Environmental effects on the secondary metabolites of PIWI cultivars across different locations in Italy

Abstract

Grapevine breeding programs aim to develop cultivars that combine high productivity, oenological quality, disease resistance, and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. In the context of climate change and increasing pressure from pathogens such as Plasmopara viticola, traditional viticultural systems face significant sustainability challenges, reinforcing the need for innovative varietal strategies. Metabolomics has emerged as a powerful approach to elucidate plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses by integrating complex metabolic pathways. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the secondary metabolite profiles of four PIWI grapevine cultivars (Termantis, Nermantis, Charvir, and Valnosia) grown across six viticultural regions in Italy, using metabolomic analyses of polyphenols, volatile organic compounds, and anthocyanins. The results revealed a strong genotype × environment interaction shaping the metabolic profiles of the cultivars. Charvir, Valnosia, and Nermantis exhibited high phenotypic plasticity, with marked variations in secondary metabolite composition across environments, whereas Termantis displayed greater metabolic stability, suggesting higher technological predictability. PIWI cultivars showed wide diversity in polyphenolic compounds, volatiles, and anthocyanins, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenes such as resveratrol, which are directly associated with grape and wine color, astringency, acidity, stability, and aromatic complexity. Volatile compounds were key determinants of cultivar-specific aromatic profiles, reinforcing their relevance to sensory quality. Overall, the findings demonstrate that edaphoclimatic conditions play a decisive role in modulating grape metabolite composition and highlight phenotypic plasticity as a crucial adaptive trait in PIWI cultivars. Moreover, the reduced fungicide requirements associated with these cultivars underscore their strong potential for sustainable viticultural systems. The metabolic stability of Termantis and the adaptive flexibility of the other cultivars provide valuable insights for cultivar selection across diverse production contexts. These results offer robust scientific support for the adoption of PIWI cultivars in both traditional and emerging viticultural regions, including Brazil, contributing to innovation, resilience, and sustainability in the wine sector.

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Acknowledgements

FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISADO ESTADO DE SÂO PAULO – FAPESP.