Search Results (156)

This study investigates the roles of grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV) and grapevine yellow speckle viroid 1 (GYSVd1) in regulating the soluble sugar and organic acid metabolism of grape berries and wine. The contents of soluble sugar and organic acid components and the activity and expression levels of critical enzymes of the soluble sugar acid metabolism pathway were measured in ‘Welschriesling’ grape berries and wine carrying the virus GINV, the viroid GYSVd1, and a mixed infection of both GINV and GYSVd1 (GINV + GYSVd1), respectively. The results show that the virus GINV and the viroid GYSVd1 decreased the soluble sugar and increased the organic acid in berries and wine. GINV decreased glucose content and increased malic acid content by regulating AI, NADP-IDH, PEPC, and NAD-MDH activity, as well as VvHT4, VvSWEET10, VvPEPC, and VvMDH expression levels. GYSVd1 decreased glucose content and increased malic acid content by regulating AI and CS activity and VvHT4, VvSWEET15, and VvPEPC expression. The results suggest that the viroid GYSVd1 negatively impacts berries and wine more than the virus GINV. Moreover, in the mixed infection with GINV + GYSVd1, the negative effects of GINV and GYSVd1 on soluble sugars do not seem to be observed. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the crop load on the berry and wine composition of Marselan grapes. Thus, the appropriate crop load for Marselan wine grapes in Ningxia was determined based on the shoot density and the number of clusters per shoot. Marselan grapes from the Gezi Mountain vineyard, located at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in the Qingtongxia region of Ningxia, were selected as the research material to conduct a combination experiment with four levels of shoot density and three levels of cluster density. The analysis of the berry and wine chemical composition was combined with a wine sensory evaluation to determine the optimal crop load levels. Crop load regulation significantly affected both the grape berry composition and the basic physicochemical properties of the resulting wine. Low crop loads improved metrics such as the berry weight and soluble solids content. A low shoot density facilitated the accumulation of organic acids, flavonols, and hydroxybenzoic acids in wine. Moderate crop loads were conducive to anthocyanin synthesis—the total individual anthocyanins content in the 10–20 shoots per meter of the canopy treatment group ranged from 116% to 490% of the control group—whereas excessive crop loads hindered its accumulation. Crop load management significantly influenced the aroma composition of wine by regulating the content of sugars, nitrogen sources, and organic acids in grape berries, thereby promoting the synthesis of esters and the accumulation of key aromatic compounds, such as terpenes. This process optimized pleasant flavors, including fruity and floral aromas. In contrast, wines from the high crop load and control treatments contained lower levels of these aroma compounds. Compounds such as ethyl caprylate and β-damascenone were identified as potential quality markers. Overall, the wine produced from vines with a crop load of 30 clusters (15 shoots per meter of canopy, 2 clusters per shoot) received the highest sensory scores. Appropriate crop load management is therefore critical to improving the chemical composition of Marselan wine. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis has great potential in improving grapevine performance and reducing external input dependency in viticulture. However, the precise, strain-specific impacts of different AMF species on ‘Summer Black’ grapevine cuttings across multiple physiological and morphological dimensions remain underexplored. To address this, we conducted a controlled greenhouse pot experiment, systematically evaluating four different AMF species (Diversispora versiformis, Diversispora spurca, Funneliformis mosseae, and Paraglomus occultum) on ‘Summer Black’ grapevine cuttings. All AMF treatments successfully established root colonization, with F. mosseae achieving the highest infection rate. In detail, F. mosseae notably enhanced total root length, root surface area, and volume, while D. versiformis specifically improved primary adventitious and 2nd-order lateral root numbers. Phosphorus (P) uptake in both leaves and roots was significantly elevated across all AMF treatments, with F. mosseae leading to a 42% increase in leaf P content. Furthermore, AMF inoculation generally enhanced the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase, along with soluble protein and soluble sugar contents in leaves and roots. Photosynthetic parameters, including net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr), were dramatically increased in AMF-colonized cutting seedlings. Whereas, P. occultum exhibited inhibitory effects on several growth metrics, such as shoot length, leaf and root biomass, and adventitious lateral root numbers, and decreased the contents of Nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) in both leaves and roots. These findings conclusively demonstrate that AMF symbiosis optimizes root morphology, enhances nutrient acquisition, and boosts photosynthetic efficiency and stress resilience, thus providing valuable insights for developing targeted bio-fertilization strategies in sustainable viticulture. Full article

