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Different physicochemical factors have an influence on wine quality, for instance, quantity of grapes, PH, temperature, and humidity over the growing season. However, despite the weather conditions of the season, the product, grapes, is deposited in the wineries. At that time, a set of analyses are conducted to determine some chemical parameters of the grapes. This work is focused on the chemical parameters obtained at wineries to establish a method to pay farmers according to quality parameters. These parameters have been determined by the technicians at wineries, that is, the experts on wine, as well as market expectations. The idea behind this work is to introduce policies that promote quality instead of quantity, bringing about a change in the mentality of the farmers. These policies pay attention to water consumption or reduction in fertilizers that, of course, affect the chemical parameters of wine but also the sustainability of the sector and the region, in this case, Castilla-La Mancha in Spain. The application developed in this work, called DICAUVACOOP, not only promotes good practices but also introduces penalties. On the other hand, the calculations of each campaign are stored in databases that allow users to conduct comparisons among different campaigns showing the data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) as a decision-making support tool. Another effect of this process is to improve the visibility and brand positioning of Castilla-La Mancha wines on the world stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for healthy and sustainable food products is currently increasing. Industry tries to address such trend by means of beneficial to health and organoleptically accepted foods. Grapes are one of the largest world's crop because of their sensory attributes and nutritional value. In fact, grapes are regarded as functional foods based on the wealth of health benefits they offer. The objective of this chapter is to point out the importance of grapes in health, focused on table grape cultivars, with particular emphasis on the chemical compounds responsible for their beneficial properties. A brief morphological description of the different parts of the grape considering the distribution of the bioactive compounds, as well as, the major cultivated varieties for fresh consumption are reported. Finally, traditional and newer management strategies aimed to preserve and/or improve the quality during the cultivation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape maceration is essential in modulating the quality of Tokaj wines. The aim of this research was to analyse the effect of two maceration practices—one utilizing the application of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture and the other being maceration without a yeast culture in experimental Lipovina (Vitis vinifera L.) white wine from the Slovak part of the Tokaj region. Multiple factor analysis was used for the examination of wine quality regarding the formation of biogenic amines (BAs), and chemical, microbial and sensory variables were analysed over three months of wine production. The formation of bioactive components in wine was affected by maceration and maceration with the addition of a yeast culture, which resulted in a significantly increased antioxidant activity, as well as total phenolic and flavonoid content (p < 0.001). The wine samples that underwent maceration scored significantly lower in their appearance, aroma and taste (p < 0.05), which could be caused by a higher phenolic content and specific taste. The dynamics of BA formation in wine, evaluated using multiple factor analysis, highlighted that the maceration and maceration with an added yeast culture significantly affected these processes (p < 0.05). Microbiological examination promoted stable yeast counts during the maceration process, ensuring their longer presence during fermentation. Future research should aim to optimize maceration time in order to enhance the sensory quality of macerated wines without increasing the BA concentration, especially that of histamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Proanthocyanidin, synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum and stored in vacuoles, is key to grape and wine quality. Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) plays a crucial role in proanthocyanidin accumulation. However, little is known about the mechanisms of GSTs in the process. Here, we found that a TAU‐type GST VvGSTU60 is required for proanthocyanidin accumulation in Vitis vinifera. Gene expression analysis revealed a favorable correlation between the expression pattern of VvGSTU60 and proanthocyanidin accumulation in the seed of V. vinifera. We discovered that the overexpression of VvGSTU60 in grapes resulted in a significant increase in proanthocyanidin content, whereas the opposite effect occurred when VvGSTU60 was interfered with. Biochemical analysis indicates that VvGSTU60 forms homodimers and heterodimers with VvGST1. Interestingly, we also found that VvGSTU60 interacts with VvDTX41B, a MATE transporter protein localized on the tonoplast. Heterologous expression of VvDTX41B in the Arabidopsis tt12 mutant rescues the proanthocyanidin deficiency, and interfering with VvDTX41B expression in grapes remarkably reduces the accumulation of proanthocyanidin. In addition, compared with the VvGSTU60‐OE callus, the content of proanthocyanidin in VvDTX41B‐RNAi + VvGSTU60‐OE callus was significantly decreased but higher than that in VvDTX41B‐RNAi callus. The results suggest that VvGSTU60 and VvDTX41B are coordinated in proanthocyanidin accumulation. These findings offer new insights into the accumulation mechanisms of proanthocyanidin in plants and provide the molecular basis for optimizing grape quality and wine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article explores the importance of vineyard soil management. Studies on under-vine management have yielded a wide range of results, with some indicating potential benefits for vine growth and productivity. However, the methods of under-vine management and their specific effects on vineyard parameters require further research. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationships existing between the different types of management of under-vine areas and the vegetation grown in this zone and to determine the effects of under-vine management on the yield and quality of Traminer grapevines. By examining various approaches, the research aims to provide insights into the optimising of vineyard management methods to achieve enhanced biodiversity and grape quality in this specific geographical context. The findings indicated that management of the under-vine area can impact the composition of plants, grape yield and quality. Under-row management had an effect on the number of plant species and their composition. The highest weight of bunches was found in MIX (a species from the Fabaceae family), while the lowest was found in the MECH treatment (bare soil). MULCH, MONO and MIX consistently had higher yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in grapes than other treatments. In many of the evaluated parameters, the influence of the seasons was evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of sensors is opening new avenues in several fields of activity. Concerning agricultural crops, complex combinations of agri-environmental dynamics, such as soil and climate variables, are now commonly recorded. These new kinds of measurements are an opportunity to improve knowledge of the drivers of crop yield and crop quality at harvest. This involves renewing statistical approaches to account for the combined variations of these dynamic variables, here considered as temporal variables. The objective of the paper is to estimate an interpretable model to study the influence of the two combined inputs on a scalar output. A Sparse and Structured Procedure is proposed to Identify Combined Effects of Formatted temporal Predictors, hereafter denoted S  pice FP. The method is based on the transformation of both temporal variables into categorical variables by defining joint modalities, from which a collection of multiple regression models is then derived. The regressors are the frequencies associated with joint class intervals. The class intervals and related regression coefficients are determined using a generalized fused lasso. S  pice FP is a generic and exploratory approach. The simulations we performed show that it is flexible enough to select the non-null or influential modalities of values. A motivating example for grape quality is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Site-specific field management operations represent one of the fundamental principles of precision viticulture. The purpose of the research is to observe and analyse the evolution of a vineyard over three