Search Results (875)

Seeds are the result of sexual reproduction, containing the embryo that stores genetic information from past generations, surrounded by protective and nutritional tissues. In Vitis, seed morphology provides valuable insights into varietal diversity and domestication processes. In the context of transitioning toward sustainable viticulture, understanding varietal diversity provides key insights into crop evolution and adaptation. This study explores relationships in seed morphology among 91 varieties conserved in the Portuguese Ampelographic Collection (PRT 051 in FAO). Based on images of well-oriented seeds, outline geometry was described using Fourier coefficients and curvature values measured at key points along the outline. Seeds were classified according to their similarity to four reference models: Sylvestris, Hebén, Traminer, and Koenigin der Weingaerten. A high proportion of cultivars showed strong similarity to the Koenigin der Weingaerten model, suggesting an advanced stage of domestication. In contrast, very few cultivars matched the Sylvestris model. Significant differences in curvature values were observed among groups. The results confirm known pedigree relationships and the key role played by ancient varieties and provide new insights into the evolution of seed morphology during grapevine domestication. Among cultivars resembling the Koenigin der Weingaerten model, some result from crosses involving Iberian and European varieties, suggesting that the different Vitis haplotypes may be associated with progressive stages during the process of domestication that define the current resilience of Mediterranean grapevines. Full article

Growing consumer demand for organic products and increasing evidence that viticultural management influences wine quality have prompted renewed interest in ecological cultivation systems. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the oenological characteristics and sensory quality of wines produced from three Vitis vinifera varieties (Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, and Fetească neagră) grown under ecological and conventional cultivation systems in the Dealu Mare wine region (Romania) during 2022. Wines were characterized by their physicochemical parameters (pH, total acidity, reducing sugars, and ethanol content), total anthocyanin (TAC), total phenolic (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC), in vitro antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP), and structured sensory evaluation using a semi-naive consumer panel (n = 20). Fetească neagră wines exhibited the highest bioactive potential, with TPC values up to 2895.78 ± 152.23 mg GAE/L, TAC up to 370.98 mg MGE/L, and FRAP values reaching 5790.53 ± 143.82 mg TE/L, approximately ten-fold higher than white wines. Ecological cultivation significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity of Sauvignon blanc and Fetească neagră wines, while its effect on Chardonnay was variable across assays. Sensory evaluation revealed that ecological cultivation significantly improved olfactory scores (p = 0.011), particularly for Sauvignon blanc, and that female panelists assigned significantly higher olfactory scores than males (p < 0.001). These findings support ecological viticulture as a quality-enhancing strategy for Romanian wine production, especially for autochthonous cultivars. Full article

Chardonnay (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most widely cultivated white grape varieties in Chile, yet integrated studies addressing phenolic composition, polysaccharides, and color in commercial wines remain limited. This study characterized 30 commercial Chardonnay wines from major Chilean regions through a comprehensive analysis of phenolic composition, polysaccharide fractions, and CIELab color parameters, considering multiple sources of variability including vintage (2023–2024), closure type, geographic location, and valley of origin. Basic oenological parameters showed low variability, confirming their strong technological regulation in commercial wines. In contrast, total tannins, selected chromatic coordinates (particularly a* and hue angle), polysaccharide fractions, and several low-molecular-mass phenolics exhibited significant differences mainly associated with geographic origin and closure type. Among phenolic families, hydroxycinnamates, phenolic alcohols, and flavonols emerged as the most discriminant compositional domains. Multivariate analysis revealed that wine differentiation was structured by overlapping compositional gradients involving phenolic evolution, color expression, and polysaccharide composition rather than by vintage alone. Overall, the results highlight the multifactorial nature of Chardonnay wine composition and the combined contribution of grape origin, closure-associated bottle evolution, and winemaking factors. Nevertheless, because wines were commercially sourced and bottle age and storage conditions were not standardized, closure-associated differences should be interpreted cautiously as associations rather than causal effects. Full article

This study addresses the challenge of detecting white grape bunches (Vitis vinifera L.) in high-density vineyard canopies, a critical task for precision viticulture and yield estimation. Traditional statistical and image-processing methods have struggled to cope with occlusion issues. In this work, more than 200 field RGB images were collected at La Bergonza (Toledo, Spain) and expanded through data augmentation. Several preprocessing strategies were evaluated to enhance bunch visibility. Different convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures were compared, with YOLOv8 outperforming Mask R-CNN in terms of both accuracy and efficiency. YOLOv8, trained for up to 100 epochs on equalized and augmented datasets, achieved outstanding performance, with 84.9% precision, 72.6% recall, and an mAP@0.5 of 83%, far surpassing Mask R-CNN (17% precision and 26% recall). The model successfully detected partially occluded grape bunches, including some that were not visible to human experts, and outperformed previous studies that relied on controlled backgrounds or artificial lighting. The results demonstrate that combining RGB equalization with data augmentation significantly improves detection performance. These findings highlight the potential of deep learning and low-cost RGB imaging systems to enable automated and scalable solutions for yield estimation and canopy analysis. In conclusion, YOLOv8 emerges as a promising tool for accurate grape bunch detection under real field conditions, effectively overcoming previous technological limitations. Full article

