Climate variability and its effects in the Penedès vineyard region (NE Spain)

Grapevine is subject to multiple stresses, either biotic or abiotic, frequently in combination. These stresses may negatively impact the health status of plants and reduce yields. For biotic stress, grapevine is affected by numerous pest and diseases such as downy and powdery mildews, grey mold, black rot, grapevine fanleaf virus and trunk diseases (namely GTDs). The interaction between grapevine and pathogens is relatively complex and linked to various pathogenicity factors including cell-wall-degrading enzymes (especially CAZymes) and phytotoxic secondary metabolites, growth regulators, effectors proteins, and fungal viruses.

Il settore primario, ed in particolare quello agricolo, sta attraversando un periodo partico­larmente delicato. Sia gli aspetti della produzione che quelli della commercializzazione ven­gono infatti messi in discussione da nuovi indirizzi economici e tecnologici.

In grape berry pedicel, xylem hydraulic conductance can be impaired by blockage deposition in the lumen of xylem elements. However, the varietal difference of the interruptions has not yet been characterized. In this preliminary work, we utilized synchrotron x-ray computed microtomography experiments performed at MOGNO beamline (LNLS – Brazil) to identify possible blockage sites in natural grape pedicel xylem. For this, we imaged dehydrated pedicel’s stem portion from the Niagara Rosada variety in three different phenological stages (Pre-veraison (PreV), veraison (V) and post-veraison (PostV). The reconstructed tridimensional images with a voxel size of 1.16 µm were segmented for the identification of xylem vessel lumens. After analysing one pedicel stem per stage, we identified 658 vessels without occlusion throughout his axial plane and 41 in which we could identify possible interruptions.

Ultra-High Pressure Homogenization (UHPH) is an innovative technology that can be seamlessly integrated at various stages of winemaking. Its application helps minimize or even eliminate the need for sulphites and other antimicrobial or antioxidant treatments, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative.

Germicidal ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light has shown promising results for suppression of several plant-pathogenic microorganims, including Erysiphe necator, which attacks grapevine. In Washington State the majority of winegrape production is in a semi-arid steppe environment, with historically low powdery mildew disease pressure, making it a promising area to deploy UV-C as a disease management tool. Trials focusing on UVC application timing and frequency will assist in developing regionally-appropriate application recommendations for eastern Washington State.