Search

The aim of the trial was to test the effects of cluster spray treatments by a solution (0.03%) of chitosan, on the grape secondary metabolite synthesis of V. vinifera cv. Montepulciano. A proteomic and metabolomic approach was developed in order to investigate the enzymes and the final metabolites affected by elicitation. Pathway analysis of differential proteins highlighted the involvement of pterostilbene and triterpenoid (ursolate, oleanolate, betulinate) biosynthesis, and the metabolomic analysis showed an increasing of triterpenoids and pterostilbene in treated grapes.

Viticulture is in great need of new rootstocks sharing features of scion growth control and tolerance to major biotic and abiotic stress factors. A two year study was carried out in pots to assess performances of the two new M1 and M3 rootstocks vs. those of the commercial rootstocks 1103P and 101-14. Potted vines of M1, M3, 1103P and 101-14 rootstocks were grown in a calcareous and non calcareous soil and for two consecutive seasons subjected to three N supply levels at 0, 2 and 4 g of N per pot. Vegetative growth, leaf gas exchange, leaf greenness index (GI) and leaf blade nutrition were assessed. M1 and 1103P were the least vigorous genotypes in terms of total pruning weight; M1 also manifested a stronger apical dominance. Both M rootstocks and 101-14 showed increased leaf WUE at both N supply levels which was due to ability to maintain, at increasing N supply, similar leaf assimilation rates while significantly reducing leaf transpiration. Common tendency of any rootstocks was that increasing N supply corresponded to lowered leaf concentration of K, P, Mg and B. M1 was able to combine a series of desirable features including lower vigor, strong apical dominance, higher WUE at increasing N supply and quite well balanced leaf nutritional pattern. In the present trial M3 did not have the expected devigorating effect.

Si è studiata l'adattabilità di nuovi portinnesti della vite a condizioni di differente disponibilità di azoto nel mezzo e verificato il loro effetto sulla nutrizione azotata di Vitis vinifera

E'stata studiata l'adattabilità di nuovi portinnesti della vite della serie M a condizioni di differente disponibilità di potassio nel mezzo e verificato il loro effetto sulla nutrizione minerale, in particolare potassico-magnesiaca, di Vitis vinifera

Il volume raccoglie i risultati delle ricerche condotte nel quadriennio 2010-2013 nell'ambito del Progetto AGER-Serres relativamente alla selezione di nuovi portinnesti di vite resistenti a stress abiotici mediante lo sviluppo e la validazione di marcatori fisiologici e molecolari.

Il volume raccoglie i risultati delle ricerche condotte nel quadriennio 2010-2013 nell'ambito del Progetto AGER-Serres relativamente alla selezione di nuovi portinnesti di vite resistenti a stress abiotici mediante lo sviluppo e la validazione di marcatori fisiologici e molecolari.

E'stata studiata l'adattabilità di nuovi portinnesti della vite della serie M a condizioni di differente disponibilità di potassio nel mezzo e verificato il loro effetto sulla nutrizione minerale, in particolare potassico-magnesiaca, di Vitis vinifera

Si è studiata l'adattabilità di nuovi portinnesti della vite a condizioni di differente disponibilità di azoto nel mezzo e verificato il loro effetto sulla nutrizione azotata di Vitis vinifera

Amid growing concerns over global warming and available management strategies for reducing cluster temperature to prevent overheating and sunburn damage, there is increasing interest in sprawling, non-positioned canopies as an alternative to traditional vertically-positioned ones. However, management of sprawling canopies needs adjustments so that a mostly erect growth pattern is maintained during the season. A three-year study (2009–2011) was carried out to investigate the performance of 15-yr-old Pinot noir grapevines trained to a single high-wire trellis (SHW) subjected to pre-bloom shoot trimming to retain seven (T7) or eleven (T11) main stem leaves. Results showed significant year x treatment interactions: with a low crop and weather conducive to post-trimming lateral re-growth in 2010, trimmed vines had higher leaf area, soluble solids concentration, pH, total anthocyanins and cluster rot incidence than control vines, whereas in 2009 and 2011 the overall must compositional pattern was reversed due to sub-optimal leaf-to-fruit ratios in the trimmed plots. The effects linked to this necessary operation are very much dependent upon unpredictable weather occurring after shoot trimming and, hence, the milder trimming severity (T11) may more successfully balance the need of inducing a still mostly erect canopy while retaining more vine leaves to buffer any weak lateral formation after trimming. The paper provides new and useful knowledge for improved canopy management in trellises having free shoot growth due to absence of foliage wires.