Climate change is usually recognized as the most significant challenge facing viticulture in the 21st century. As a result, experts are increasingly emphasizing the need to explore the biodiversity within the species Vitis vinifera L. In this context, the present study investigated the intra-varietal biodiversity of two widely cultivated grapevine varieties on the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura (Spain). These islands, characterized by desert-like climates, strong winds, volcanic soils, and phylloxera-free conditions, have presented uninterrupted grapevine cultivation for the past three to five centuries. Intra-varietal variability was detected in 93.46% of the 107 accessions analyzed. The most divergent samples were a Malvasia Dubrovacka (LNZ-87) and a Listan prieto (FTV-8), each exhibiting five distinct variations. Another Listan prieto accession (FTV-13) showed four variations. A group of seven individuals displayed three variations including two Malvasia volcanica accessions (LNZ-12, LNZ-72) and five Listan prieto accessions (FTV-1, FTV-2, FTV-7, FTV-9, FTV-12). A set of 100 SSR markers was used to analyze this grapevine collection, of which 17 revealed variability. The most informative markers were VChr15b, VVIp34, VVMD32, VChr9b, VVMD5, VVMD28, and VMC4F3, while the least informative was VVNTM1, which detected no variation. The parentage of Malvasia volcanica (Malvasia Dubrovacka × Bermejuela) was supported by all SSR markers, assuming that three of them may involve a mutated parent. Full article

Grafting compatibility between rootstocks and scions is a critical factor influencing the success of vine propagation and the long-term productivity of vineyards. This study aimed to evaluate the compatibility, sapling quality characteristics, and survival rates of grafted vines produced by combining ten local grape cultivars from Yozgat Province with four rootstocks: ‘5 BB’, ‘41 B’, ‘1103 P’, and ‘Fercal’. Grafted vines were assessed based on callus formation, graft union success, root development, and overall sapling quality. The results revealed that the ‘Fercal’ rootstock exhibited superior compatibility with several cultivars, notably achieving 100% graft success with ‘Siyah Üzüm’ and a high sapling rate of 93.4% with ‘Gelinparmağı’. Strong performance was also observed in the ‘Fercal/Köledoyuran’ and ‘Fercal/Horoz Üzümü’ combinations, which produced sapling rates of 95.4%. While ‘5 BB’ performed well with ‘Parmak Üzümü’ (100% graft success), ‘Karagevrek’ (94.4%), and ‘Mor Bulut’, it showed poor results with ‘Gelinparmağı’ (66.5% sapling rate). The ‘1103 P’ rootstock demonstrated good compatibility with ‘Şahmuratlı’ (94.3% graft success) and ‘Kirpi Üzümü’. In contrast, although ‘41 B’ reached up to 100% graft success in some combinations, it exhibited variable sapling development potential, ranging from 46.2% to 80.0%. Among the cultivars, ‘Siyah Üzüm’ achieved 100% compatibility with three rootstocks (‘41 B’, ‘1103 P’, and ‘Fercal’), followed by ‘Köledoyuran’, which consistently showed high success rates ranging from 96.9% to 100%. These findings offer practical guidance for selecting optimal rootstock–scion combinations to improve the efficiency of grafted vine production and reduce losses, particularly for local grape cultivars. Full article

Ripe rot (caused by Colletotrichum species) severely compromises the yield and quality of grapes. Biocontrol approaches, such as antagonistic bacteria, represent an effective strategy to prevent and control grape ripe rot. In this study, 325 strains of Bacillus species were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy grapevine plants. Among them, two strains, LJBA01 and LJBV047, exhibit strong antagonistic effects against C. viniferum, suggesting their potential role as biocontrol agents against grape ripe rot. Treatment with the fermentation broth of these strains significantly reduced disease incidence and lesion diameter in infected grape berries. Whole genome sequencing, combined with morphological characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence, confirmed LJBA01 as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and LJBV047 as Bacillus velezensis. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis of volatile compounds in fermentation broth from four strains (LJBA01, LJBV047, LJBS06, and LJBS17) identified 29 potential antimicrobial components. Among these, 2-nonanone and 2-decanol demonstrated highly significant inhibitory effects on C. viniferum. Overall, our research confirmed the potential value of two Bacillus strains as biocontrol bacteria against grape ripe rot. Full article

The global community continues to face the urgent need to develop environmentally friendly methods to increase agricultural productivity. Using plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) as plant growth stimulants could solve this problem, as this practice is more environmentally friendly than using fertilizers. This study characterized the Gordonia aichiensis P6PL2 bacterium associated with Vitis amurensis using whole-genome sequencing and in vitro and in vivo testing. The whole genome size of G. aichiensis P6PL2 was 5,435,824 bp with 5279 open reading frames. G. aichiensis P6PL2 possessed genes for the production of phytohormones (auxins and cytokinins) and an increased bioavailability of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. In addition, the presence of genes involved in synthesizing growth stimulants, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid and spermidine, has been demonstrated, as has the presence of genes involved in reducing various abiotic and biotic stress factors. Moreover, the results demonstrated the growth-promoting impact of a single application of G. aichiensis P6PL2 on seedlings and 30-day rice plants. This paper has shown and discussed the potential importance of G. aichiensis P6PL2 for agriculture. Full article

