terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Spatial variability of grape berry maturation program at the molecular level 

Spatial variability of grape berry maturation program at the molecular level 

Abstract

The application of sensors in viticulture is a fast and efficient method to monitor grapevine vegetative, yield and quality parameters and determine their spatial intra-vineyard variability. Molecular analysis at the gene expression level can further contribute to the understanding of the observed variability by elucidating how pathways responsible for different grape quality traits behave in zones diverging for one or the other parameter. The intra-vineyard variability of a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard was evaluated by a standard Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) mapping approach, employing UAV platform, accompanied by detailed ground-truthing (e.g. vegetative, yield, and berry ripening compositional parameters) that was applied in 14 spots in the vineyard. Berries from different spots were additionally investigated by microarray gene expression analysis, performed at five time points from fruit set to full ripening. The relationships between NDVI and ground measurements were explored by correlation analysis and revealed high variability in the vineyard. Comparison between the transcriptome data of spots with the highest and lowest NDVI values unraveled 968 differentially expressed genes. Among them, were ripening-related genes, found to feature the low vigor spots, and genes involved in photosynthesis mechanisms that were prevalent in the high vigor spots. Spatial variability maps of the expression level of key berry ripening genes showed consistent patterns, aligned with the vineyard vigor map and with spatial maps generated for several vine and berry parameters. These insights suggest that berries from different vigor zones present distinct molecular maturation programs, hence, showing potential in predicting spatial variability in fruit quality.

DOI:

Publication date: June 14, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Article

Authors

Ron Shmuleviz1*, Alessandra Amato1, Pietro Previtali2, Elizabeth Green2, Luis Sanchez2, Maria Mar Alsina2, Nick Dokoozlian2, Giovanni Battista Tornielli1,3 and Marianna Fasoli1

1 Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona (VR), Italy
2 E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA 95354, USA
3 Current address: Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and  Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.

Contact the author*

Keywords

berry ripening, vegetation indices, gene expression analysis, sensors, precision viticulture

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Deciphering the function and regulation of VviEPFL9 paralogs to modulate stomatal density in grapevine through New Genomic Techniques

Stomata are microscopic pores mainly located in leaf epidermis, allowing gas exchanges between plants and atmosphere. Stomatal initiation relies on the transcription factor SPEECHLESS which is mainly regulated by the MAP kinase cascade, in turn controlled by small signaling peptides, the Epidermal Patterning Factors (EPF and EPF-Like), namely EPF1, EPF2 and EPFL9. While EPF1 and EPF2 induce the inhibition of SPEECHLESS, their antagonist, EPFL9, stabilizes it, leading to stomatal formation. In grapevine, there are two paralogs for EPFL9, VviEPFL9-1 and VviEPFL9-2. Despite their structural similarity, it remains unclear whether they are differentially regulated and have distinct roles.

Proteomic profiling of grape berry presenting early loss of mesocarp cell vitality

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.

Grape solids: new advances on the understanding of their role in enological alcoholic fermentation

Residual grape solids (suspended particles) in white and rosé musts vary depending on the clarification pro-cess. These suspended solids contain lipids (more especially phytosterols) that are essential for yeast meta-bolism and viability during fermentation in anaerobic conditions.

Selecting varieties best adapted to current and future climate conditions based on ripening traits

Aim: The aim of this study was to quantify key berry sugar accumulation traits and characterize their plasticity in response to climate variation from data collected from different cultivars over seven years from an experimental vineyard.

A predictive model of spatial Eca variability in the vineyard to support the monitoring of plant status

[lwp_divi_breadcrumbs home_text="IVES" use_before_icon="on" before_icon="||divi||400" module_id="publication-ariane" _builder_version="4.19.4" _module_preset="default" module_text_align="center" module_font_size="16px" text_orientation="center"...