A breeding programme by intra-specific crossing was set up in 1989, in the experimental Station "Riccagioia" (Lombardia region, north-west Italy), with the aim of getting new varieties mainly for white sparkling wine. V. vinifera L. 'Riesling italico' was used as the female parent, while cv. 'Pinot noir' and cv. 'Chardonnay' were used as males, resulting in two progenies (designated RPN and RCH). 900 and 400 seedlings were obtained from RPN and RCH crossings respectively, and a low-pressure field selection was performed, choosing 50 individuals out of the 1,300, by utilizing as screening criteria vegetative habit, phenology, ripening and health aspects. The selected seedlings were grafted on SO4 rootstock, and the productivity and qualitative grape parameters of the field-grown vines were checked over a 4-year-period (2002- 2005) by multifactorial analysis of variance (MANOVA) and SNK (Student Newman Keuls). DNA fingerprinting (by microsatellite) of the progenies and the parent varieties was performed as well, confirming the parentage. Grapes were vinified at harvest, and the wines were evaluated according to sensory analysis, by processing the main descriptors by the non parametric Friedman test. According to the above mentioned parameters, three new varieties were selected, as follows: RCH10 and RPN33 (both white berry) and RPN26 (red berry), due to a good canopy (RCH10), high acidity and sugar and very low cluster and berry weight (RPN26). RCH10 and RPN33 are interesting for sparkling wine because of the white color, the wider sensorial profile and the highest pleasure indices, as compared to the parents (cv. 'Riesling italico' and cv. 'Pinot noir'). RPN 26 has an unexpected later ripening and a wine color intensity much higher than 'Pinot noir', being suitable for the production of red wines; according to the high-pressure selection tightly connected with the objectives of this breeding program, this genotype would have been excluded in the first step of the sel

A better physiological and productive performance of cv. Montepulciano versus cv. Sangiovese under well-watered conditions has been recently assessed. The objective of this study was to verify that this behaviour is maintained when a pre-veraison deficit irrigation (vines held at 40% pot capacity from fruit-set to veraison) followed by re-watering (pot capacity reported at 90%). Single leaf assimilation rate and stomatal conductance, diurnal and seasonal whole-canopy net CO2 exchange (NCER) and water use efficiency were always higher in Sangiovese under deficit irrigation. Due to water shortage Montepulciano displayed a more compact growing habit due to decreased shoot and internode length. Sangiovese showed excellent recovery upon re-watering as NCER resulted to be higher than the pre-stress period; however, this might also relate to early and severe basal leaf yellowing and shedding. Early deficit irrigation affected xylem characteristics of Montepulciano more than in Sangiovese; vessel density increased (37 vs 29%, respectively, compared with well-watered vines) and the hydraulic conductance decreased more (-13 vs -3% respectively) compared with well-watered vines. Yield components and technological maturity were similar in the two cultivars, whereas Montepulciano grapes had lower anthocyanins and phenolics. Higher physiological and productive efficiency under non-limiting water conditions showed by Montepulciano compared with Sangiovese was basically reversed when both cultivars were subjected to an early deficit irrigation. © CSIRO 2014.

