Novel Insights into Sustainable Viticulture

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Viticulture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2025 | Viewed by 3887

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Enology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Interests: grape; fruit; wine; color; aroma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
Interests: grape; viticulture; fruit wine; flavor; omics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Plant Science, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Interests: grapes aroma; transcriptional regulation for monoterpene
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the global demand for high-quality, sustainably produced wine grows, innovative approaches in viticulture are paramount. This Special Issue, titled "Novel Insights into Sustainable Viticulture", invites researchers and practitioners to contribute their latest findings and methodologies in the propagation and cultivation of grapevines.

This Special Issue aims to highlight advancements in grapevine propagation that enhance sustainability, focusing on both traditional and cutting-edge techniques that ensure genetic integrity, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. We encourage submissions that explore a range of topics, including but not limited to clonal selection, hybridization, the use of rootstocks, biotechnological innovations, and organic practices.

Moreover, contributions may cover improvements in water and nutrient management, pest and disease control strategies that minimize chemical inputs, and the integration of biodiversity to bolster ecosystem resilience. Furthermore, we are interested in research that applies precision agriculture technologies to optimize vineyard management and ensure the sustainability of viticulture practices.

This Special Issue will serve as a comprehensive resource for horticulturists, agronomists, researchers, and industry stakeholders who are at the forefront of transforming grape cultivation to meet modern challenges while maintaining the highest quality of grape production. Through collaborative research, we aim to foster viticultural practices that are productive, sustainable, and adaptable to changing climatic conditions.

Submissions of original research articles, review papers, and case studies are welcome. We look forward to your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Xiangyu Sun
Dr. Yu Wang
Dr. Xiangyi Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • grape quality
  • aroma
  • colour
  • cultivation