consecutive years to understand which factors most significantly influence the quality of the vineyard's production. Methods: The research involved technologically advanced tools for crop monitoring, such as remote and proximal sensors for vegetation surveys. In association, grape quality analyses were performed through laboratory analysis, constructing geostatistical interpolation maps and matrix correlation tables. Results: Both remote and proximal sensing instruments demonstrated their ability to effectively estimate the spatial distribution of vegetative and quality characteristics within the vineyard. Information obtained from GNDVI and CHM proved to be valuable and high-performance tools for assessing field variability. The differentiated plant management resulted in uniform production quality characteristics, a change evident through the monitoring techniques. Conclusion: The research highlights the effectiveness of using advanced technological instruments for crop monitoring and their importance in achieving uniformity in production quality characteristics through differentiated plant management. From the results obtained, it was possible to observe how differentiated plant management led to a uniformity of production quality characteristics and how the monitoring techniques can observe their evolution. This result represents a positive accomplishment in field management during the three monitoring years, responding to the principles and objectives of precision agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The training system is a valuable strategy to face water resource limitations under climate changes as its canopy architecture influences evapotranspiration losses and both water productivity (WP) and irrigation water productivity (IWP). Detailed information on them (yield per unit of water) would support the choice of the training system. This study compared the water productivity in 38 irrigated (IRR) and rainfed (RAIN) vineyards trained at tendone (T, n = 30) and vertical shoot positioning (VSP, n = 8). The green, blue and grey volumetric water footprints (WFs) were also employed to characterize T and VSP. At harvest, grape quality traits (pH, sugars and potassium concentrations) were examined too. The mean (±SE) IWP in TIRR reached 45.0 ± 7.2 kg m−3 being approx. 2.5-fold than that in VSPIRR. Furthermore, TIRR showed 60% (WFgreen) and 30% (WFblue) lower than VSPIRR. Findings show the attitude of TIRR in valuating water resources with no significant impact on grape quality. This study integrates the set of knowledge to be evaluated for training system choice managing the trade-offs between yield, grape quality and water productivity triggered by climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides additional information that emphasizes the growing international interest in the impact of climate (temperature, humidity, precipitation, solar activity) on grape yields and the quality of terroir wine. The study deals with the climate gradient of the terroir of the Derbent region of the Republic of Dagestan (Russia), located on the terraced accumulative-coastal plain of the Caspian lowland, stretching for 160 km from north to south in a narrow strip between the coast of the Caspian Sea and the foothills. The influence of soil and climatic conditions on the biochemical characteristics of red dry wines 'Kara-Koysu' from Cabernet Sauvignon wingrapes of the 2019–2021 harvest was studied. The growing season occurred in dry, moderately humid conditions in 2019; hot, with a lot of precipitation in 2020 and more extreme conditions in 2021. The conditions of recent years have contributed to the change of almost all the studied indicators of tested wines. Studies have found that the climatic conditions of 2020–2021 were more favorable for obtaining a rich harvest, high-quality wines due to more UV light exposure and precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was carried out in 2022 and 2023 to determine the effects of different width and single-double girdling treatments on grape quality in different phenologic periods of 'Yalova Çekirdeksizi' grape variety grown in the 'Table Grape Varieties Application and Research Vineyard' located in the 'ÇOMÜ Dardanos Campus, Faculty of Agriculture, Plant Production Research and Application Unit'. Within the scope of the research, a total of 9 treatments, including the control, were carried out in two different phenologic periods pre-bloom and post-berry set, followed by two different widths of single repeated girdling treatments, and double repeated girdling treatments during the veraison period. As a result; the numeral decrease in yield in the 5 mm girdling treatments (4.33 kg grapevine-1) may be due to the removal of a wider bark+phloem layer, resulting in a later closure of the wound tissues compared to the 3 mm girdling treatments (4.95 kg grapevine-1), and thus a decrease in assimilate products stored in the main root and old parts. Therefore, it was concluded that although 5 mm girdling treatments continue to give positive results in terms of grape quality in many parameters, it is not appropriate to repeat them more than one year in terms of average yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar–acid metabolism is a key factor in determining grape quality, and gluconeogenesis is one of the important sugar–acid metabolic pathways. To explore the effects of reduced light intensity on grape berry quality and gluconeogenesis under greenhouse cultivation, we used the 'Shine Muscat' cultivar. With decreasing light intensity, the photosynthetic activity in the grape leaves decreased, resulting in significant reductions in the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration intensity, and stomatal conductance while reducing organic matter accumulation, thus significantly affecting subsequent grape berry quality and gluconeogenesis. Shade treatment inhibited the accumulation of glucose, fructose, and soluble solids in the grape berries but promoted the accumulation of malic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acid. PEPCK and FBP are the key genes underlying the effect of light intensity on gluconeogenesis in grape berries, with PEPCK being involved mainly in tartaric acid metabolism and FBP being involved in malic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grapes are important sources of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid, which are recognized for their significant biological benefits. This study aimed to explore the potential of using a nano zinc oxide coating to preserve the freshness and quality of grapes, as well as the properties of grape molasses. Nano zinc oxide was applied at three different concentrations (0.0%, 0.5%, and 1% w/v) through a three-stage spraying process during the flowering, unripe, and ripening stages, 20 days before harvest. Grape samples were then stored at 4 °C for 35 days. Throughout the storage period, various parameters were measured, including pH, titratable acidity, weight loss, Brix°, total phenolic content, anthocyanin and ascorbic acid levels, antioxidant activity, color indexes (L*, a*, b*), and microbial counts. Also, the properties of molasses were evaluated. Over time, there was an increase in pH (3.58–3.75 to 4.19–4.62), weight loss (0 to 7.12–10.2%), Brix° (22.44–22.69 to 25.95–28.62), color index b* (20.44–22.18 to 23.01–25.77), total viable count of bacteria (3.24–3.34 to 3.52–3.83 Log CFU/g), and total mold and yeast count (3.06–3.35 to 3.48–3.74 Log CFU/g), while titratable acidity (0.78–0.82 to 0.58–0.67%), phenolic content (1.56–1.88 to 1.29–1.43 mg/g), anthocyanin (0.04–0.05 to 0.03–0.04 mg/g) and ascorbic acid levels (10.03–12.53 to 6.66 to 9.10 mg of vitamin C/100 mL), antioxidant activity (30.06–35.6 to 26.23–29.13%), and color indexes L* (42.91–43.74 to 37.50–39.18) and a* (− 2.10 to − 3.30 to − 3.80 to − 5.36) decreased, along with a decline in sensory scores. By increasing the concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles from 0 to 1% w/v, total sugar (66.85 to 67.56%) and Brix° (76.93 to 77.5) increased while conductivity (1.80 to 1.53 mS/cm) and specific gravity (1.55 to 1.38 g/cm3) decreased. The findings indicate that using a 0.5% w/v nano zinc oxide coating is effective in enhancing the freshness and maintaining the quality of grapes during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with grape pomace powder (GP) on the performance, egg quality and hatchability, and blood biochemistry of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 200 quails (323.90 ± 1.991 g body weight) were randomly divided into four treatment groups, with five replicates of ten birds each. The treatments involved dietary supplementation with GP at 0% (0GP), 1% (1GP), 2% (2GP), and 4% (4GP) of the basal diet for eight weeks. The results indicated that GP significantly affected feed intake, egg production, and egg weight. The 