This study evaluates the impact of the complete early leaf removal on the fruit zone for consecutive growing seasons (2023–2024) on the agronomic performance and oenological potential of the indigenous Greek red cultivar Avgoustiatis (Vitis vinifera L.), which is cultivated in Zakynthos, Greece. The defoliated treatment significantly reconfigured vine productivity, inducing a 33–34% reduction in yield during both years of the study and a contraction in berry mass, which consequently increased the skin-to-berry ratio by 30% and 60% for the 2023 and 2024 vintages, respectively. In the must, defoliation facilitated a desirable decoupling of sugar and acidity, achieving higher soluble solids while maintaining a robust acid core. Furthermore, defoliation enhanced phenolic maturity, in both vintages, increasing total anthocyanins and improving their extractability. Although extreme thermal conditions in 2024 led to lower color intensity and total phenolics in the treated wines compared to the control, the volatile profile revealed a significant reduction in herbaceous C₆ alcohols and an increase in floral terpenes like nerol. Sensory analysis confirmed that defoliated wines were characterized by lower astringency and superior aromatic typicity, with distinct notes of violet and vanilla. These findings suggest that early defoliation is a potent tool for optimizing the structural and aromatic integrity of Avgoustiatis, though its application must be adapted against Mediterranean thermal stress. Full article

Grape pomace extract (GPE) from Vitis vinifera L. cv. Aglianico is rich in polyphenols with recognized cardioprotective properties, yet its direct electrophysiological effects on spontaneous cardiac activity have not been previously investigated. Here, we examined the chronotropic effects of GPE using two complementary models: HL-1 cardiomyocytes, assessed by whole-cell patch-clamp and intracellular Ca²⁺ imaging, and the Drosophila melanogaster larval heart tube, evaluated by optical recording. In HL-1 cells, chronic treatment with 25 µg/mL GPE for 48 h significantly reduced potential spontaneous action frequency and selectively prolonged the diastolic depolarization phase without altering action potential morphology, depolarization-activated currents, or cytosolic Ca²⁺ homeostasis. GPE reduced the hyperpolarization-activated funny current (I_f) density without shifting its voltage dependence. GPE-treated cells retained cAMP sensitivity, as both isoproterenol and intracellular 8-Br-cAMP significantly increased I_f amplitude, while ELISA quantification confirmed that global cAMP levels were unaffected by GPE. In Drosophila larvae, a cAMP-independent myogenic preparation, GPE administered in the diet significantly reduced heart rate. These findings demonstrate that Aglianico GPE exerts a negative chronotropic effect through a mechanism that reduces functional I_f density without altering cAMP availability or HCN channel voltage dependence, and reveal a cAMP-independent component of action conserved across phylogenetically distant species. Full article

Plant genetic resources are increasingly viewed as a key tool to address the multiple challenges faced by modern viticulture. In this context, local grape cultivars are proposed as a strategy to enhance resilience to climate change and to diversify wine styles. However, while genetic identification has been widely reported, field-based phenotyping information for local cultivars under current climate conditions remains limited. In this context, phenotyping results are presented for six local Andalusian cultivars (Castellano, Beba, Cañocazo, Mantúo de Pilas, Perruno and Vigiriega). All cultivars were grown in a vineyard plot in the Marco de Jerez and evaluated over three consecutive seasons (2023–2025). Morphology was assessed using 46 descriptors, allowing cultivars to be grouped into two main clusters. Phenological monitoring showed a measurable year effect while preserving a consistent relative ranking among cultivars, most clearly during veraison and ripening, with Castellano reaching these stages earlier and Mantúo de Pilas later. Grape must composition highlighted contrasting ripening dynamics, with Palomino Fino and Castellano generally reaching higher sugar levels, whereas Vigiriega and Mantúo de Pilas showed the most acidic profiles. These results provide growers with performance-based comparative information to support cultivar selection for new plantings and to explore the potential of local cultivars for developing new wine styles under warm climate conditions. Full article

