Digitalization and valorization of the genotypic and phenotypic information retained within the FEM grapevine germplasm

Grape downy mildew, caused by plasmopara viticola, is one of the main diseases affecting viticulture worldwide and its control usually relies on frequent sprays with agrochemicals. Grapevine varieties resistant to p. Viticola represent an effective solution to control downy mildew and reduce the environmental impact of viticulture. Loci of resistance to p. Viticola (Rpv) have been introgressed from wild vitis species and some of them, like Rpv1, Rpv3.1 and Rpv10, are currently the most utilized genetic resources in grape breeding.

Context and purpose of the study. Modern viticulture is facing significant challenges due to global climate changes, spanning from extreme heat spells and water scarcity to the acceleration of grapevine’s phenological development with important consequences from budbreak to harvest.

Upgrading wine industry solid wastes is considered as one of the main strategies to support the circular economy. Red grape pomaces constitute a rich source of polyphenols, which have been shown to possess antioxidant properties and to provide benefits for human and animal health. The objective of this work was to obtain and characterise polyphenolic extracts from red grape pomaces via green supercritical CO₂ extraction using ethanol as a co-solvent, and to evaluate their antibacterial activity against susceptible and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains of animal intestinal origin.

 Temperatures are increasing due to climate change leading to advances in grapevine phenology and sugar accumulation in grape berries.

Climate change impacts water availability for agriculture, notably in semi-arid regions like South Africa, necessitating research on cultivar and rootstock adaptability to water constraints. To evaluate the performance (vegetative and reproductive) of different Chenin Blanc-rootstock combinations to the two water regimes, a field experiment was established in a model vineyard at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Chenin Blanc vines grafted onto four different rootstocks (110Richter, 99Richter, 1103Paulsen and US 8-7) were planted in 2020. The vines are managed under two contrasting water conditions – dryland and irrigated (industry norm).