1GP and 2GP treatments had higher egg production and a better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the other treatments. The lowest egg production and poorest FCR in the study were in the 4GP group. Feed intakes and egg weights were lower in the supplemented groups than in the 0GP group. The 1GP, 2GP, and 4GP groups had higher eggshell breaking strength, Haugh unit, and egg albumen index values than the 0GP group. Plasma total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in all GP-supplemented groups were lower than in the 0GP quails. The effects of GP supplementation on chick live weight and early embryonic mortality were significant, with GP supplementation considerably reducing early embryonic deaths compared to the 0GP group. In conclusion, this study showed that adding up to 2% GP to quails' diets had no negative effects on live performance, improved some egg quality traits, decreased early embryonic deaths, and may have helped reduce total lipid and cholesterol levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural covering (NATC) has spread on hillside vineyards of central Italy as a replacement for tillage to reduce soil erosion, although it increased nitrogen and water needs. Therefore, in the current context of global warming, using cover crops (CCs) that require less water and provide nitrogen becomes crucial. The effects of two low-competition legume-enriched CCs in a rainfed hillside vineyard—a perennial legume–grass mixture (PLGM) and an annual legume cover crop of Trifolium alexandrinum (ALTA)—were compared with NATC over three years. PLGM and ALTA provided good levels of soil coverage, slightly lower than NATC, which had a negligible presence of legumes. PLGM and ALTA, due to low competition, enhanced vine vigor, resulting in thicker and wider canopies (as indicated by total leaf area and leaf layer number), higher pruning weight, and increased yield. PLGM and ALTA led to good qualitative levels, with higher grapes acidities, lower pH and total soluble solids content and, additionally, significantly higher yeast assimilable nitrogen content. In conclusion, implementing low-competition legume species in CCs is an effective tool to avoid soil erosion in a climate change scenario, leading to increased productivity, higher acidity, and improved nitrogen content in the grapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monitoring of grape quality parameters within viticulture using airborne remote sensing is an increasingly important aspect of precision viticulture. Airborne remote sensing allows high volumes of spatial consistent data to be collected with improved efficiency over ground-based surveys. Spectral data can be used to understand the characteristics of vineyards, including the characteristics and health of the vines. Within viticultural remote sensing, the use of cover-crop spectra for monitoring is often overlooked due to the perceived noise it generates within imagery. However, within viticulture, the cover crop is a widely used and important management tool. This study uses multispectral data acquired by a high-resolution uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and Sentinel-2 MSI to explore the benefit that cover-crop pixels could have for grape yield and quality monitoring. This study was undertaken across three growing seasons in the southeast of England, at a large commercial wine producer. The site was split into a number of vineyards, with sub-blocks for different vine varieties and rootstocks. Pre-harvest multispectral UAV imagery was collected across three vineyard parcels. UAV imagery was radiometrically corrected and stitched to create orthomosaics (red, green, and near-infrared) for each vineyard and survey date. Orthomosaics were segmented into pure cover-cropuav and pure vineuav pixels, removing the impact that mixed pixels could have upon analysis, with three vegetation indices (VIs) constructed from the segmented imagery. Sentinel-2 Level 2a bottom of atmosphere scenes were also acquired as close to UAV surveys as possible. In parallel, the yield and quality surveys were undertaken one to two weeks prior to harvest. Laboratory refractometry was performed to determine the grape total acid, total soluble solids, alpha amino acids, and berry weight. Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost v2.1.1) was used to determine the ability of remote sensing data to predict the grape yield and quality parameters. Results suggested that pure cover-cropuav was a successful predictor of grape yield and quality parameters (range of R2 = 0.37–0.45), with model evaluation results comparable to pure vineuav and Sentinel-2 models. The analysis also showed that, whilst the structural similarity between the both UAV and Sentinel-2 data was high, the cover crop is the most influential spectral component within the Sentinel-2 data. This research presents novel evidence for the ability of cover-cropuav to predict grape yield and quality. Moreover, this finding then provides a mechanism which explains the success of the Sentinel-2 modelling of grape yield and quality. For growers and wine producers, creating grape yield and quality prediction models through moderate-resolution satellite imagery would be a significant innovation. Proving more cost-effective than UAV monitoring for large vineyards, such methodologies could also act to bring substantial cost savings to vineyard management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowing the concentration levels of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins in grape berries plays a key role, as these compounds significantly contribute to the nutritional value and quality of grapes, affecting both health benefits and grape quality. The current study was conducted to investigate how different tillage (disc harrow, chisel, no tillage) and organic fertilizer (Antep radish and broccoli chopped residue, olive blackwater) treatments affect the concentration of these valuable compounds in Royal grape berries over three consecutive years (2020–2022), providing insights into optimal agricultural practices for enhancing grape quality. Our results documented significant variations in phenolic and anthocyanin concentrations across different soil tillage, organic fertilizer treatments and years. Among the soil treatments, the disc harrow treatment emerged as the most effective in increasing the levels of most phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, while the broccoli fertilizer treatment was identified as the superior fertilizer application for achieving the same goal. Excluding disc harrow and broccoli fertilizer treatments, other treatments such as no tillage and chisel tillage, and fertilizers like olive blackwater and Antep radish, showed variable effectiveness. These treatments, although less effective overall than the leading treatments, contributed to increased levels of certain compounds such as resveratrol and pterostilbene, indicating their specific benefits. The findings also indicated specific combinations of tillage and fertilizer treatments that maximized the accumulation of certain phenolic compounds, like the combination of no tillage with broccoli fertilizer, which was particularly effective in increasing the levels of vanillic acid and trans‐caffeic acid. To sum up, by adopting practices such as disc harrow tillage and broccoli fertilizer application, viticulturists can enhance the phenolic and anthocyanin profiles of grapes, thus improving their nutritional value and potentially the quality of grape and wine produced from these grapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality grape raw materials are fundamental for producing premium wine. Ensuring the quality of grape raw materials, particularly enhancing their phenolic profiles, significantly improves wine flavor. Therefore, this study focused on 'Cabernet Franc' grapes, where a 0.1% chitooligosaccharide (COS) solution was foliar sprayed during the green pea stage, the onset of veraison stage, and the mid-ripening stage to investigate the impact of exogenous COS treatment on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in grape berries. The results revealed that COS treatment during the green pea and the onset of veraison stages significantly increased the levels of total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin in grapes, with distinct effects on flavanols, phenolic acids, flavonols, and stilbenes, respectively. Eight key compounds most significantly influenced by the treatment were identified through orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and machine learning screening. Specifically, treatment during the green pea stage had a significant impact on total soluble solids, proanthocyanidin B1, catechin, and vanillic acid, while veraison treatment notably affected petunidin-3-O-(6″-O-p-coumaryl)-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-p-coumaryl)-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and