Rare earth elements distribution in grape berries

Green cover in vine rows provides many ecological services, but can also negatively impact the crop, depending on the weed species. The composition of a vineyard weed community is influenced by many parameters. Ensuring an evolution of the vine row flora into a desired direction is therefore very complex. A key step towards this goal is to know which factors influence the establishment of the weed community and which types of communities are best suited for vineyards. In this study, we analysed the weed communities of several vineyards in the Lake Geneva region (379 botanical surveys on 117 plots), with the aim to highlight the links between soil management practices (chemical and mechanical weeding, mowing, mulching roll) and phytosociological profiles, biodiversity and selected functional traits (growth forms, life strategies, root depth). T

The northern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla) is one of the most prevalent plant-parasitic nematodes affecting Washington State Vitis vinifera vineyards. This nematode induces small galls on roots, restricting water and nutrient uptake. In new vineyards this can impede establishment. In existing vineyards, it can exacerbate decline in chronically stressed vines. While preplant fumigation is a common strategy for M. hapla management, its efficacy is temporary and relies on broad-spectrum chemicals that undergo frequent regulatory scrutiny. The trap crop litchi tomato (Solanum sisymbriifolium) showed promise in reducing plant-parasitic nematode densities in potato. This prompted field greenhouse experiments to evaluate its potential to reduce M. hapla in V. vinifera.

Grapevine is one of the most-frequently phytosanitary treated crop systems. Consequently, restrictions have been applied by the European Commission on the number of pesticide treatments and the maximum quantity of copper fungicides allowed per year. Moreover, there is a need and an increasing demand for more ecological-sustainable agricultural products.
Seaweeds are currently used as fertilizers in viticulture, as they have been proven to be beneficial in several ways related to growth and nutrition.

Micro(mi)RNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate several pathways and are widely recognised as key players in plant development, tissue differentiation, and many other important physiological processes, including plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. The release of plant genomes and the application of high throughput sequencing have considerably extended miRNA discovery across many species, including grapevine (Vitis spp.). Despite their relevance in plant development, functional studies in grapevine to clarify the function of miRNAs are not yet available. Through the grapevine genetic improvement platform IMPROVIT at CNR-IPSP (http://www.ipsp.cnr.it/en/thematics/turin-headquarter-thematics/improvit/), we developed integrated approaches to discover miRNA function in grapevine.

Brettanomyces bruxellensis is considered as the main spoilage yeast in oenology. Its presence in red wine leads to off-flavour due to the production of volatile phenols such as 4-vinylphenol, 4-vinylguaiacol, 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol, whose aromatic notes are unpleasant (e.g. animal, leather, horse or pharmaceutical). Beside wine, B. bruxellensis is commonly isolated from beer, kombucha and bioethanol production, where its role can be described as negative or positive. Recent genomic studies unveiled the existence of various populations.