Climate change projections point to an increase of temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns in the mediterranean region.
Viticulture is a key economic sector in the mediterranean region. However, climate change is affecting global viticulture, increasing the frequency of heatwaves and drought events.
Grapevine naturally endures stresses like heat, drought, and hypoxia. A recent study showed very low oxygen levels inside grape berries, linked to ethanol content.
Increasingly pronounced climate changes, including prolonged drought periods, pose a significant challenge to the cultivation of table grape varieties.
Drought events can strongly affect grapevine and berry physiology and subsequent wine quality, as widely demonstrated in controlled experiments.
Context and purpose of the study. Leaf osmotic adjustment (i.e., active accumulation of osmolytes in the cells) has been reported in grapevines in response to drought and as a natural process throughout the growing season (seasonal osmotic adjustment).
Most of the rootstocks used in viticulture today are partly resistant against grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch) and host phylloxera on the root system without conspicuous negative impacts on fruit production).
Context and purpose of the study. Climate change is affecting wine production and induces a large variability in wine composition between vintages.
Shrinking berries are the common symptoms of Berry Shrivel (BS) and Late-Season-Dehydration (LSD) in grapevine cultivars.
It is known that high temperature influences the synthesis, transformation and degradation of grape anthocyanin (ANT) threatening the quality of grapes and coloured wines.
Studies suggest that ethanol (EtOH), triggers plant adaptation to various stresses at low concentrations (10 µM to 10 mM).
Context and purpose of the study. Cultivation techniques are widely recognized for their significant impact on the aroma profile of grapes and wines.
In plants, stress due to nutrient deficiency can significantly impair their development and productivity.
In view of increasing drought frequencies due to climate change, enhancing grapevine resilience to water scarcity has become vital for sustainable viticulture.
Drought stress is an increasingly prevalent environmental challenge with implications for grapevine physiology and productivity, as well as for the microbiomes associated with grapevine tissues.
Context and Purpose of Study. Grapevine Shiraz disease (SD), which is associated with Grapevine Virus A (GVA), is one of the highly destructive diseases affecting Australian and South African vineyards.
The isUP-AgrO project aims to enhance the capability of ISOPlexis – Centre of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Technology, a research unit from the University of Madeira, an outermost region of Portugal.
Low temperatures are required for the acquisition and maintenance of bud cold tolerance, which are necessary for grapevines to survive freezing temperatures in winter.