The commercial production of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) relies heavily on rootstocks that are hybrids of non-vinifera parentage. The relatively newly released GRN rootstocks (GRN-1, GRN-2, GRN-3, GRN-4, and GRN-5) were bred from especially under-studied genetic backgrounds. This study aimed to evaluate ungrafted GRN-series grape rootstocks under moderate water-stress conditions and to characterize and compare their physiological performances. Each of the GRN rootstocks had specific physiological characteristics that would make them suitable for a wide range of growing conditions and vineyard management goals. GRN-1 had growth habits which were more vigorous and the highest carbohydrate storage levels, while GRN-2 had the highest level of nitrogen and the largest leaf area, but the lowest levels of carbohydrate storage. GRN-3 was less tolerant to high-salinity soils, and had the longest internodes, while GRN-4 had high boron levels, which supports flowering and fruit set, and short internodes. GRN-5 was consistently moderate across all measured areas, except internode thickness, for which it was the highest. These findings show the variations in physiological growth habits among the ungrafted GRN-series rootstocks and suggest that growth habits, carbohydrate storage, leaf canopy, fruit production, and nutrition vary based on rootstock parentage. Further investigation is needed to determine whether these characteristics persist when grafted onto Vitis vinifera L. scions. Full article

Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) face significant challenges from abiotic stresses caused by climate change, including drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. This comprehensive review examined the role of beneficial microorganisms in enhancing grapevine tolerance to these stresses, focusing on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and endophytes. The study analyzes species-specific effects and their molecular mechanisms, highlighting how single and consortium inoculations improve plant resilience. AMF species, particularly Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis, demonstrated significant enhancement in drought and salinity tolerance through improved nutrient uptake and stress response modulation. The PGPRs, Bacillus and Pseudomonas species, show remarkable abilities to mitigate various abiotic stresses through mechanisms including phytohormone production and antioxidant defense enhancement. Endophytic microorganisms such as Pseudomonas fluorescens RG11 and Serendipita indica play crucial roles in stress mitigation through melatonin production and improved water retention, respectively. The synergistic effects of combined AMF, PGPR, and PGPF applications led to a significant increase in grapevine drought and salinity tolerance, improving nutrient uptake, photosynthesis rates, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Molecular analysis revealed that these microbial consortia regulate the expression of stress-responsive genes, particularly VvNCED and VvP5CS, enhancing grapevine resilience through improved osmotic adjustment, ROS scavenging, and hormonal regulation. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular pathways underlying stress tolerance, offering promising strategies for sustainable viticulture under climate change. Full article

Viticulture represents an important agricultural sector in Oltenia, which is one of the Romanian regions most affected by temperature increases. The main purpose of the present study was to analyze the changes in climate suitability for grapevine and wine production against this climate context in the region. Two specific bioclimatic indices were applied, namely the bioclimatic index and the oenoclimate aptitude index, both reflecting the cumulated influence of temperature, actual sunshine duration, and precipitation amounts on the grapevine during the growing season (1 April–30 September). The indices were calculated as average values for the period 1961–2020. In order to emphasize potential shifts in suitability, the mean, maximum, and minimum values were calculated for two distinct periods, 1961–1990 and 1991–2020. The results of the analysis underlined three distinct suitability changes: the area suitable for quality red wines shifting northwards (on average, about 30′ of latitude or 55.5 km), including the eastern part of the Getic Subcarpathians, which is not currently part of any winegrowing region; the emerging new areas suitable for quality white wine (the western part of the Subcarpathians); and a potentially overly hot climate developing in Southern Oltenia where grapevine varieties are currently grown. Thus, the development of adequate adaptation strategies for viticulture to climate change in the region should be considered in the near future. Full article

To investigate the effects of straight-line-shape (SL) and inverted-umbrella-shape (IU) training systems on sugar accumulation and metabolism in ‘Kyoho’ grape berries in Fujian, this study used 16-year-old ‘Kyoho’ grapevines trained in the two systems. Fruit samples were collected from 45 to 95 days after flowering (DAF) to measure soluble sugar content. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the differential expression of sugar metabolism-related genes, combined with KEGG enrichment analysis and RT-qPCR validation of key genes. The results showed that, at the same stage, the soluble sugar content in berries under the SL training system was significantly higher than that under the IU training system, especially from 45 to 65 DAF, where sugar accumulation was faster. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the SL training system showed 6274, 5597, and 2064 differentially expressed genes at 45, 65, and 95 DAF, respectively. Key sugar metabolism-related genes, such as fructokinase (FK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), exhibited significantly higher expression levels in the SL training system than in the IU training system. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the SL training system significantly enriched sugar metabolism and transport pathways during the early fruit ripening stage. RT-qPCR validation confirmed that genes related to sugar metabolism and transport (such as FK7, SUS3, SPP1) were expressed at significantly higher levels in the SL training system than in the IU training system. In conclusion, the SL training system significantly promoted soluble sugar accumulation and accelerated fruit ripening in ‘Kyoho’ grapes by regulating the expression of sugar metabolism and transport-related genes, providing a theoretical basis for promoting the SL training system in production. Full article

