terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Functional characterisation of genetic elements regulating bunch morphology in grapevine

Functional characterisation of genetic elements regulating bunch morphology in grapevine

Abstract

Vitis vinifera L., is considered one of the world’s most important cultivated fruit crops. In agriculture, bunch morphology is a grapevine-specific trait, which directly impacts fruit quality and health.
Bunch size, shape, and compactness are major aspects of bunch morphology, with the degree of compactness emerging as an important trait for grapevine genetic enhancement and vineyard management. The importance of this trait stems from its impact on disease susceptibility, berry ripening, and other grape quality properties. However, current knowledge of the genes controlling it remains limited.
This study aims to identify and characterise genetic elements regulating grapevine bunch formation, while also providing valuable understanding of molecular and cellular regulation of this important process. This will be done by carrying out three planned objectives, summarised as: identification of candidate genes, overexpression of candidates in model plants, and genetically engineering grapevine for selected genes.
Ten candidate genes were identified based on their presence in loci associated with bunch architecture traits, expression patterns during flower development, and sequence homology with genes regulating plant architecture in other species. These genes were cloned into plant expression vectors that were used to transform tomato and Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The research anticipates observing phenotypic evidence in the transformed model plants, which may suggest a potential role in grapevine bunch architecture regulation. The identification and characterisation of genes controlling bunch morphology offer promising avenues for advancing grapevine breeding and cultivation practices, benefiting the viticulture industry and consumers alike, by improving growth, health, and fruit production.

DOI:

Publication date: June 13, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Poster

Authors

Kerry-Ann Jordaan1*, Manuela Campa1, Luca Nerva2, Johan Burger1, Justin Lashbrooke1

1Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, P/Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
2Research Centre for Viticulture and Oenology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile, 31015 Conegliano (TV), Italy

Contact the author*

Keywords

bunch morphology, overexpression, grapevine, compactness, transformation

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Climate change projections in serbian wine-growing regions

Changes in bioclimatic indices in wine-growing region of Serbia are analyzed under the RCP 8.5 IPCC scenario.

Functionality of different inter-stimulus rinse protocols for the sensory analysis of wildfire affected wines

From the effect of global climate change, wildfire occurrence during grape ripening has increased. These wildfires produce smoke that can carry organic compounds to a vineyard. These smoke compounds are adsorbed in the grape berry and result in wines with elevated levels of smoke-related phenols. These wines are described as having a smokey, burnt, and dirty aroma (Kristic et al, 2015). Not only are volatile phenols carried by smoke, but additionally glycoconjugate forms of these phenols are present as will. These have been found to have a large impact on the flavor of wines, being the cause of a lasting ashy aftertaste post consumption (Parker et al, 2012). When evaluating the sensory profile of these wines when tasted one after the other, there is an observed problem due to the lasting nature of these undesirable attributes and high level of carry-over from sample to sample. The aim of this work is to evaluate the extent this carryover occurs, along with the best sensory practices to mitigate its influence via different inter-stimulus rinse protocols.

VOLATILE, PHENOLIC AND COLORIMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THREE DIFFERENT LAMBRUSCO APPELLATIONS

Lambrusco is a commercially successful sparkling red and rosé wine. With 13.06 million litres sold in 2021 was the second best-selling Italian wine after Chianti. According to National Catalogue of Vine Varieties there are thirteen Lambrusco Varieties with which to date are produced seven PDO wines. Among these, “Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce”, “Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro” and “Lambrusco di Sorbara” are the only ones that can be considered mono-varietal appellations, all located in Modena area. The PDOs contemplate the possibility of producing wines by secondary fermentation either in tank (Charmat method), or in bottle (Classico method). Sur lie is a third method commonly employed for Lambrusco, similar to the Classico method, from which differs for the absence of disgorgement.

THE ODORIFEROUS VOLATILE CHEMICALS BEHIND THE OXIDATIVE AROMA DEGRADATION OF SPANISH RED WINES

It is a well-established fact that premature oxidation is noxious for wine aromatic quality and longevity. Although some oxidation-related aroma molecules have been previously identified, there are not works carrying out systematic research about the changes in the profiles of odour-active volatiles during wine oxidation.

The problem of the increasing pH in sparkling wines caused by climate change: use of cationic exchange to correct it

In recent years, the increase in temperature and the changes in rainfall distribution caused by climate change are affecting vine and grape physiology and are consequently impacting wine composition and quality (Schultz, 2000; Jones et al., 2005).