DNA-free editing to improve stress resilience of wine grape genotypes recalcitrant-to-regeneration

In contrast to fruit and grape berry ripening, the biological processes causing ripening disorders are often much less understood, although shriveling disorders of fruits are manifold and contribute to yield losses and reduced fruit quality worldwide. Shrinking berries are a common feature for all shriveling disorders in grapevine although their timing of appearance during the berry ripening process and their underlying induction processes distinct them from each other. The sugar accumulation disorder Berry Shrivel (BS) is characterized by a suppression of sugar accumulation short after veraison resulting in berries low in sugar content and anthocyanins in berry skins, while the organic acid content is similar. Recent studies analyzed the biochemical, morphological and molecular processes affected in BS berries and linked early changes to the period of ripening onset [1,2].

Recurring heat and drought episodes during the growing season can produce adverse impacts on grape production in many wine regions around the world.

In modern viticulture, sustainability must be considered not only into the winery, but in the vineyard as well, being that with the most attentive interventions in order to protect the environment. In this context, the new “fungi resistant” varieties represent a valid option for reducing the negative environmental impact of agrochemicals used in viticulture, including those ones used in organic farming (given the copper accumulation into soils). Several application studies have demonstrated the enological validity of many resistant varieties, both in price and as a blend. Also, under the production point of view, the feasibility and economical sustainability of the new resistant varieties was verified. The aim of this work was to deepen the knowledge on the organoleptic characteristics of wines obtained from the Fleurtai and Soreli varieties and to compare them with the wine obtained from Tocai Friulano, the mother variety in the area destined for the production of the Lison Classico DOCG appellation. The purpose of the work is then to verify the possibility of introducing resistant varieties into the DOCG while maintaining the wine name of the appellation linked to the territory.

Effective control with fungicides is essential to protect grapevine from downy mildew, a devastating disease caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola. Managing this disease faces challenges in maintaining fungicide efficacy as the number of modes of action decreases and the risk of fungicide resistance increases. Long-term measures should address strains resistant to multiple modes of action, that can be selected by the repeated use of single-site fungicides. For these reasons, a precision management of the disease, that considers the selection of the best fungicide schedule according to the sensitivity profile of the pathogen population, is needed.

A white wine model solution (12% v/v ethanol, 4 g/L tartaric acid, pH 3.2) was used to assess wine colloidal instability as well as the influence of several wine components on bentonite performance in protein removal.