Artificial intelligence (AI)-based protein modeling for the interpretation of grapevine genetic variants

Variegation, a frequently observed trait in plants, is characterized by the occurrence of white or discoloured plant tissue. This phenomenon is attributed to genetic mosaicism or chimerism, potentially impacting the epidermal (L1) and subepidermal (L2) cell layers. In grapevine, variegation manifests as white or paler leaf, flower, or berry tissues, often leading to stunted growth and impeded development. Despite its prevalence, variegation in grapevines remains understudied.

During wine alcoholic fermentation, yeasts produce volatile aroma compounds from sugar and nitrogen metabolism. Some of the metabolic pathways leading to these compounds have been known for more than a century.

Epidermal Patterning Factors are a class of cysteine rich peptides known to be involved in many developmental processes. The role of EPF1, EPF2 and EPFL9 in controlling leaf stomata formation has been well described in model plants and cereals, and recently also in grapevine, while little is known about their activity in other organs. The aim of our study is to investigate whether VviEPFL9-2 can have a specific biological function in grapevine roots, where it resulted to be expressed. As grapevine is cultivated in the form of a grafted plant, we focused our study on the commonly used rootstock Kober 5BB (Vitis berlandieri x Vitis riparia). VviEPFL9-2 was edited in Kober 5BB plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation of embryogenic calli and the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The phenotypic evaluation in greenhouse indicated that, as expected, the leaves of knock-out (KO) plants have a significant lower stomatal density compared to WT, associated with a lower stomatal conductance.

En vue d’une production économique de qualités des raisins optimales une connaissance des informations les plus différentes est importante. Les nouvelles technologies, telles qu’un SIG permettent de réunir les informations sur le terrain, la nature du sol, le danger d’érosion, le climat, la végétation, l’hydrographie, l’apparition de nuisible et de maladies, etc. Sur la base de cartes topographiques un SIG permet une vaste analyse, une appréciation des rapports complexes ainsi qu’une représentation cartographique. Sur la base de modélisations en trois dimensions du terrain avec le SIG, les ensembles de données saisies ainsi que leur classification au niveau local peuvent être utilisés dans la production de zonages régionaux.

The composition in condensed tannins of the grape berries is essential for the quality of the harvest. Proanthocyanidins have a significant influence on the organoleptic properties of the red wines