isorhamnetin. This study could provide valuable data references and theoretical support for applying COS in wine grapes and regulating high-quality raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, the problems, challenges and opportunities of trellis design are dealt with in the conditions of cool climate viticulture influenced by climate changes. Viticulture in so-called cool climate regions faces a number of weather and climatic extremes that directly or indirectly damage the grapes and so the wine. A suitable option is to use the structural and technical implementation of vine trellises—training systems, canopy management, and pruning methods which can help the plant withstand various extremes. At the same time, it is essential to choose trellis design training systems that growers can maintain and that support the appropriate quality of the grapes. Viticultural regions of warmer climate are strengthening the shading potential of training systems. Even so, the central viticultural areas withstand highly variable extremes of previous vintages with numerous shortcomings in the shading potential of trellis design. Meanwhile, the cool climate regions tend to use a trellis design with a simple canopy and easy sunlight exposition to reach the maximum solar contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The spread of grape leaf diseases has a negative impact on the sustainable development of agriculture. Diseases induced by Uncinula necator significantly affect the quality of grapes. Bacillus biocontrol agents have been proven effective in disease management. However, limited research has been conducted on the impact of biocontrol agents on the assembly and potential functions of plant phyllosphere microbial communities. This study used high-throughput sequencing combined with bioinformatics analysis and culture omics technology for analysis. The results showed that biocontrol bacteria B. subtilis utilized in this study can significantly reduce the disease index of powdery mildew (p<0.05); concurrently, it exhibits a lower disease index compared to traditional fungicides. A comprehensive analysis has revealed that biocontrol bacteria have no significant impact on the diversity of phyllosphere fungi and bacteria, while fungicides can significantly reduce bacterial diversity. Additionally, biocontrol agents can increase the complexity of fungal networks and enhance the degree of modularity and stability of the bacterial network. The results also showed that the biocontrol agents, which contained a high amount of B. subtilis, were able to effectively colonize the grapevine phyllosphere, creating a microenvironment that significantly inhibits pathogenic bacteria on grape leaves while enhancing leaf photosynthetic capacity. In conclusion, biocontrol agents significantly reduce the grape powdery mildew disease index, promote a microenvironment conducive to symbiotic microorganisms and beneficial bacteria, and enhance plant photosynthetic capacity. These findings provide a basis for promoting biocontrol agents and offer valuable insights into sustainable agriculture development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Grapes are highly valued for their nutritional and economic benefits, and have been widely studied for their biological attributes such as fruit development, quality formation, and stress resistance. One significant threat to grape quality is gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, which can infect the flowers, fruits, leaves, and stems. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), known for its high sensitivity and quantitative accuracy, is an essential tool for analyzing gene expression related to the pathogenesis of gray mold, thereby providing deeper insights into the disease. Result: In this study, we aim to identify stable internal reference genes crucial for accurate gene expression analysis via qRT-PCR. Utilizing transcriptome data from grapes under various disease stresses, we identified twelve candidate reference genes with consistently high expression levels. The stability of these genes was assessed through delta-CT, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder analyses after establishing the cycling thresholds (Ct) in different grape varieties treated with Botrytis cinerea. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that VIT-17s0000g02750 and VIT-06s0004g04280 exhibit stable expression and are suitable as new reference genes. This foundational work supports further research into the molecular mechanisms of grape biological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated five grape cultivars, viz. Cardinal, Prima, Victoria, Regal Seedless, and Sultanine, grown at four sites in the semi-arid Saïs region of Morocco. The research aimed to assess how the region’s climatic conditions influence grape growth and quality, to identify cultivars suitable for local golden raisin production. Pomological and physico-chemical characteristics were measured, including fruit size, seed and skin weight, juice yield, and soluble solids. The Sultanine cultivar proved advantageous, with the longest bunch length (27.96 cm), heaviest bunch weight (651.39 g), highest total soluble solids (25.50° Brix), and highest sugars (18.11%). Victoria, a white grape cultivar, had the largest berry diameter (2.15 cm) and highest ascorbic acid content (22.23 mg/100 g). The study highlights Sultanine’s exceptional quality and suitability for the Saïs region, making it an ideal candidate for high-quality local sultanas. There is potential to boost production and reduce Morocco’s dependence on imported golden raisins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitis vinifera, also known as grapevine, is widely cultivated and commercialized, particularly to produce wine. As wine quality is directly linked to fruit quality, studying grapevine metabolism is important to understand the processes underlying grape composition. Genome-scale metabolic models (GSMMs) have been used for the study of plant metabolism and advances have been made, allowing the integration of omics datasets with GSMMs. On the other hand, Machine learning (ML) has been used to analyze and integrate omics data, and while the combination of ML with GSMMs has shown promising results, it is still scarcely used to study plants. Here, the first GSSM of V. vinifera was reconstructed and validated, comprising 7199 genes, 5399 reactions, and 5141 metabolites across 8 compartments. Tissue-specific models for the stem, leaf, and berry of the Cabernet Sauvignon cultivar were generated from the original model, through the integration of RNA-Seq data. These models have been merged into diel multi-tissue models to study the interactions between tissues at light and dark phases. The potential of combining ML with GSMMs was explored by using ML to analyze the fluxomics data generated by green and mature grape GSMMs and provide insights regarding the metabolism of grapes at different developmental stages. Therefore, the models developed in this work are useful tools to explore different aspects of grapevine metabolism and understand the factors influencing grape quality. Author summary: Grapevine is one of the most important crops in the world, mainly due to wine production. Understanding grape metabolism is key to improving fruit quality. Towards this aim, we reconstructed a generic genome-scale metabolic model of grapevine to represent grapevine metabolism in silico as well as tissue-specific models by integrating omics data of stem, leaf, and berry. These models were combined into day-night multi-tissue models to explore grapevine metabolism under different conditions. Then, we trained machine learning models with the fluxomics data predicted by the metabolic models to identify the changes in grape metabolism during development. This first effort of integrating omics, metabolic models and machine learning showcases the potential of applying this strategy for more insightful analyses, as additional data becomes available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Grape seeds, a major by-product of wineries, contain a high amount of protein and could potentially be exploited as a promising source of protein concentrate. There is a growing need to extract protein from vegetable sources, as opposed to animal sources, due to growing environmental concerns. Materials and methods. The protein concentrate was prepared from defatted grape seed meal by modifying the extraction pH at four levels i.e. 8, 9, 10, and 11. The effect of different pH levels on the amino acid composition and its structural, thermal, morphological and functional properties were studied. Results. The extracted grape seed protein concentrate resulted in a maximum yield and purity value of 12.23 ±0.23% and 55.66 ±0.15%, respectively, at different pH values. With an