terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Congress on Grapevine and Wine Sciences 9 2ICGWS-2023 9 Early defoliation positively enhances bioactive composition of berries with no effect on cuticle characteristics

Early defoliation positively enhances bioactive composition of berries with no effect on cuticle characteristics

Abstract

Leaf removal in the fruit-zone has been employed to improve cluster light exposure and ventilation and therefore increase metabolite accumulation and reduce botrytis incidence in berries. When applied before flowering (early defoliation – ED), it can also decrease cluster compactness and regulate yield in high-yielding varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ED on the physiology and metabolism of Aragonez (syn. Tempranillo) berries along the ripening period. The experiment was set up in 2013 at a commercial vineyard located in the Lisbon winegrowing region. ED was compared to a control non-defoliated (ND). Berry temperature was continuously monitored and normal heat hours (NHH) were calculated. Photosynthetic active radiation at cluster level (PARcluster) was monitored at five phenological stages (green berry (GB), pea size (PS), veraison (VER), mid-ripening (MR) and full maturation (FM). Various berry parameters were monitored: sugars, acidity, wax content, berry permeance, flavonoid compounds, abscisic acid (ABA) and related metabolites. As compared to ND, ED induced ~80% increase in PARcluster, and higher NHH. Consequently, accumulated temperatures above 35ºC were higher in ED than in ND. No differences in anthocyanin compounds were observed at FM, however, in ED the glucoside forms of anthocyanins reached their maximum concentration at MR. A high correlation was found between anthocyanins and NHH (r>0.83, p<0.01) as well as between flavonols and PARcluster (r=0.73, p<0.05). ABA was slightly higher in ND than in ED for the same NHH and after VER, ABA decreased faster in ED than in ND. ABA-GE increased exponentially from VER, reaching its maximum at MR in ND, while in ED it continued to accumulate through FM. Neither the wax content nor the cuticle permeance were affected by the ED treatment. Overall, ED induced changes in cluster-zone thermal and light microclimate which impacted berry ripening metabolism.

Acknowledgements: This research received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013), grant agreement nº 311775, Project Innovine.

DOI:

Publication date: October 16, 2023

Issue: ICGWS 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Olfa Zarrouk1,2, Ricardo Egipto2,3, Carla Pinheiro4, Cecilia Brunetti5,6, Antonella Gori6, Massimiliano Tattini5, M. Manuela Chaves1, Carlos M. Lopes2

1 Plant Molecular Ecophysiology Laboratory. Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica (ITQB), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
2 LEAF—Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Center, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
3 INIAV – Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Polo de Inovação de Dois Portos, 2565-191 Dois Portos, Portugal
4 Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
5 IPSP – Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
6 DAGRI – Department of Agriculture, Environment, Food and Forestry, University of Florence, Viale delle Idee 30, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy

Contact the author*

Keywords

ABA metabolism, anthocyanins, flavonols,
normal heat hours, Vitis vinifera, waxes

Tags

2ICGWS | ICGWS | ICGWS 2023 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Nitrogen forms and Iron deficiency: how do Grapevine rootstocks responses change?

Grapevine rootstocks provide protection against environmental biotic and abiotic stresses. Nitrogen (N) and iron (Fe) are growth-limiting factors in many crop plants due to their effects on the chlorophyll and photosynthetic characteristics. Iron nutrition of plants can be significantly affected by different nitrogen forms through altering the uptake ratio of cations and anions, and changing rhizosphere pH. The aim of this study was to investigate the response mechanisms of grapevine rootstocks due to the interaction between different nitrogen forms and iron uptake.

Read More

The tolerance of grapevine rootstocks to water deficit is related to root morphology and xylem anatomy traits 

Climate change is altering water balances, thereby compromising water availability for crops. In grapevine, the strategic selection of genotypes more tolerant to soil water deficit can improve the resilience of the vineyard under this scenario. Previous studies demonstrated that root anatomical and morphological traits determine vine performance under water deficit conditions. Therefore, 13 ungrafted rootstock genotypes, 6 commercial (420 A, 41 B, Evex 13-5, Fercal, 140 Ru y 110 R), and 7 from new breeding programs (RG2, RG3, RG4, RG7, RG8, RG9 and RM2) were evaluated in pots during 2021 and 2022.

Read More

Uncovering the interplay between Copper and SO2 tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

[lwp_divi_breadcrumbs home_text="IVES" use_before_icon="on" before_icon="||divi||400" module_id="publication-ariane" _builder_version="4.20.4" _module_preset="default" module_text_align="center" module_font_size="16px" text_orientation="center"...
Read More

Towards a better understanding of cultivar susceptibility to esca disease: results from a pluriannual common garden monitoring

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) exhibits a high level of genetic and phenotypic diversity among the approximately 6000 cultivars recorded. This perennial crop is highly vulnerable to numerous fungal diseases, including esca, which is a complex vascular pathology that poses a significant threat to the wine sector, as there is currently no cost-efficient curative method[1]. In this context, an effective approach to mitigate the impact of such diseases is by leveraging the crop’s genetic diversity. Indeed, susceptibility to esca disease appears to vary between cultivars, under artificial or natural infection. However, the mechanisms and varietal characteristics underlying cultivar susceptibility to esca are still unknown.

Read More

The effect of ozonated water treatment on the metabolic profile and resistance of vines to Downy and powdery mildew 

Ozone is a potent oxidizing compound that quickly decomposes into oxygen without residues. Previous works reported that ozone is not only a disinfectant that directly harms the pathogens of the vine but also activates systemic defense systems in the plant by activating oxidative stress. We assume these systemic defense mechanisms are essential to the vines’ resistance to downy and powdery mildew (Plasmopara viticola & Erysiphe necator, respectively). The goals of the research are to examine the effect of spraying with ozone water on the plant’s resistance against the mentioned pathogens as well as to characterize the metabolic profile of the plants treated with ozone as well as physiological characteristics in the vines such as the level of Photosynthesis and crop yield. Vines in the vineyard sprayed with ozone water at concentrations of 2 and 4 PPM weekly and biweekly, untreated control & conventional spray. Leaves were taken from vines 2,4,7,9 and 11 days after exposure to ozone and inoculated with the pathogens.

Read More