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Soil water availability during the vine growth cycle can affect yield and grape quality. The objective was to evaluate the effect of soil water holding capacity (AWC) and available soil water (ASW) throughout the growing cycle on the nutritional status, vigor, production, and composition of grapes and wine. The study was conducted in the municipality of Uruñuela in the DOCa Rioja (Spain). The soils of four rainfed vineyard plots were characterized to determine AWC and its impacts on vine, grape, and wine composition. The N, P, and K foliar content, vigor, grape yield, berry weight, and composition of must and wine were analyzed in those vineyard plots during the period 2010–2014. The ASW was simulated in each plot and each year analyzed, considering the soil properties and the weather conditions, after model calibration in one plot in which soil water content was registered. The results showed that AWC influenced ASW along the growing cycle, so vines suffered from water stress in some periods of the vegetative cycle. Plots with higher AWC had higher ASW from fruit set to ripening and lower water stress during this period, which explains the higher N, P, and K foliar content, vigor and grape yield, and lower polyphenol and anthocyanin content in grapes and wines. The period where water availability had the most influence on the quality of the grapes was from veraison to ripening, during which ASW increased berry weight and acidity and decreased anthocyanins and polyphenolic compounds.

Non-Saccharomyces yeasts, particularly Metschnikowia pulcherrima, are considered alternatives to SO2 in winemaking, combating specific microorganisms. The sensory profile of the wine is contingent upon the type of yeast, the fermentation conditions, and the concentration and mode of application with Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (whether pure or used in mixed/sequential co-fermentation). This study assessed the aroma in red wines produced with S. cerevisiae (Sc) and M. pulcherrima (Mp, non-Sc), incorporating variations in the method of addition and the inclusion or exclusion of SO2. The enological parameters of the wines were slightly affected. Volatile compounds were analysed in the wines through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at three moments: at the end of malolactic fermentation (MLF) and after 6 and 9 months of bottle ageing. Sequential fermentation of Sc and Mp reduced the concentration of most identified alcohols and acids, which is favourable, as these compounds can yield undesirable aromas at high concentrations. Regardless of the yeast mixture and Mp dose, a majority of the acetate esters and ethyl esters were quantified at concentrations above their perception thresholds, thus enhancing the sensory quality of the wines. Sensory analysis of wines showed generally positive evaluations. Using non-Saccharomyces as an alternative to SO2 improves the aromatic profile of wines.

Abiotic stresses, such as temperature, heat waves, water limitation, solar radiation and the increase in atmospheric CO concentration, significantly influence the accumulation of secondary metabolites in grapevine berries at different developmental stages, and in vegetative organs. Transcriptional reprogramming, miRNAs, epigenetic marks and hormonal crosstalk regulate the secondary metabolism of berries, mainly the accumulation of phenylpropanoids and of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Currently, the biological mechanisms that control the plastic response of grapevine cultivars to environmental stress or that occur during berry ripening have been extensively studied in many worlds viticultural areas, in different cultivars and in vines grown under various agronomic managements. A novel frontier in the study of these mechanisms is the involvement of miRNAs whose target transcripts encode enzymes of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Some miRNA-mediated regulatory cascades, post-transcriptionally control key MYB transcription factors, showing, for example, a role in influencing the anthocyanin accumulation in response to UV-B light during berry ripening. DNA methylation profiles partially affect the berry transcriptome plasticity of different grapevine cultivars, contributing to the modulation of berry qualitative traits. Numerous hormones (such as abscisic and jasmomic acids, strigolactones, gibberellins, auxins, cytokynins and ethylene) are involved in triggering the vine response to abiotic and biotic stress factors. Through specific signaling cascades, hormones mediate the accumulation of antioxidants that contribute to the quality of the berry and that intervene in the grapevine defense processes, highlighting that the grapevine response to stressors can be similar in different grapevine organs. The expression of genes responsible for hormone biosynthesis is largely modulated by stress conditions, thus resulting in the numeourous interactions between grapevin

The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between the soil water-holding capacity (SWHC), nitrate nitrogen (N-NO ) and extractable potassium (K) content of soil; the vine nutrient content, vigour and yield; and the quality of the musts and wines in DOCa Rioja vineyards over a five-year period (2010–2014). The SWHC, N-NO and extractable K content of the soil were analysed in twelve cv. Tempranillo (Vitis vinifera L.) plots. Vine yield, nutritional parameters and the K and polyphenol compounds in the musts and wines were determined. In general, both the SWHC and the soil N-NO content were positively correlated with the N and K content of the petiole, the shoot weight and the bunch weight, but negatively correlated with the polyphenol and anthocyanin content of the musts and wines. The K extractable content was also correlated with the K content of the petiole and with the K in the musts and wines. The SWHC, the N-NO and the extractable K are soil parameters which have been linked to the growth and ripening of the vine plant and to the composition of the must and wine. For DOCa Rioja agroclimatic conditions, assessment of these soil parameters would enable selecting soils that support obtaining wines of better quality.