Pre-harvest bagging protects table grapes from environmental stress, yet its interannual impact on the plant fatty acid profile remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the fatty acid profile and Atherogenicity Index (AI) and Thrombogenicity Index (TI) as health indices of three traditional cultivars (“Doña María”, “Dominga”, “Aledo”). Grapes were cultivated under bagged and unbagged conditions over two consecutive seasons characterized by contrasting thermal stress, and their lipid extracts were evaluated using gas chromatography and multivariate statistical tools. The analytical results revealed a profile predominantly composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid. Both genotype and protective bagging significantly modulated lipid accumulation. Uniquely, the extreme heatwave of the second season triggered a profound lipid remodeling, increasing the total polyunsaturated fraction by over 40% in “Doña María” as a putative adaptive response to maintain membrane fluidity. Nutritionally, all cultivars demonstrated exceptional cardioprotective potential, recording atherogenicity indices below 0.11. These findings provide novel insights into the resilience of table grapes, validating them as a robust source of functional lipids. Furthermore, tracking this lipid remodeling offers the agricultural industry a sensitive biochemical tool to optimize protective strategies and ensure crop quality under increasing climate volatility. Full article

Dry-farmed vineyards of Vitis vinifera L. cv. País in central–southern Chile represent one of the oldest viticultural systems in the Americas; however, objective compositional evidence supporting valley-scale typicity remains limited. This single-vintage study evaluated whether dry-farmed País wines from the Maule and Itata valleys exhibit compositional and sensory differences under standardized winemaking conditions. Ten monovarietal wines (2018 vintage; n = 5 per valley) were produced by controlled microvinification and analysed for general chemistry, phenolic composition, polysaccharides, chromatic attributes (CIELAB), and volatile compounds (SPME–GC–MS), together with descriptive sensory analysis by a trained panel. Total phenols (~1.2 g GAE L⁻¹), anthocyanins (~130 mg malvidin-3-glucoside equivalents L⁻¹), and tannins were low and comparable between valleys. However, differences were observed in specific compositional domains: Maule wines showed higher flavanols, polysaccharides, and aldehydes, whereas Itata wines exhibited higher ester levels. Sensory evaluation revealed differences in colour intensity, floral aroma, retronasal red-fruit notes, and astringency. Multivariate analysis (PCoA) revealed a structured but partial separation between valleys; however, this pattern was not supported by PERMANOVA, indicating limited statistical evidence for multivariate differentiation. These findings, based on a single vintage, suggest subtle compositional and sensory differences rather than strong valley-level typicity. Full article

Yeast selection plays a strategic role in winemaking, influencing not only the quality and style of the final product but also the expression of the cultivar. This study evaluated the impact of selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains on the fermentation of three white grape cultivars grown in Western Sicily: Grillo, Catarratto, and Moscato Giallo (Vitis vinifera L.). A standardized vinification protocol was applied to assess the fermentative performance and effects on the chemical composition, aromatic profile, and sensory profile. Alcoholic fermentation kinetics, major analytical parameters, free and glycosylated volatile compounds, and sensory attributes were monitored. Significant differences were observed among the yeast strains in their fermentation dynamics and production of secondary metabolites. Notably, certain strains enhanced the aromatic expressions of the cultivars, particularly in Moscato Giallo, modulating the free and glycosylated terpene profiles. This approach to fermentation highlights the potential to optimize wine quality through yeast selection, aligning the strain performance with the specific needs of each cultivar. Furthermore, the use of efficient yeast strains may reduce reliance on additives, contributing to more sustainable and economically viable winemaking. Full article

The vineyards of El-Kantara (Calceus Herculis, Algeria) have an ancient viticultural tradition that has never been scientifically documented. This study aims to evaluate the genetic and phenotypic diversity of this region to preserve native grapevine genetic resources. A combined approach of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and ampelographic characterization based on 35 Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV) descriptors was applied to 51 grapevine cultivars. Genetic analysis revealed moderate diversity, identifying eight international Mediterranean varieties, four known Algerian cultivars, and six novel genotypes with proposed names ‘Aïn Taher’, ‘Ineb Ganteri’, ‘Datté Ganteri’, ‘Seouikiya’, ‘Bayedha d’El-Kantara’, and ‘Ineb ElDjebel’. Ampelographic analyses revealed significant phenotypic variation, with principal component analysis (PCA) explaining 77% of the total variance, primarily driven by vein length and sinus shape. Cluster analysis demonstrated strong alignment between molecular and morphological data, grouping the novel genotypes into distinct morphological categories. These findings highlight a unique and previously undocumented genetic heritage in El-Kantara’s vineyards and underscore the need for a national strategy to conserve and promote Algeria’s native grapevine resources, ensuring their preservation for future viticultural and breeding programmes. Full article