increase in the pH of grape seed protein concentrate, an increase in solubility, foaming stability and capacity, emulsifying capacity, and water and oil holding capacity were observed. In the flow properties of grape seed protein concentrate extracted at different pH levels, significant changes were observed in the loose bulk density, packed bulk density, true density, Hausner's Ratio, Carr's Index, and angle of repose of the protein concentrate. The SEM analysis revealed that protein in the pH-adjusted samples showed a more condensed and clustered shape. The grape seed protein concentrate extracted at pH 10 exhibited greater thermal stability, with a denaturation temperature of 104.23 ±2°C, in comparison to samples extracted at other pH levels. Conclusions. Adjusting the pH during the extraction process can be used as a promising technique to enhance the quality of grape seed protein concentrate, and has a variety of applications in various food formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitis vinifera L. is a commercially important horticultural plant with abundant microbial resources. However, the impact of grape-associated microbiota on grape quality and flavor has been largely overlooked. We integrated volatomics and microbiomics to explore temporal variations in berry volatiles and microbial diversity of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' in Ningxia (NX) and Shanxi (SX), and the correlation between microbial communities and volatiles. A total of 38 and 35 free and bound aroma compounds, respectively, were identified in NX berries and SX berries. For free aroma, these 38 compounds were classified into aldehydes (69%), alcohols (22%), acids (4%), aromatics (4%), terpenes (0.6%), esters (0.37%), and norisoprenoids (0.3%). Similarly, the 35 bound aromas were attributed to aromatics (58%), acids (29%), terpenes (4%), esters (3%), alcohols (2.82%), aldehydes (2.78%), and norisoprenoids (0.4%). Additionally, a total of 616 bacterial genera and 254 fungal genera were detected in all samples from both regions. The results demonstrated that vineyard sites significantly shaped the characteristics of berry volatiles and microbial biogeographic patterns. SX berries exhibited more abundant free aroma and higher microbial diversity than NX berries, with three key taxa (Sphingomonas, Massilia, and Bacillus) identified in the bacterial network. Correlation analysis results highlighted that these key taxa might play an important role in berry-free aroma. This study reveals the crucial role of microbes in shaping grape flavor and uncovers the link between microbial diversity and the regional attributes of grapes and wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This study was conducted to enrich grape varieties. (Methods]The growth and fruit quality of grape with different rootstock and scion combinations were compared and analyzed taking CR2, CR3 and CR9 as rootstocks and 'Huangjinmi' as grafted seedlings and own-rooted seedlings as control. (Results] The comprehensive scores of 'Huangjinmi' grape with different rootstock and scion combinations showed an order of HJM/CR9, HJM/CR2 and HJM/CR3 from high to low. The three rootstock and scion combinations obviously promoted the growth and adaptability of grape trees, increased fruit size and improved fruit quality. Through the quality analysis of untreated and treated fruits, HJM/CR9 was superior to ZGM. Different fruit management measures can be adopted for 'Huangjinmi' grape to produce fruit with different quality according to market demand. [Conclusions] This study has a guiding significance for screening grape varieties suitable for adverse environments such as high soil viscosity, high temperature and high humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different treatments on the seedlessness and fruit quality of 'Miguang' table grape was studied by using plant growth regulators, gibberellin acid (GA3) and forchlorfenuron (CPPU), under different concentrations and application time. The results showed that the eefects of diferent treatments on the seedleesnes and fruit quality were diferent. Seedlees rate, cluster weight, beery weight, beery shape index, soluble solid content, total acid content, soluble solids to acidity ratio, pulling resistance, turgor preesure and flesh firmnes without skin were comprehensively evaluated, as a result of which, the optimum treatment on 'Miguang' table grape was to apply with GA3 20 mg/L + SM 200 mg/L at one week before bloom and GA3 25 mg/L + CPPU 3 mg/L at two weeks ater bloom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to be determine the effects of conventional and organic soil and vine nutrition management on the growth, physiology and grape quality of vines of cv. 'Robola' in Kefalonia island, Greece. The overall aim was to understand and evaluate the combined effects of these different viticultural practices on soil quality (fertility) and on the physiological parameters of the vine as well as on grape quality, in terms of production sustainability and environmental biodiversity. The physiological parameters that were assessed and determined were leaf assimilation rate, leaf stomatal conductance, leaf transpiration and chlorophyll content. Additionally, grape and berry mechanical properties were also evaluated. The results of all the combinations of the two soil treatments with the three different nutrition methods (organic and two conventional), showed no statistically significant difference regarding the grape and berry mechanical properties. Moreover, the viticultural practice with reduced tillage and the application of slow-release fertilizer appears to show higher concentration of total soluble solids and higher pH and titratable acidity. Finally, the viticultural practice with the usual tillage (milling) and the application of fertilization with stems exhibited the highest values in the physiological parameters that were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Fruit loss frequently occurs due to physical and microbial deterioration. This study aimed to develop an emulsified coating formulation based on pectin (BP)/cellulose nanofibre (CNF)/(peppermint essential oil) PEO using the Pickering technique with an appropriate level of CNF as a stabiliser and to study its effect on grape quality during storage. The incorporation of 0.4% PEO‐stabilised with various 0.1%–0.325% CNF into 0.5% BP edible coatings was developed. A 0.175% concentration of CNF was found to be appropriate for stabilising the emulsion system. This technique improved the functional performance of BP coatings, including their antifungal activity against Penicillium digitatum by 64.94% on the 7th day of incubation. Moreover, light transmission at UV and visible wavelengths and elongation improved by 23.17% and 71.26% respectively compared to the pure BP‐based coating. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterise the biocompatibility of each coating formulation. The PEO‐CNF emulsion coating may be an alternative for the active coating of fresh fruit commodities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Xinomavro' (V. vinifera L.) is an important native red wine grape variety in Northern Greece, particularly in PDO (protected designation of origin) regions. Despite its significance, there is limited research on the effects of pruning type and severity on 'Xinomavro' vine physiology, yield, and berry quality across diverse environmental conditions. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap and provide growers with crucial information for optimizing vineyard management practices. The study was conducted over two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) in a vineyard in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. Four treatments (B12: 12 buds on 6 spurs, B24: 24 buds on 12 spurs, M12: 12 buds on 2 canes, and M24: 24 buds on 4 canes) combining two bud load levels (12 or 24 count nodes) and two pruning types (short spurs or long canes) were applied to 'Xinomavro' vines in a complete block randomized design. The vine water status, gas exchange, canopy characteristics, yield components, and berry composition were measured. Bud load and pruning type significantly influenced vine canopy development, microclimate, and yield components. Short pruning with high bud load (B24) resulted in denser canopies and higher yields, whereas cane pruning (M12 and M24) led to more open canopies and improved berry quality indicators. Treatment effects on berry composition were inconsistent across years but showed a tendency for higher anthocyanin and total phenol content in cane-pruned vines. This study demonstrates that pruning type (short or long fruiting units) may have a greater impact on vine growth, yield, and berry composition than bud load alone in 'Xinomavro' vines. Cane pruning appears to be a more effective strategy for achieving vine balance and potentially improving grape quality under given experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document "Special Issue: 'Advanced Studies in Maintaining Post-Harvest Quality of Fruits and Vegetables'" published in the journal Horticulturae focuses on new preservation technologies to enhance the quality, safety, and shelf life of fruits and vegetables. It includes articles on physical and chemical preservation technologies, preharvest treatment technologies, and other innovative methods. The research presented in this special issue aims to improve communication and collaboration in the field of horticultural post-harvest preservation technology, benefiting the horticultural industry's healthy development. [Extracted from the article]