Polysaccharides are the main group of macromolecules in wines. Climate change is a major problem for viticulturists as it leads to the production of unbalanced grapes. This is attributed to a mismatch between the technological maturity and phenolic maturity of grapes, which can negatively impact the production of high quality wines. To mitigate this effect, biostimulants can be applied to grapevines. For the first time in the literature, this work studied the foliar application of methyl jasmonate plus urea (MeJ + Ur) on the vineyard and its effect on the monosaccharide and polysaccharide composition of Tempranillo grapes and wines over two consecutive seasons. To achieve this, the extraction and precipitation of polysaccharides was conducted, and the identification and quantitation of monosaccharides was performed via GC–MS. The effect of MeJ + Ur foliar treatment in both the grapes and wines was season-dependent. The MeJ + Ur treatment had a slight impact on the monosaccharide composition of the grapes and also demonstrated a small effect on the wines. Multifactor and discriminant analysis revealed that the season had a greater influence on the monosaccharide and polysaccharide composition of grapes and wines compared to the influence of MeJ + Ur treatment. Interestingly, the MeJ + Ur-treated wines exhibited a higher sensory evaluation than the control wines in the second vintage. To gain further insights into the effect of MeJ + Ur foliar application on the monosaccharide and polysaccharide composition of grapes and wines, further investigations should be conducted.

Foliar nutrient sprays are broadly used in commercial agriculture. To date, the application of Ca and Si has been little explored in vineyard production but may lead to positive responses at various levels. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of supplying single or combined calcium (Ca, 120 mM) and silicon (Si, 120 mM) sprays in Tempranillo grape composition. Foliar treatment with Ca + Si foliar enhanced all families of aromatic compounds, whereas single Ca and Si sprays induced lower effects. Regarding phenolic compounds, all foliar treatments led to minor effects. However, all three foliar Ca and Si treatments increased the total grape amino acid content. Consequently, the application of combined Ca and Si sprays to a vineyard is recommended as a tool for improving grape quality.

Viticulture is highly dependent on phytochemicals to maintain good vineyard health. However, to reduce their accumulation in the environment, green regulations are driving the development of eco-friendly strategies. In this respect, seaweeds have proven to be one of the marine resources with the highest potential as plant protective agents, representing an environmentally-friendly alternative approach for sustainable wine production. The current work follows an interdisciplinary framework to evaluate the capacity of Ulva ohnoi and Rugulopteryx okamurae seaweeds to induce defense mechanisms in grapevine plants. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate Rugulopteryx okamurae as a biostimulator . This macroalgae is relevant since it is an invasive species on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast causing incalculable economic and environmental burdens. Four extracts (UL1, UL2, RU1 and RU2 developed from Ulva and Rugulopteryx, respectively) were foliar applied to Tempranillo plants cultivated under greenhouse conditions. UL1 and RU2 stood out for their capacity to induce defense genes, such as a PR10, PAL, STS48 and GST1, mainly 24 hours after the first application. The increased expression level of these genes agreed with i) an increase in trans-piceid and trans-resveratrol content, mainly in the RU2 treated leaves, and, ii) an increase in jasmonic acid and decrease in salicylic acid. Moreover, an induction of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes was observed at the end of the experiment, with an increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase in the RU2-treated leaves in particular. Interestingly, while foliar fungal diversity was not influenced by the treatments, alga extract amendment modified fungal composition, RU2 application enriching the content of various groups known for their biocontrol activity. Overall, the results evidenced the capacity of Rugulopteryx okamurae for grapevine biostimulation, inducing the activation of several secondary metabolit

