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…

Effects of long-term drought stress on soil microbial communities from a Syrah cultivar vineyard

Changes in the rainfall and temperature patterns affect the increase of drought periods becoming one of the major constraints to assure agricultural and crop resilience in the Mediterranean regions. Beside the adaptation of agricultural practices, also the microbial compartment associated to plants should be considered in the crop management. It is known that the microbial community change according to several factors such as soil composition, agricultural management system, plant variety and rootstock.

Read More

Identification of a stable epi-allele associated with flower development and low bunch compactness in a somatic variant of Tempranillo Tinto

Grapevine cultivars are vegetatively propagated to preserve their varietal characteristics. However, spontaneous somatic variations that occur and are maintained during cycles of vegetative growth offer opportunities for the natural improvement of traditional grape cultivars. One advantageous trait for winegrowing is reduced bunch compactness, which decreases the susceptibility to pests and fungal diseases and favor an even berry ripening.

Read More

Cover crop management and termination timing have different effects on the maturation and water potentials of Glera (Vitis vinifera L.) in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Inter-row soil tillage in vineyards, stimulates vigor and production due to the absence of competition for water and nutrients, however negatively affects organic matter content, soil erosion, and compaction, resulting in reduced fertility. In this study, we investigated the effects of different cover crop management approaches, including cultivation type and termination timing, on the physiological and productive responses of a Glera vineyard.
The experimental trial was conducted in Precenicco (UD) from 2019 to 2021. A commercial mixture for autumn cover cropping was sown in alternating rows, and the sowing pattern was changed each year.

Read More

“Compost Application in the Vineyard: Effects on Soil Nutrition and Compaction”

The mechanization of pruning and harvesting in vineyards has increased the risk of soil compaction. To reclaim soil properties or avoid this degradation process, it is crucial to properly manage the soil organic matter, and the application of compost derived from the vines themselves is a strategy to achieve this. The objective of this study was to evaluate the properties of soil treated with different doses of compost applied both on the vine row and the inter rows of a Vitis vinifera crop.

Read More

Entomopathogenic nematodes application for controlling Lobesia botrana in grapevine and their impact on grapevine quality 

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are well-known biological control agents combined with specific adjuvants that now allow their use against aerial pests. Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the major harmful pests detected in worldwide vineyards. Previous studies demonstrated that the EPNs Steinernema feltiae and S. carpocapsae could control L. botrana. The hypothesis was that the best combination of EPN-adjuvant/timing (season/temperatures) will support the use of EPN in the vineyard against L. botrana with no impact on the grape performance.

Read More