Exploring zoxamide sensitivity in Plasmopara viticola populations: implications for fungicide management in precision agriculture

Grapevine cultivars are vegetatively propagated to maintain their varietal attributes. However, spontaneous somatic variation emerges during prolonged periods of vegetative growth, providing an opportunity for the natural improvement of traditional grapevine cultivars. Notably, reduction in bunch compactness is a favorable trait in viticulture, offering advantages such as decreased susceptibility to bunch fungal diseases, and a more uniform ripening of berries. To unravel the genetic and developmental mechanisms behind bunch compactness variation, we examined a somatic variant of Tempranillo Tinto cultivar with loose bunches. We found that the mutant clone exhibits a ~50% reduction in pollen viability compared to typical Tempranillo clones.

Grafting Vitis vinifera L. (wine traditional cultivars) onto North American grapevine species or hybrids is a common practice in viticulture given their tolerance against phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae). However, rootstock genetic background affects the response of grapevines to environmental stresses and their ability for establishing a symbiotic relationship with the microbial communities, and more specifically with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).
The aim of this study was to evaluate Monastrell variety (clone ENTAV 369) grafted onto three rootstocks (140Ru, 110R and RG8) characterized by a different genetic background, in combination with AMF inoculation (Rhizophagus irregularis) vs. a non-inoculated control with regards to vegetative growth, leaf gas exchange parameters, and mycorrhization.

The introduction of new grapevine varieties has long accompanied viticulture and enology, enabling the emergence of new wine styles and ensuring the continuity of oenological practice.

The postharvest dehydration of grapes is a traditional practice to obtain wines with unique traits (e.g., sweet, dry/reinforced).

Stable isotopes of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) provide valuable integrative indicators of grapevine water status (Gaudillère et al., 2002; van Leeuwen et al., 2023) and nitrogen metabolism (Santesteban et al., 2015, (Santesteban et al., 2024).