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 7781 KiB  
Communication
Millerandage—One of the Grapevine Cultivation Challenges in the Climate Change Context
by Maria Doinița Muntean, Liliana Lucia Tomoiagă, Horia Silviu Răcoare, Alexandra Doina Sîrbu, Ioana Sorina Giurcă, Veronica Sanda Chedea, Alin Cristian Teușdea and Maria Comșa
Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020165 - 4 Feb 2025
Abstract
This study investigates millerandage, a physiological disorder affecting grapes during their development. In the climate change context, millerandage can become a viticultural hazard problem causing yield drops and posing challenges regarding wine quality due to uneven ripening in grape clusters. Using the 2023 [...] Read more.
This study investigates millerandage, a physiological disorder affecting grapes during their development. In the climate change context, millerandage can become a viticultural hazard problem causing yield drops and posing challenges regarding wine quality due to uneven ripening in grape clusters. Using the 2023 vintage data from the Research Station for Viticulture and Enology Blaj (SCDVV Blaj), Târnave wine region, Romania, we assessed the climate conditions of 2023, focusing on the adverse climatic conditions from the flowering phenophase and the observed millerandage grade that occurred as a consequence. A total of 26 grapevine cultivars were monitored, assessing millerandage grade by field observations carried out in two grapevine plantations (S1 and S2) in July (BBCH 79) and September (BBCH 87). The results show statistically significant differences, with cultivars like Ezerfurtu (Ez), Napoca (Na), and Rhin Riesling (RR) exhibiting a millerandage grade higher than 35%, while cultivars like Pinot noir (PN) and Pinot gris (PG) showed resilience, with millerandage grades below 1%. These findings highlight cultivar-specific vulnerabilities and provides insights into millerandage’s role as a climate change challenge in viticulture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Sustainable Viticulture)
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13 pages, 3688 KiB  
Article
Identification of the LH2 Locus for Prostrate Hair Density in Grapevine
by Bohan Yang, Jiaqi Liu, Qinqin Gu, Zhizhuo Xu, Xiukun Yao, Jianxiang Liang, Menghao Xu, Jiang Lu and Peining Fu
Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121309 - 9 Dec 2024
Viewed by 659
Abstract
Prostrate hairs are one of the anatomic barriers for grapevine resistance to pests and diseases, as well as in environmental adaptability, making them valuable for breeding programs. This study investigates the genetic determinants underlying prostrate hair density in grapevine, a key trait associated [...] Read more.
Prostrate hairs are one of the anatomic barriers for grapevine resistance to pests and diseases, as well as in environmental adaptability, making them valuable for breeding programs. This study investigates the genetic determinants underlying prostrate hair density in grapevine, a key trait associated with resistance to pests and pathogens. Using an F1 hybrid population derived from Vitis vinifera L. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon cv.’ and V. pseudoreticulata W.T.Wang ‘Huadong1058’, we performed a combination of quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify the genomic regions influencing the density of prostrate hair. We identified a major locus on 9.56–10.54 Mbp of chromosome 17, designated as ‘LH2’, which accounts for 43% of the phenotypic variation. This locus was delineated with high precision, and 92 candidate genes were identified within the region. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that these genes are potentially involved in binding, catalytic activity, and various cellular processes. In particular, the SNP markers ‘chr17_10130288’ and ‘chr17_10428273’ were significantly associated with prostrate hair density, providing valuable information for marker-assisted selection. These findings offer a reliable target for analyzing the hair development mechanism of grapevine leaves and breeding new cultivars rich in prostrate hair on the back of the leaves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Sustainable Viticulture)
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8 pages, 269 KiB  
Communication
First Experience of Late Pruning on Kékfrankos Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in Eger Wine Region (Hungary)
by Szabolcs Villangó, András Szekeres, György Végvári, Gitta Ficzek, Gergely Simon and Zsolt Zsófi
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111223 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 802
Abstract
Traditional winter pruning in dormancy (BBCH-00) as control (C) and three late pruning treatments, LP1 (wool stage—BBCH-05), LP2 (two leaves folded—BBCH-12), and LP3 (four leaves folded—BBCH-14), were applied on Kékfrankos grapevines. The evolution of the phenological growth stages, grape juice, wine analytical parameters, [...] Read more.
Traditional winter pruning in dormancy (BBCH-00) as control (C) and three late pruning treatments, LP1 (wool stage—BBCH-05), LP2 (two leaves folded—BBCH-12), and LP3 (four leaves folded—BBCH-14), were applied on Kékfrankos grapevines. The evolution of the phenological growth stages, grape juice, wine analytical parameters, and phenolic composition were evaluated. The quantitative aspects of the grape berry, bunch, yield, and cane were also assessed. Our goal was to reach a decrease in sugar content and an increase in acidity. Delaying or postponing the phenological phases to bring technological and phenolic ripening closer together was also one of our objectives. These were accomplished, but the negative aspects of late pruning, which resulted in a reduction in the diameter and weight of the canes, should also be taken into account. We also found that, the later the late pruning, the more the yield was reduced. By postponing pruning, the phenological phases were also extended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Sustainable Viticulture)
18 pages, 7449 KiB  
Article
Norisoprenoid Accumulation under Genotype and Vintage Effects in Vitis vinifera L. Wine Varieties
by Xiangyi Li, Naveed Ahmad, Yuan Gao, Yachen Wang, Xiao Meng, Changqing Duan, Jiang Lu and Qiuhong Pan
Horticulturae 2024, 10(9), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10090970 - 12 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1015
Abstract
Norisoprenoids are important chemical compounds to grape and wine aroma, and their content in the grape berries can be greatly affected by varietal, terroir, and environmental factors. In this study, we investigate how major factors, such as genotype and climate conditions, influence the [...] Read more.
Norisoprenoids are important chemical compounds to grape and wine aroma, and their content in the grape berries can be greatly affected by varietal, terroir, and environmental factors. In this study, we investigate how major factors, such as genotype and climate conditions, influence the physicochemical properties of grape juice, volatile C13-norisoprenoid compounds, and gene expression profiles of three Vitis vinifera grape varieties: Muscat blanc à Petit grain, Muscat à petits grains rouges, and Gewürztraminer during the production period in 2010 and 2011. The total soluble solids (TSS) of both Muscat varieties were significantly higher in 2011 compared to 2010, reflecting interannual climatic variations, while Gewürztraminer showed no significant differences. At full maturity, total acid of all three cultivars was consistent between the years, indicating genetic determination. Thirteen norisoprenoids were identified, with Muscat varieties showing consistently higher levels than Gewürztraminer, irrespective of the production year. Varietal differences were significant for 13 out of 14 volatile compounds, and vintage effects were notable for 11 compounds, including key aroma contributors β-damascenone and β-ionone. OPLS-DA analysis highlighted distinct volatile profiles for each variety and vintage, influenced by climatic factors such as precipitation and sunlight hours. Gene expression analysis revealed strong correlations between VvCCD1, VvCCD4a, and VvCCD4b genes and C13-norisoprenoid accumulation, with these genes also implicated in the ABA biosynthesis pathway. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in VvCCD1, VvCCD4a, and VvCCD4b were linked to variations in norisoprenoid content among the cultivars. Altogether, these findings revealed the interaction of genetic and environmental factors in shaping the physicochemical properties for the grape, volatile profiles, and gene expression patterns of grape berries, with significant implications for viticulture and the winemaking process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Sustainable Viticulture)
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