Accurate evaluation of grapevine water use is essential for optimizing water management and maximizing grapevine yield and berry quality in Mediterranean climates. Understanding the water and heat flux dynamics in a vineyard during grapevine berry maturation is of utmost importance. This study focuses on evaluating sensible and latent energy fluxes at the canopy, the soil beneath the canopy, and the interrow areas. The primary objective is to develop a model framework for accurately estimating these energy fluxes, contributing to a better understanding of their behavior during berry ripening. The model's accuracy was assessed by comparing the estimated fluxes with those measured by an eddy-covariance system installed at a reference height of three meters in the experimental vineyard. This validation step was essential to confirm the model's ability to capture the intricate energy flux dynamics of the vineyard, especially during grape maturation. The results revealed a high level of agreement between the observed and estimated fluxes, confirming the model's reliability. This comprehensive evaluation of energy fluxes provides valuable insights for optimizing irrigation strategies. By doing so, this study contributes to improving grape quality, ensuring sustainable water resource use, and ultimately enhancing vineyard productivity in arid and water-scarce regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving optimal coloration in red table grapes, especially in warm-climate regions, presents significant challenges due to high temperatures that inhibit anthocyanin biosynthesis. Conventional methods to enhance grape coloration, including the use of abscisic acid (ABA), ethephon, foliar nutrient supplementation, and viticultural practices like cluster trimming and girdling, have limitations related to cost, regulatory restrictions, and potential adverse effects on grapes quality. This study proposes the application of tsikoudia, a traditional Greek alcoholic beverage, as a novel, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to conventional practices. Tsikoudia, applied during the veraison stage, significantly improved the coloration of 'Crimson Seedless' and 'Red Globe' grapes by enhancing anthocyanin accumulation and altering color parameters. Specifically, lightness (L*), chroma (C*), and hue angle (h), measured using the CIE-Lab color system, were reduced, while the Color Index for Red Grapes (CIRG) was increased. Additionally, total anthocyanin content, determined through spectrophotometric analysis, also showed an increase. These changes indicate a more intense red coloration. This research highlights the effectiveness of tsikoudia in improving grape coloration and contributes to the development of more sustainable viticultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of wine depends upon the quality of the grapes, which, in turn, are affected by different viticulture aspects and the climate during the grape-growing season. Obtaining wine professionals' judgments of the intrinsic qualities of selected wine products is a time-consuming task. It is also expensive. Instead of waiting for the wine to be produced, it is better to have an idea of the quality before harvesting, so that wine growers and wine manufacturers can use high-quality grapes. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the use of machine learning aspects in predicting Pinot Noir wine quality and to develop a pipeline which represents the major steps from vineyards to wine quality indices. This study is specifically related to Pinot Noir wines based on experiments conducted in vineyards and grapes produced from those vineyards. Climate factors and other wine production factors affect the wine quality, but our emphasis was to relate viticulture parameters to grape composition and then relate the chemical composition to quality as measured by the experts. This pipeline outputs the predicted yield, values for basic parameters of grape juice composition, values for basic parameters of the wine composition, and quality. We also found that the yield could be predicted because of input data related to the characteristics of the vineyards. Finally, through the creation of a web-based application, we investigated the balance of berry yield and wine quality. Using these tools further developed, vineyard owners should be able to predict the quality of the wine they intend to produce from their vineyards before the grapes are even harvested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current review provides a thorough examination of the intricate interplay between viticultural and winemaking factors and their influence on the levels of amino acids and biogenic amines in grapes and wine. The study encompasses a comprehensive analysis of diverse viticultural practices, including the influence of grape variety, ripeness, climate, and terroir among others. Furthermore, the review scrutinizes the impact of various winemaking factors on the accumulation of amino acids and biogenic amines. These factors encompass a range of variables, including maceration techniques and must conditions as well as sulfur dioxide application, and aging and storage conditions. By considering these factors, the review aims to provide a holistic understanding of the complex dynamics governing the formation and concentration of amino acids and biogenic amines throughout the grape – growing and winemaking processes. The findings underscore the importance of viticultural and winemaking decisions in shaping the aromatic and sensory profile and safety of wines, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to grape cultivation and wine production. Additionally, the review explores potential future research directions and implications for oenology practices, paving the way for advancements in optimizing grape and wine quality while maintaining a focus on safety – related aspects associated with biogenic amines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PIWI, from the German word Pilzwiderstandsfähig, meaning "fungus-resistant", refers to grapevine cultivars bred for resistance to fungal pathogens such as Erysiphe necator (the causal agent of powdery mildew) and Plasmopara viticola (the causal agent of downy mildew), two major diseases in viticulture. These varieties are typically developed through traditional breeding, often crossbreeding European Vitis vinifera with American or Asian species that carry natural disease resistance. This study investigates the transcriptional profiles of exocarp tissues in mature berries from four PIWI grapevine varieties compared to their elite parental counterparts using RNA-seq analysis. We performed RNA-seq on four PIWI varieties (two red and two white) and their noble parents to identify differential gene expression patterns. Comprehensive analyses, including Differential Gene Expression (DEGs), Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), and tau analysis, revealed distinct gene clusters and individual genes characterizing the transcriptional landscape of PIWI varieties. Differentially expressed genes indicated significant changes in pathways related to organic acid metabolism and membrane transport, potentially contributing to enhanced resilience. WGCNA and k-means clustering highlighted co-expression modules linked to PIWI genotypes and their unique tolerance profiles. Tau analysis identified genes uniquely expressed in specific genotypes, with several already known for their defense roles. These findings offer insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying grapevine resistance and suggest promising avenues for breeding strategies to enhance disease resistance and overall grape quality in viticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims. The Mediterranean climate has been traditionally favorable for winemaking and irrigation practice has been historically avoided and even forbidden, but current productive scenarios are suffering radical changes because of global warming. Therefore, seeking sustainable approaches to improve water availability is key to obtaining high‐quality wines and maintain its style, without affecting yields. Methods and Results. