Characterization of the adaptive mechanisms of grapevine rootstocks to iron deficiency induced by lime stress

From fruit set to ripening, the grape berry mesocarp experiences a wide range of dynamic physical, physiological, and biochemical changes, such as mesocarp cell death (MCD) and hydraulic isolation. The premature occurrence of such events is a characteristic of the Niagara Rosada (NR) variety, utilised as table grapes and winemaking. In our opinion, the onset of ripening would not cause MCD, but a down-regulation of respiratory enzymes during the early loss of cell viability, while maintaining membrane integrity. For this, we investigated three distinct developmental stages (green (E-L33), veraison (E-L35), and ripe (E-L39)) of NR berries by label-free proteomics, enzymatic respiratory activity and outer mesocarp imaging. Cell wall-modifying proteins were found to accumulate differently throughout ripening, while cytoplasmic membranes continue intact.

Flavonoids, including flavonols, anthocyanins, and tannins, are important contributors to grape and wine quality, and their biosynthesis is strongly influenced by bunch microclimate.

Bois noir is the most widespread phytoplasma grapevine disease in Europe. It is associated with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’. In symptomatic grapevines cv. ‘Zweigelt’ infected with ‘Ca. P. solani’ compared with uninfected grapevines, metabolic pathways associated with phosphorylated sugar production were induced both at the transcriptional level and at the level of activity of the corresponding enzymes (Dermastia et al., 2021, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22: 3531). In particular, the expression of gene coding for phosphoglucoisomerase was upregulated, resulting in increased phosphoglucoisomerase enzyme activity.

Can we cultivate grapevine without pesticides? This is a huge challenge for this emblematic crop, which is one of the largest users of plant protection products. Pesticides are mainly used to protect the vine against leaf diseases (powdery mildew, mildew, black-rot), even in organic farming, which uses copper in particular. What are the research avenues that can help eliminate pesticides today?

L’entreprise viticole Concha y Toro S.A. gère environ 600 ha de vignes dans la Vallée du Maipo (A.O. Valle del Maipo). L’objectif est celui de caractériser spatialement ces vignobles et leur occupation du sol environnante. Le choix s’est porté vers la démarche de zonage viticole par l’analyse spatiale, utilisant des traitements d’images satellitaires afin d’avoir une vision synoptique de la zone à moindres coûts et délais. Un système d’informations géographiques (SIG) est construit à partir des données suivantes : cartes topographiques, géologique, fond cadastral numérique, images satellitaires. Un modèle numérique de terrain est par ailleurs construit à une résolution de 25 m à partir des cartes topographiques.