Selection of new grape cultivars by intraspecific crossing increases biodiversity as well as improves some parents’ characteristics. However, their success is still unclear. It seems to depend upon how well they respond to different challenges and demands of the modern viticulture, such as their adaptability to climate change and vineyard mechanization. This research aims to characterize vine performance and suitability to mechanical harvesting of cultivar ‘Ervi’ (V. vinifera L.), an Italian crossbreed between ‘Barbera’ and ‘Croatina’. The trial was performed between 2008 and 2010 on the Piacenza hills using Guyot trained vines. Cluster number and yield per vine were recorded at harvest. Subsequently, shoot fertility, cluster and berry weight were calculated accordingly. Soluble solids, pH and must titratable acidity were analyzed as well as total anthocyanins and phenols grape content. A pool of 891 berries was randomly picked and their respective detachment force was measured by a dynamometer. ‘Ervi’ showed more constant yield than its parents and shoot fertility higher than ‘Croatina’ suggesting that short spur pruning is feasible. Berry weight in ‘Ervi’ was also lower than in ‘Barbera’. Ripening was earlier than both parents. The adaptability of ‘Ervi’ to the mechanical harvesting is similar to ‘Barbera’ and better than ‘Croatina’. The BDF is cultivar-dependent and is an important parameter for mechanical harvesting. Its application as a maturity index is still premature.

Selection of resistant rootstcks to overcome recent climate-change events is a crucial factor for developing sustainable agricultural practices and for assuring optimal quality of grapes.

La prova è stata condotta in due vigneti di Barbera di circa venti anni siti a 245 e a 385 m slm, esposti a Nord e allevati a Guyot con piante binate. Nell’agosto 2009 una tesi è stata standardizzata a un grappolo per germoglio e confrontata con una di controllo per verificare l’effetto del diradamento dell’uva all’invaiatura. Le piante trattate non hanno manifestato una compensazione produttiva ed è stata registrata una consistente riduzione delle rese (da 8,7 a 4,2 kg/vite). Il trattamento ha indotto un globale miglioramento qualitativo nonché un aumento del potere antiossidante e del tenore in trans-resveratrolo del vino.

Il complesso dei risultati otte¬nuti, quindi, ha consentito di individuare nel territorio vita¬to collinare delle province di Ravenna e di Forlì-Cesena, cinque “unità vocazionali”, che abbiamo chiamato Terre, in cui é lecito attendersi che i vitigni Sangiovese e Albana forniscano un prodotto ricono¬scibile e di qualità. In sintesi, lo studio pluriennale che ha condotto all’individua¬zione delle “Terre del Sangio¬vese e dell’Albana della collina di Ravenna e Forlì-Cesena” consente, ora, di: - conoscere i caratteri dei suoli che maggiormente in¬fluenzano lo sviluppo vege¬tativo e la produttività del Sangiovese e dell’Albana per la produzione di un vino di qualità (es. capacità di immagazzinare riserve d’ac¬qua, capacità di drenaggio, profondità utile alle radici); - realizzare nuovi impianti in condizioni pedologiche e quindi edafiche ottimali e adottare le opportune tecni¬che di gestione del suolo; - individuare aree preferen¬ziali per la coltivazione della vite e contribuire così alla valorizzazione del territorio d’origine. L’obiettivo principale di questo studio è, comunque quello di fornire uno strumento di scelta e di ausilio all’imprenditorialità delle aziende vitivinicole.

Sangiovese, the most widespread red berry Italian wine variety, occupies 69790 ha of the total national vine surface. Just in Emilia Romagna, predominantly in the hillsides from Imola to Rimini, this variety covers over 8000 ha, roughly 13, 4% of the region’s vine surface. As part of the C.R.P.V. project “Viticultural zoning of the Romagna hills”, 15 vineyards of Sangiovese with similar age, plant densities and training systems but different altitudes were identified and their pedologic characteristics accurately described. The results show that altitude and the geology of the soil, and consequent deriving soil characteristics, are the main environmental factors that influence production, sugar level and anthocyanins content in the Sangiovese variety. In fact, also the final wines show a different colour intensity, structure and aroma depending on the soil type.