The name ‘Malvasia’ and its various spellings has historically been associated with a type of sweet and/or aromatic wine. However, a definitive association with a specific grape variety remains unconfirmed. In fact, up to 413 different grape variety names (cultivar name (synonym name) and/or first name) are related to the term “Malvasia”. The question arises: are all of these truly Malvasia? To answer this question, our research group presents a hypothesis. We worked with 43 genetic profiles that various scientific groups have published over decades and that are stored in the world’s largest grape database, the Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC). The known molecular profiles were obtained using the SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) or microsatellite technique. Various population structure programs were applied, information on the possible origin or area where each of the varieties was mostly grown was used, and historical information was used to explain the results obtained. Therefore, it can be concluded that the current varieties best positioned to define the concept of grape and/or wine variety “Malvasia” would be (1) Malvasia Dubrovacka, Malvasia bianca lunga, and Malvasia del Cilento, by genetic proximity; (2) Malvasia volcanica, Malvasia babosa, Malvasia nera di Basilicata, Malvasia nera di Brindisi, Vitovska, Pelena, Prunesta (false), and Lagorthi, by crosses; and (3) Malvasia di Sardegna Rosada, by mutation. The rest of the candidate varieties to be part of the ‘Malvasia’ family are dismissed because they result from crosses with members of the Muscat family or crosses with other varieties (known or unknown) that, in any case, are not related historically, genetically, or geographically (with the exception of Malvasia istriana and Malvasia Župska) to the hypothetical members of the ‘Malvasia’ family. Full article

(1) Background: Mineral nutrient deficiencies are a major constraint on grapevine growth and productivity, yet the clear identification of deficiency symptoms and their physiological impacts remains challenging. (2) Methods: In this study, ‘Thompson Seedless’ grapevines were grown hydroponically under the controlled omission of ten essential nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, B, Zn, Cu) to assess their impact on growth, leaf morphology, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, respiration, and tissue nutrient concentrations. (3) Results: Deficiencies in N, P, K, Mn, and B caused distinct leaf symptoms: nitrogen (N) deficiency led to pale leaves with bluish-green veins, phosphorus (P) deficiency caused yellowing in apical leaves followed by interveinal chlorosis, and potassium (K) deficiency induced pale yellow discoloration, curling, and rotting of the leaves. Manganese (Mn) and boron (B) deficiencies showed symptoms such as irregular leaf shapes and brittle, glossy leaves, respectively. These deficiencies resulted in reduced dry matter accumulation, decreased shoot length, and lower chlorophyll content. In contrast, iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) deficiencies had minimal effects, closely resembling those of the control conditions with only slight growth suppression. Notably, N, B, and Mg deficiencies led to significant reductions in Cu, Mg, B, and N levels, particularly evident through distinct symptoms in newly formed leaves. (4) Conclusions: Deficiencies in N, P, K, Mg, and B significantly affect grapevine growth, physiological processes, and nutritional quality. These findings emphasize the importance of maintaining balanced mineral nutrition for optimal grapevine health and productivity. Full article

Latin America offers a unique point of view into the adaptation of viticulture to climate change through its rich diversity of climates, traditional knowledge, and scientific innovation. This review synthesizes the current research and technological developments across major wine-producing countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Argentina shows key adaptation strategies, including high-altitude vineyard relocation, clonal and rootstock selection, canopy and water management, and the conservation of Criolla and other autochthonous grapevine varieties. In Brazil, tropical viticulture and breeding programs led by Embrapa exemplify advancements in disease-resistant and climate-resilient cultivars. Chile’s heroic and southern viticulture highlights the importance of old vines, microclimatic heterogeneity, and territorial identity. Uruguay stands out for its terroir-based research and producer-led adaptation strategies. This review also addresses systemic challenges in scientific publishing, particularly the underrepresentation of Latin American researchers in global vitivinicultural discourse. These disparities underscore the need for inclusive science that values local knowledge and promotes equity in research funding and dissemination. Overall, Latin America stands out not only as a region highly vulnerable to climate change, but as an emerging model of adaptation and innovation, demonstrating how resilient, sustainable, and culturally rooted wine production can thrive under shifting environmental conditions. Full article