Characterization of vine vigor by ground based NDVI measurements

Drought is one of the main challenges for viticulture in the context of global change. The choice of rootstock could be leveraged for vineyard adaptation to drought as we can improve plant performance without modifying the scion variety. However, most of the existing rootstocks, selected over a century ago, have a narrow genetic background which could compromise their adaptive potential.

Flavonoids, including flavonols, anthocyanins, and tannins, are important contributors to grape and wine quality, and their biosynthesis is strongly influenced by bunch microclimate.

In a framework in which climate change is increasingly recognized as a critical global challenge, traditional viticulture must be reconsidered in order to provide better solutions for future needs [1].

The vast majority of our understanding of grapevine physiology is focused on the processes that occur during the growing season. Though not obvious, winter physiological changes are dynamic and complex, and have great influence on the survival and phenology of grapevines. In cool and cold climates, winter temperatures are a constant threat to vine survival. Additionally, as climate changes, grapevine production is moving toward more traditionally cool and cold climates, either latitudinal or altitudinal in location. Our research focuses on understanding how grapevines navigate winter physiological changes and how temperature impacts aspects of cold hardiness and dormancy. Through these studies, we have gained keen insight into the connections between winter temperature, maximum cold haridness, and budbreak phenology, that can be used to develop prediction models for viticulture in a changing climate.

Context and purpose. The vine is a holobiont, where the plant interacts positively, negatively, and neutrally with microbes that together form the vine’s microbiome.