This study addresses the early detection of water stress in grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Monastrell), a key challenge for precision irrigation. The main objective is to assess the feasibility of VIS–NIR hyperspectral imaging (400–1000 nm) to anticipate water stress, relating the spectral signal to stem water potential. This study was developed over two campaigns, in 2024 and 2025, using 18 potted plants. In 2024, eight vines were irrigated, and the remaining 10 were subjected to water-deprivation treatments, whilst in 2025, all plants were irrigated, but half at a control dose and the rest at a reduced dose equivalent to 33% of the control. Images were acquired over five dates in June 2024 and over seven in June 2025 using a Specim IQ camera; stem potential was also measured to provide a physiological reference. Individual time series were developed, calculating the Mahalanoubis distance in a PCA space. Results revealed a change window between 10 and 13 June, consistent with the divergence in water potential from 17 to 24 June. PCA highlighted spectral regions related to changes in pigments, nitrogen and water content as main indicators of water stress. We conclude that HSI is a promising tool for early water stress detection. Full article

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is an economically important fruit crop cultivated worldwide. However, its production and fruit quality are severely constrained by powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) and Botrytis bunch rot (Botrytis cinerea) diseases. Increasing concerns regarding chemical fungicide resistance and environmental sustainability highlight the urgent need to develop alternative and more sustainable disease management strategies. This study assessed the field efficacy of Pseudomonas protegens-based formulations (TANIRI^® WP at 1 g·L⁻¹ and MaxGrowth at 1 mL·L⁻¹) within an integrated disease management program in cv. Chardonnay. Defense-related gene expression analysis revealed that biological treatments predominantly up-regulated pr1, pr2, and pr10 in both leaves and berries. In contrast, the chemical inducer acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) triggered earlier but less consistent induction of pr1 and pr2, alongside transient activation of pal and lox9. Repeated field applications of P. protegens formulations moderately reduced the severity of Botrytis bunch rot (20.89%) and powdery mildew (6.14%), though control levels remained below conventional sulfur/Bacillus subtilis-based treatments (30.04% and 13.56%, respectively). Overall, these findings suggest that biological inducers could complement conventional management practices for grapevine health. In particular, P. protegens may act mainly by systemically inducing host defense responses and partially suppressing pathogen development under field conditions. Full article

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is an important fruit crop, but its production is severely threatened by ripe rot, a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. However, V. pseudoreticulata ‘Dongan-1’ has been reported to have significant resistance to ripe rot. To investigate the molecular basis of this resistance, we employed RNA-Seq to profile transcriptome changes in the leaves and berry skins of ‘Dongan-1’ following infection. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis suggested that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly linked to stress response, cellular processes, and metabolic processes. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that DEGs in both tissues were predominantly enriched in the plant MAPK signaling pathway, peroxisome pathway, plant–pathogen interaction pathway, and plant hormone signal transduction pathway. Notably, VpCML41 was identified as a highly induced gene. Functional characterization through heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana and transient expression in ‘Thompson Seedless’ grape leaves demonstrated that VpCML41 enhances resistance to C. gloeosporioides. This enhanced resistance involves the coordinated regulation of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signaling cascades. Our findings provide valuable genetic resources for understanding ripe rot resistance and offer a foundation for developing resistant grape varieties. Full article

The protection of leaves from photoinhibition and berries from dehydration and sunburn has become an increasingly important objective in response to the rising frequency and intensity of heat waves worldwide. This research investigated the effect of a white nonwoven geotextile sheet (TNT) installed in the fruiting zone in the white cultivar ‘Verdicchio’ (Vitis vinifera L.) during critical summer periods with the aim of protecting leaves and berries from extreme heat. The study was conducted over two seasons (2020–2021) in a rainfed vineyard in central Italy using a randomized block design. Physiological and yield parameters were recorded. Vines protected with TNT did not show any changes in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency, compared to unshielded vines. However, TNT reduced leaf temperature and increased berry total acidity and malic acid concentration while reducing sugar content, leading to wines with higher freshness and reduced alcohol levels. The use of TNTs shows significant potential as a practical tool for viticulturists to mitigate the effects of excessive heat, allowing for better management of berry ripening and ultimately improving final wine characteristics. Additionally, TNT is economically feasible, especially if applied only to the afternoon-exposed side of the canopy, and its cost can be amortized, especially in vineyards affected by frequent heat waves and/or dedicated to the production of premium wines. Full article