Cluster thinning applied at veraison on Barbera grapevine variety reduced grape yield by 51.7% and titratable acidity by 9.6%, while increasing the soluble solids and pH by 8.2% and 2.6% respectively. Cluster thinning enhanced the trans-piceide and trans-resveratrol wine concentration over the control, ranging from 0.40 mg/L to 0.26 mg/L and from 1.41 mg/L to 0.98 mg/L respectively. The antioxidant activity of thinned vines were 50% higher than the control vines.

I vini delle sabbie sono una particolarità nel panorama della viticoltura europea.Sono vini prodotti in territori di ambienti costieri, con suoli a prevalente struttura sabbiosa. Sono una tipicità che può contribuire alla caratterizzazione ed allo sviluppo economico di un territorio.

The particular soils of the of the Piacenziano Geologic Reserve are internationally recognized with the name “Piacenziano” (medium Pliocene, between 3.6 and 2.6 million years ago). The structured sensory analysis of the wines of the Piacenziano has shown, mainly for the Monterosso white wine, the most important sensorial descriptors and the significative differences of the sensory profile with the other wines produced in the zone.

Pignoletto is the most typical grapevine white variety of the province of Bologna covering just over 800 ha. Known also as Grechetto of Todi in Umbria, Pignoletto is vigorous, constantly productive, medium-late harvesting. According to the "Zonazione della Collina Emiliana" project, started in 2003 by C.R.P.V. coordination, Colli Bolognesi area has been characterized as regarding the soil and the climate. Data recorded during 2004 and 2005 showed that production, vigour and must quality of Pignoletto grapevine variety were affected above all by soil characteristics, texture and lime, and the produced wines were distinguishable and with different sensorial profiles

The Albana is the typical white grapevine variety of the Romagna hills, where it occupies more than 2.500 ha. The Italian DOCG “Albana di Romagna”, created in 1987, is one of the oldest in the country. Highest concentrations of this variety can be found around Imola and the hills of Ravenna although the productions of Bertinoro, in Forlì zone, are well know for their quality. As part of a zoning project of the Romagna hills, the classic territory of the Albana was object of an accurate geo-pedologic, climatic, agronomic and viti-enological assessment. The results have highlighted some environments in which Albana wines display recognisable sensory characteristics.

The Lambruschi family, which is typical of the Emilia planes, covers some 70% of the viticultural area of Modena province. Within the Lambruschi family, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Salamino and Lambrusco Grasparossa are the most representative varieties and the latter, unic example, prefers the hilly areas of the province. In the 2001-2005 period, the Province of Modena and the C.R.P.V. have coordinated the zoning of the whole territory of Modena lambrusco cultivars whose findings identified in each DOC area some “Terre” in which each variety can give a product with recognizable qualitative and sensorial characteristics.

Mycorrhization is normally occurring in the grapevine, but the natural root infection can be increased by artificial inoculation of mychorrizal fungi when a vineyard is established, with different beneficial effects, as a way of low-input and sustainable agricultural practices. The paper represents a review of over 15-year- research activity of the Viticulture Institute of UCSC, carried out at both pot and field level, aiming at improving vine suitability to calcareous soils and drought, and at regulating the balance among vigour, grape production and quality. Root infection with AM fungus Glomus mosseae is able to alleviate symptoms of lime-induced chlorosis and to improve mineral nutrition, especially Fe uptake. Another effect is the enhancement of root stilbene (especially piceid) concentration in some rootstocks. The artificial mychorrization improves the vegetative growth of the young vines, while the grape yield of adult vines is positively affected without negative effects on quality. The treatment improves the vine suitability to drought stress in terms of dry matter production and grape sugar content