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of irrigation in Merlot vineyards, on grapes production and quality, and also on wine acceptability. Field‐grown grapevines from cv. "Merlot" were subjected to two different water supplies in the field: (i) nonirrigated plants and (ii) irrigated plants with 50% of crop evapotranspiration, from veraison to commercial harvest. We assessed water stress markers such as leaf relative water content, leaf hydration, and the maximum efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry, as well as grape and wine quality parameters, wine acceptability, and preference with a panel composed of 100 participants. Furthermore, we performed a systematic review study for comparison, including 9 published reports on Merlot grapevines subjected to different water regimes, oriented to improve irrigation decisions, yield, and/or quality. Results showed that half water supply on grapevines not only induced an increase in the volume and weight of grapes, but the resulting wines had a lower total acidity and showed more desirable chromatic properties, increasing colour intensity and hue, and decreasing brightness. Sensory analysis revealed that 63% of the untrained panel preferred wines from the irrigation treatment. Integrating previously reported data, it is observed that water scarcity is favorable for quality only when compared with fully irrigated vineyards. Conclusions. It is concluded that a half irrigation can be enough to improve grape quality under Mediterranean conditions, without affecting yield components and enhancing sensory characteristics that can improve wine acceptance by consumers. Water management approaches to sustainably provide this extra amount of water to irrigate field‐grown grapevines under the current context of climate change are discussed. Significance of the Study. The present study's findings provide valuable information regarding water management in Mediterranean vineyards and its effects on the suitability of these areas to maintain high‐quality wine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids, including proanthocyanidins (PAs), anthocyanins and flavonols are essential secondary metabolites that contribute to the nutritional value and sensory quality of grape berry and red wine. Advances in molecular biology technology have led to substantial progress in understanding the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis. The influence of terroir on grape berries and wine has garnered increasing attention, yet its comprehensive regulatory network remains underexplored. In terms of application, environmental factors such as water, light, and temperature are more easily regulated in grapevines compared to soil conditions. Therefore, we summarize their effects on flavonoid content and composition, constructing a network that links environmental factors, hormones, and metabolites to provide a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This review enriches the knowledge of the regulatory network mechanisms governing flavonoid responses to environmental factors in grapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A number of Italian grape berry varieties, such as Fiano (F) and Pallagrello Nero (P), represent National strategic products. Therefore, it is important to identify soil conditions emphasizing their peculiar characteristics as well as find innovative and sustainable treatments improving their compositional and nutraceutical quality. The field spray preparation 500 is a biodynamic product that is presumed to serve as biostimulant on the vine. However, so far, the scientific results probing its effectiveness are still lacking. Moreover, it is necessary to establish a reliable relationship between the grape quality and the spatial microvariability of the vineyard's soil. On this basis, the main objective of this work consisted in correlating structural and morphological characteristics (via MRI), the primary metabolome (via semi-solid state HRMAS NMR) and important nutraceutical parameters (total phenols and antioxidants via DPPH assay) of F and P grapes with both the action of preparation 500 biostimulant and the vineyard soil microvariability, based on soil apparent electrical conductivity. Results: HRMAS enabled the identification of the primary metabolome of F and P. The elaboration of 1H NMR spectra through chemometrics revealed significant changes in F and P grapes, accounting for both soil microvariability and the application of field spray (the latter also confirmed by PLS-DA and Heat-map clustering). Interestingly, for both F and P it was observed a significantly lower content of carbohydrates after biostimulant treatment while MRI revealed diagnostic structural and internal details of intact grapes. The combined use of proton parametric indices, such as relaxation times and diffusion coefficients, indicated alterations induced in grapes by both the spatial microvariability of the soil and the effects of investigated biostimulant. Interestingly, a tight correlation was found between MRI transverse relaxation time and the contents in total phenols and antioxidants. Conclusions: Our results have proven that both soil spatial microvariability and the application of field spray preparation 500 significantly affect the structural, metabolomic and nutraceutical characteristics of grapes. Moreover, the preparation 500 treatment has increased the nutraceutical value of grapes. Importantly, these data may be potentially used to promote and protect biodynamic grape and predict the quality of the resulting wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Exogenous melatonin (MT) can promote horticultural crops growth under stress conditions. Methods: In this study, the effects of exogenous MT on the accumulation of selenium (Se) in grape were studied under Se stress. Results and discussion: Under Se stress, exogenous MT increased the biomass, content of photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant enzyme activity of grapevines. Compared with Se treatment, MT increased the root biomass, shoot biomass, chlorophyll a content, chlorophyll b content, carotenoids, superoxide dismutase activity, and peroxidase activity by 18.11%, 7.71%, 25.70%, 25.00%, 25.93%, 5.73%, and 9.41%, respectively. Additionally, MT increased the contents of gibberellin, auxin, and MT in grapevines under Se stress, while it decreased the content of abscisic acid. MT increased the contents of total Se, organic Se and inorganic Se in grapevines. Compared with Se treatment, MT increased the contents of total Se in the roots and shoots by 48.82% and 135.66%, respectively. A transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that MT primarily regulated the cellular, metabolic, and bioregulatory processes of grapevine under Se stress, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were primarily enriched in pathways, such as aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, spliceosome, and flavonoid biosynthesis. These involved nine DEGs and nine metabolic pathways in total. Moreover, a field experiment showed that MT increased the content of Se in grapes and improved their quality. Therefore, MT can alleviate the stress of Se in grapevines and promote their growth and the accumulation of Se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice of training system impacts the architecture and physiological characteristics of grapevines, affecting grape production and quality. Continuous studies are necessary to optimize viticulture production in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rootstocks and different training systems on the production and quality of 'IAC 138-22 Máximo' and 'BRS Violeta' grapevines for juice and wine. The experiment was conducted over two productive cycles (2019/2020 and 2020/2021) in an experimental vineyard at the Advanced Center for Fruit Research as part of the Agronomic Institute (IAC), in Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil (23°06′ S, 46°55′ W, and 745 m altitude). For each cultivar, a randomized block design in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme was used, with two rootstocks ('IAC 766 Campinas' and 106-8 'Mgt') and two training systems (low and high trellises), with five blocks of three plants per experimental plot. In both cycles, the gas exchange and grapevine production, the chemical characteristics of the grape juice (must), and the chemical compounds in the berry skins were evaluated. The rootstocks and training systems influenced the variables evaluated in both cultivars, with the high trellis system providing the best results. This approach increased the photosynthetic rate, improved water-use efficiency, elevated grapevine production, and enhanced fruit quality. Therefore, its use is recommended for training grapevines. Regarding rootstocks, the best scion–rootstock affinity was found between hybrid grapevines and 'IAC 