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

There is currently a real need to improve and speed-up phenotyping in experimental set-ups to increase the number of modalities studied. Accurate information acquisition on plant status with high-throughput capacity is the main appeal of on-board systems.
A proximal sensing camera for a proxy of winter pruning weight was tested. We estimated the shoot volume of the vine by image analysis using algorithms that integrate the local shoot section area estimate along the shoot skeleton obtained by a morphological distance transform.
The study was carried out on the GreffAdapt experimental vineyard in Guyot simple training and a canopy management using vertical trellising. The planting density is 6250 vines/ha with a row spacing of 1.6×1m. Five scions grafted onto 55 rootstocks are present and the combination rootstock×scion is different every five plants.

In response to the growing demand for rapid, precise, and efficient methods of quantifying volatile compounds in alcoholic beverages, this study presents a novel approach for the determination of higher alcohols in wine, port wine, and brandy.

Melatonin is a bioactive compound with antioxidant properties, that has been found in many fermented beverages, such as beer and wine [1]. Indeed, it has been shown that yeast can synthesize melatonin during alcoholic fermentation, although its role inside the cell, as well as the metabolic pathway involved in its synthesis, is still unclear [1]. Recent studies showed that during fermentation, melatonin interacts with different proteins of the glycolytic pathway in both Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeast, for instance glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase or enolase [2].

The year-on-year rise in temperatures and the increase in extreme weather events due to climate change are already having an impact on agriculture. Among the perennial fruit species, grapevine is already negatively impacted by these events through an acceleration of its phenology, more damage from late frosts or through an increase in the sugar level of the berries (and therefore the alcoholic degree of the wine) and a decrease of acidity, impacting the wine quality. Sun’Agri, in partnership with INRAE, Chambre d’agriculture du Vaucluse, Chambre d’agriculture des Pyrénées-Orientales and IFV, developed a protection system based on dynamic agrivoltaics to protect grapevine. It consists of photovoltaic solar panels positioned above the crop, high enough not to impede the passage of agricultural machinery, and tiltable from +/- 90° to adjust the level of shading on the vineyard. These smart louvers, driven by artificial intelligence (physical models & plant growth models), are steered according to the plant’s needs and provide real climate protection.

In partnership with a Bordeaux property wanting to improve the quality of its second wine, the effects of two factors, American oak barrels and mannoproteins were studied. Their impact on the attractiveness and sweetness of wines were characterized during two successive vintages (2012 and 2013). Vinification took place with a homogeneous batch of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was then divided up into various groups of five barrels of French and American oak, new or reused. Analyses of volatile and non-volatile wood compounds were undertaken at four months and eight months of wood ageing, by LC-MS and GC-MS.