Chitosan is a polysaccharide obtained by deacetylation of chitin, and it is involved in defence mechanisms of plants toward diseases. In the present work, V. vinifera L. cv. Ortrugo, grafted on 420A rootstock was grown in pot and treated, at veraison, by 0.03% chitosan solution at cluster level. Just before the treatment (T0) and 24 hours (T1), 48 hours (T2), 72 hours (T3) and 10 days (T4) later, the concentration of stilbenic compounds was detected, and at T1 proteomics and metabolomics analyses were done. Proteomics relies on the analysis of the complete set of proteins existing in a given substrate, while metabolomics relies on the analyses of the complete set of metabolites in a given substrate. The treatment improved the stilbene concentration over the control at T1. Proteomic analysis showed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) were overexpressed in the treated grapes. SOD is known to be an enzyme active against reactive oxygen species (ROS) while PAL is a key enzyme in the phenylpropanoids pathway. Metabolomics analysis highlighted the positive role of the treatment in improving the triperpenoid concentration (betulin, erythrodiol, uvaol, oleanolate); these compounds are known to be effective against microbes, insects and fungi

Nuovi portinnesti e nutrizione azotata

L'entità dei programmi di difesa della vite dipende da tanti fattori, quali la combinazione vitigno portainnesto, le condizioni pedo-climatiche e le altre tecniche culturali, Non essendo possibile rinunciarvi, tutti i tentativi di razionalizzare , diminuendone possibilmente i costi, sono assolutamente auspicabili. A questa esigenza di carattere economico si aggiunge anche quella di carattere ambientale, nonché la necessitò di salvaguardare i rapporti tra la popolazione e il mondo agricolo.La riduzione dell'uso di agrofarmaci tradizionali contro parassiti e malattie si inserisce nel grande filone della sostenibilità ambientale, e l'obiettivo si può raggiungere attraverso diverse strade, quali il biocontrollo, la razionalizzazione dei trattamenti (modelli previsionali e attrezzature a recupero), l'uso di piante meno sensibili. Relativamente a quest'ultimo aspetto ci sono diverse azioni possibili, come il miglioramento genetico (soprattutto l'ibridazione e, in futuro, le nuove frontiere della cis-genesi e genome editing), al coltivazione della vite in terroir sfavorevoli ai parassiti e con tecniche colturali che non forzino la produzione, l'utilizzo dei elicitori dei meccanismi, quali il chitosano, di difesa della pianta contro le malattie.

N/A

Sarcopenia, the age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, has considerable societal consequences for the development of frailty, disability, and health care planning. A group of geriatricians and scientists from academia and industry met in Rome, Italy, on November 18, 2009, to arrive at a consensus definition of sarcopenia. The current consensus definition was approved unanimously by the meeting participants and is as follows: Sarcopenia is defined as the age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. The causes of sarcopenia are multifactorial and can include disuse, altered endocrine function, chronic diseases, inflammation, insulin resistance, and nutritional deficiencies. Although cachexia may be a component of sarcopenia, the 2 conditions are not the same. The diagnosis of sarcopenia should be considered in all older patients who present with observed declines in physical function, strength, or overall health. Sarcopenia should specifically be considered in patients who are bedridden, cannot independently rise from a chair, or who have a measured gait speed less that 1 m/s(-1). Patients who meet these criteria should further undergo body composition assessment using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry with sarcopenia being defined using currently validated definitions. A diagnosis of sarcopenia is consistent with a gait speed of less than 1 m·s(-1) and an objectively measured low muscle mass (eg, appendicular mass relative to ht(2) that is ≤ 7.23 kg/m(2) in men and ≤ 5.67 kg/m(2) in women). Sarcopenia is a highly prevalent condition in older persons that leads to disability, hospitalization, and death.

La cimatura precoce dei germogli non solo modifica la disposizione geometrica della vegetazione, ma induce forti cambiamenti sulla fisiologia della pianta di cui è necessario tener conto per scegliere opportunamente come operare. Tali cambiamenti, infatti, influenzano in modo determinante la fisiologia della chioma e, quindi, la qualità del prodotto.