terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Characterization of berry softening and sugar accumulation dynamics in a slow-ripening genotype and its response to abscisic acid treatments

Characterization of berry softening and sugar accumulation dynamics in a slow-ripening genotype and its response to abscisic acid treatments

Abstract

In the current viticultural context, global warming leads to advanced and possibly accelerated ripening which can alter the balance among desirable grape quality traits sought for winemaking. Evaluation of genetic material that displays delayed and/or slower ripening could uncover a potential “slow ripening” trait for incorporation into commercial varieties through breeding. In this study, we evaluated a white-fruited selection discovered in the Grape Breeding and Genetics program at E. & J. Gallo Winery that displayed an unusual ripening pattern compared to standard varieties. Vines of the slow-ripening selection did not differ in their visual appearance, water status or gas exchange characteristics compared to vines of its normal-ripening sibling. Sugar accumulation, berry growth and berry firmness were monitored weekly during ripening for two consecutive years to characterize differences in fruit maturation rate between the selections. Compared to the normal-ripening selection, the slow-ripening selection exhibited a 30-day delay in the onset of ripening and required longer to complete veraison, resulting in an extended lag phase. This was confirmed by berry firmness measurements, which revealed that berry softening was delayed and occurred at a reduced rate in the slow ripening selection. Exogenous abscisic acid treatments partially restored normal rates of ripening, but timing and dosage effects were observed. In this attempt to explore the slow ripening trait of grapes we discovered a possible imbalance in the hormone pool thought responsible for the onset of ripening. Further investigations are required to fully characterize and quantify this trait.

DOI:

Publication date: June 13, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Article

Authors

Pietro Previtali1*, Kenneth Shackel2, Peter Cousins1, Nick Dokoozlian1

1 Winegrowing Research, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, 95354 CA
2 Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, 95616 CA

Contact the author*

Keywords

berry softening, climate change, slow ripening, sugar accumulation, veraison

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Unconventional methods to delve deeper into the influence of temperature and nutrition on Chardonnay wine profiles

Temperature and yeast nutrition profoundly impact wine quality and sensory attributes by modulating yeast aroma production and release during fermentation. While temperature and nitrogen’s individual effects are well-studied, their combined influence, including nutrient type and addition timing, remains underexplored. hence, this study aimed to investigate the simultaneous effects of these factors on fermentation kinetics, aroma production and sensory profile, particularly in a Chardonnay wine production selected as a quite aromatically neutral base.

Balearic varieties of grapevine: study of genetic variability in the response to water stress

The photosynthetic characteristics of twenty varieties of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) from Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) and two widespread varieties

Carbon isotope discrimination in berry juice sugars: changes in response to soil water deficits across a range of vitis vinifera cultivars

In wine producing regions around the world, climate change has the potential to decrease the frequency and amount of precipitation and increase average and extreme temperatures. This will lower soil water availability and increase evaporative demand, thereby increasing the frequency and intensity of water deficit experienced in vineyards. Among other things, grapevines manage water deficit by regulating stomatal closure. The dynamics of this regulation, however, have not been well characterized across the range of Vitis vinifera cultivars. Providing a method to understand how different cultivars regulate their stomata, and hence water use in response to changes in soil water deficits will help growers manage vineyards and select plant material to better meet quality and yield objectives in a changing climate.

Distribution analysis of myo and scyllo-inositol in natural grape must

s it is well known, myo and scyllo-inositol are two characteristic sugars of grape must and, for this reason, their quantification has been proposed to control the authenticity of the concentrated and rectificated grape must.

Model-assisted analysis of the root traits underlying RSA genotypic diversity in Vitis: a promising approach for rootstock selection?

By dissecting the root system architecture (RSA) into its underpinning components (e.g. root emission, axial growth, radial growth, branching, root direction or tropism) and identifying the relationships between them, functional-structural 3D root models are promising tools for analyzing the diversity and complexity of root system phenotypes with Genotype × Environment interactions. The model parameters are assumed to be synthetic traits, less influenced by the environment, and consequently with less polygenic architectures than the integrative RSA traits they drive. Root models can serve as a basis for in silico development of root system ideotypes by highlighting the developmental processes and parameters that most likely influence RSA fitness.