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…

Using climate services to project grapevine varietal adequation under climate change – application to cv. Tempranillo in the Douro wine region

Vine growth circumstances are becoming warmer and drier because of climate change. Higher temperatures advance ripening to a point in the season less conducive to the production of fine wine, while drought reduces yields (Van Leeuwen et al., 2019). Several wine-producing regions around the world have already recognized threats to their viticultural viability (Santos et al., 2020). An economical and cost-effective strategy for adaptation is the employment of late-ripening, drought-resistant plant material (varieties, clones, and rootstocks).

A study on the oenological potentiality of the territory of a cooperative winery in Valpolicella (Italy)

A 3-year zoning study promoted by the Cooperative Winery Valpolicella (Negrar, Verona, Italy) was carried out on a wine territory of about 500 ha.

Impact of press fractioning on current and phenolic compositions of Pinot noir and Pinot meunier wines

In the Champagne’s region, a complete press cycle is a series of pressure increases (squeezes) and decreases (returns). After alcoholic fermentation, the two wines (the “cuvee” and the “tailles”) obtained from grape juice fractions exhibit strong differences for numerous characteristics. Nevertheless, there is no study of the impact of the press cycle, followed after each pressure increase (22-28 steps), on wine colour, current analyses and phenolic composition. So, the aim of this study (vintage 2020) was to investigate the composition changes of Pinot noir and Pinot meunier wines, produced from 22-28 grape juices isolated for each complete pressing cycle.

Phenology and bioclimate of grapevine varieties in the tropical region of the São Francisco Valley, Brazil

La région de la Vallée du São Francisco, situe à 9º S, est en train d’augmenter la production des vins fins les dernières années. La région présente climat du type tropical semi-aride (climat viticole à variabilité intra-annuelle selon le Système CCM Géoviticole : “très chaud, à nuits chaudes et à sécheresse forte à sub-humide” en fonction

Stability of 3-mercaptohexanol during white wine storage in relationship to must pre-fermentative fining

3-Mercaptohexanol (3MH) is a volatile thiol occurring in several white and red wines, where it can contribute to fruity attributes. Its content is typically high in wines from certain grape varieties, in particular Sauvignon blanc, where it is considered a varietal marker. The strong nucleophilic character of thiols makes 3MH rather unstable during wine storage, due to the presence of several strong electrophilic species. Among these electrophilics, those arising from the oxidation of flavan3-ols such as catechin and epi-catechin have been indicated as critical for 3MH stability. Accordingly, there is a generalized interest towards the ability of vinification practices to reduce 3MH loss during aging through the management of wine flavan-3-ols content.