766 Campinas'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-hail nets have been employed in viticulture to reduce the damage caused by hailstorms, but whether this strategy may have detrimental effects on grape quality in the Mediterranean region is still unknown. This study was carried out in the Salento region during the 2023 harvest to evaluate the grape microclimate and fruit quality attributes of 'Fiano' white grapes grown uncovered or covered with either crystal or black nets. The nets had a small but significant effect on the air temperature (about 0.3 °C and 0.1 °C higher with black and crystal nets, respectively) and relative humidity (about 1% lower with both black and crystal nets) in the grape zone. However, no significant variation was recorded for grape colouration (except for the chromaticity coordinate a*) nor for the main skin photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids), the total polyphenolic content, and the total soluble solids. Our preliminary results suggest that anti-hail nets can be effective to protect the grapevines against hailstorms and other adverse weather conditions, without having negative impacts on the colour development and bioactive compounds of white grapes in the Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of pesticides in viticulture may play a crucial role in ensuring the health and quality of grapes. This review analyzes the most common pesticides used, illustrating their classification and toxicity, and their variations throughout the winemaking process. Fungicides are generally harmless or mildly toxic, whereas insecticides are classified as either highly or moderately hazardous. Potential alternatives to synthetic pesticides in wine production are also reviewed, thereby including biopesticides and biological agents. Analytical methods for detecting and quantifying pesticide residues in wine are then described, including liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. This review also discusses the impact of the winemaking process on pesticide content. Pesticides with strong hydrophobicity were more likely to accumulate in solid byproducts, whereas hydrophilic pesticides were distributed more in the liquid phase. Grape's skin contains lipids, so hydrophobic pesticides adsorb strongly on grape surfaces and the clarification has been shown to be effective in the reduction of hydrophobic compounds. Therefore, the final wine could have more quantities of hydrophilic pesticides. Alcoholic fermentation has been shown to be crucial in pesticide dissipation. However, pesticide residues in wine have been shown an antagonistic effect on yeasts, affecting the safety and quality of wine products. Therefore, proteomic and genomic analyses of yeast growth are reviewed to understand the effects of pesticides on yeast during fermentation. The last section describes new effective methods used in removing pesticides from grapes and wine, thereby improving product quality and reducing harmful effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examined the influence of various storage conditions on Thompson seedless (Vitis vinifera) grapes quality. Research method: Grapes were stored under four conditions: control (room temperature i.e., 20-22°C, no SO2), T1 with SO2 sheets at room temperature i.e., 20-22°C, T2 with SO2 sheets in cold storage at 1°C and T3 without SO2 sheets in cold storage at 1°C. Changes in acidity, total soluble solids (TSS), total anthocyanin content, total phenols, sugars (glucose and fructose), transresveratrol, decay %, weight loss % and antioxidant activity were monitored over 60 days. Findings: The findings revealed a synergistic effect between SO2 and cold storage. Grapes stored with both SO2 sheets and cold storage (T1) exhibited the slowest decline in anthocyanin, phenols and antioxidant activity of 211.06 mg/L, 2102.39 mg/L and 7.19 mM DPPH, respectively after 60 days. T1 grapes found to have slower reduction in sugars and transresveratrol concentration i.e., 15.47 to 15.37 g/100mL and 695 to 516 µg/g, respectively compared to control samples 15.47 to 14.81 g/100mL and 695 to 500 µg/g, respectively. Research limitations: The study focused solely on storage conditions of Thompson seedless variety grapes, limiting the generalizability of the findings to different grape varieties and maturity levels. Originality/value: These results highlighted the importance of proper storage techniques, particularly the combined use of SO2 and cold storage, for maintaining grape quality and extending shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Grape is of high economic value. Colletotrichum viniferum, a pathogen causing grape ripe rot and leaf spot, threatens grape production and quality. Methods: This study investigates the interplay between C. viniferum by Cytological study and transcriptome sequencing. Results: Different grapevine germplasms, V. vinifera cv. Thompson Seedless (TS), V. labrusca accession Beaumont (B) and V. piasezkii Liuba-8 (LB-8) were classified as highly sensitive, moderate resistant and resistant to C. viniferum, respectively. Cytological study analysis reveals distinct differences between susceptible and resistant grapes post-inoculation, including faster pathogen development, longer germination tubes, normal appressoria of C. viniferum and absence of white secretions in the susceptible host grapevine. To understand the pathogenic mechanisms of C. viniferum, transcriptome sequencing was performed on the susceptible grapevine "TS" identifying 236 differentially expressed C. viniferum genes. These included 56 effectors, 36 carbohydrate genes, 5 P450 genes, and 10 genes involved in secondary metabolism. Fungal effectors are known as pivotal pathogenic factors that modulate plant immunity and affect disease development. Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana screened 10 effectors (CvA13877, CvA01508, CvA05621, CvA00229, CvA07043, CvA05569, CvA12648, CvA02698, CvA14071 and CvA10999) that inhibited INF1 (infestans 1, P. infestans PAMP elicitor) induced cell death and 2 effectors (CvA02641 and CvA11478) that induced cell death. Additionally, transcriptome analysis of "TS" in response to C. viniferum identified differentially expressed grape genes related to plant hormone signaling (TGA, PR1, ETR, and ERF1/2), resveratrol biosynthesis genes (STS), phenylpropanoid biosynthesis genes (PAL and COMT), photosynthetic antenna proteins (Lhca and Lhcb), transcription factors (WRKY, NAC, MYB, ERF, GATA, bHLH and SBP), ROS (reactive oxygen species) clearance genes (CAT, GSH, POD and SOD), and disease-related genes (LRR, RPS2 and GST). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most important economic crops, grapes have attracted considerable attention due to their high yield, rich nutritional value, and various health benefits. Identifying grape bunches is crucial for maintaining the quality and quantity of grapes, as well as managing pests and diseases. In recent years, the combination of automated equipment with object detection technology has been instrumental in achieving this. However, existing lightweight object detection algorithms often sacrifice detection precision for processing speed, which may pose obstacles in practical applications. Therefore, this thesis proposes a lightweight detection method named YOLOv8s-grape, which incorporates several effective improvement points, including modified efficient channel attention (MECA), slim-neck, new spatial pyramid pooling fast (NSPPF), dynamic upsampler (DySample), and intersection over union with minimum point distance (MPDIoU). In the proposed method, MECA and NSPPF enhance the feature extraction capability of the backbone, enabling it to better capture crucial information. Slim-neck reduces redundant features, lowers computational complexity, and effectively reuses shallow features to obtain more detailed information, further improving detection precision. DySample achieves excellent performance while maintaining lower computational costs, thus demonstrating high practicality and rapid detection capability. MPDIoU enhances detection precision through faster convergence and more precise regression results. Experimental results show that compared to other methods, this approach performs better in the grapevine bunch detection dataset and grapevine bunch condition detection dataset, with mean average precision (mAP50-95) increasing by 2.4% and 2.6% compared to YOLOv8s, respectively. Meanwhile, the computational complexity and parameters of the method are also reduced, with a decrease of 2.3 Giga floating-point operations per second and 1.5 million parameters. Therefore, it can be concluded that the proposed method, which integrates these improvements, achieves lightweight and highprecision detection, demonstrating its effectiveness in identifying grape bunches and assessing biophysical anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]