Viticulture is highly dependent on phytochemicals to maintain good vineyard health. However, to reduce their accumulation in the environment, green regulations are driving the development of eco-friendly strategies. In this respect, seaweeds have proven to be one of the marine resources with the highest potential as plant protective agents, representing an environmentally-friendly alternative approach for sustainable wine production. The current work follows an interdisciplinary framework to evaluate the capacity of Ulva ohnoi and Rugulopteryx okamurae seaweeds to induce defense mechanisms in grapevine plants. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate Rugulopteryx okamurae as a biostimulator. This macroalgae is relevant since it is an invasive species on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast causing incalculable economic and environmental burdens. Four extracts (UL1, UL2, RU1 and RU2 developed from Ulva and Rugulopteryx, respectively) were foliar applied to Tempranillo plants cultivated under greenhouse conditions. UL1 and RU2 stood out for their capacity to induce defense genes, such as a PR10, PAL, STS48 and GST1, mainly 24 hours after the first application. The increased expression level of these genes agreed with i) an increase in trans-piceid and trans-resveratrol content, mainly in the RU2 treated leaves, and, ii) an increase in jasmonic acid and decrease in salicylic acid. Moreover, an induction of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes was observed at the end of the experiment, with an increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase in the RU2-treated leaves in particular. Interestingly, while foliar fungal diversity was not influenced by the treatments, alga extract amendment modified fungal composition, RU2 application enriching the content of various groups known for their biocontrol activity. Overall, the results evidenced the capacity of Rugulopteryx okamurae for grapevine biostimulation, inducing the activation of several secondary metabolite

Polysaccharides in wine play important roles in the stabilization and in the sensory properties of wines. Elicitor application constitutes an interesting field of research since it is indirectly involved in the accumulation in grape cell walls of molecules like callose, lignin, phenolic compounds and glycoproteins. Currently, biomimetic calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoparticles are successfully used in viticulture for the controlled delivery of bioactive molecules, such as elicitors. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the application of two different elicitors on both grape and wine of Tempranillo polysaccharide composition. Methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and nanoparticles doped with MeJ were applied to the canopy at veraison and one week later in two vintages. In the grape extracts, the foliar treatments did not increase the content of monosaccharides or that of the main pectin families; therefore, the elicitors did not reinforce the cell walls of the Tempranillo grape. The extractability and solubility of the pectic families of the grape cell walls into the wine depended on the type of family and the climate of the vintages.

Tools to address the mismatch between technological and phenolic maturity of grapes are needed. Application of elicitors could be an effective alternative. This work compares the effect of the application of methyl jasmonate (MeJ) in conventional form and, as a novelty, in the form of MeJ-doped nanoparticles (ACP-MeJ) on the phenolic composition of Tempranillo grapes. Results showed that, regardless of season, both treatments increased the grape total phenols content. In 2019, most of the anthocyanins, and to a lesser extent the flavanols, increased with the application of MeJ, and several hydroxycinnamic acids increased in the grapes treated with ACP-MeJ, with dose 10 times lower than those of the MeJ conventional. In 2020, anthocyanins were not affected by the treatments, but total flavanols, flavonols, hydroxybenzoic acid, and stilbenes increased after ACP-MeJ application. Thus, foliar application of ACP-MeJ could serve to increase grape phenolic composition, reducing maturity decoupling and the environmental impact.

Background and goals The aim of this work was to study, for the first time, the influence of foliar application of methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and methyl jasmo-nate plus urea (MeJ+Ur) on Tempranillo grape phenolic composition over two seasons. Methods and key findings This work examined grape phenolic compounds usi ng hi gh-per f or mance l i qui d chromatography-diode array detection. In 2019, both treatments increased the total anthocyanins, but the MeJ+Ur treatment had a stronger effect than the MeJ treatment. MeJ foliar application decreased total flavonols, total flavanols, and total hydroxycinnamic acids in the grapes, while MeJ+Ur significantly decreased total flavonols, but did not affect total flavanol s or hydroxyci nnami c aci ds. Neither of the foliar treatments affected total stilbenes. However, in 2020, the effect of treatments was different: foliar treatments did not affect the anthocyanins, flavonols, hydroxyci nnami c aci ds, or sti l benes, but increased the flavanol content in the grapes. Conclusions and significance The effect of foliar treatments was season-dependent, which can be explained by the differences in preharvest rainfall between vintages. The influence of season on grape phenolic compounds was greater than that of the treatments. The results offer information about the response of grapevine to foliar application under different climate conditions.

In recent years, foliar application of elicitors to the vineyard has been increasingly used, in particular, elicitation with methyl jasmonate (MeJ). However, due to the high cost of this compound, it is necessary to find a form of application in which the amount to be used is considerably reduced. Therefore, the aim of this work was study for the first time the influence of foliar application of nanoparticles doped with MeJ (ACP-MeJ) and foliar application of methyl jasmonate (MeJ), using a dose of 1 mM versus 10 mM, respectively, on volatile composition of Tempranillo grapes during two consecutive vintages. Grape volatile composition was determined by SPME-GC-MS. The obtained results reveal that MeJ application increased the concentration of terpenoids, and total C6 compounds in 2019 and 2020, and C13 norisoprenoids in 2019. In addition, ACP-MeJ enhanced the amount of terpenoids, and benzenoids in 2020. These are encouraging results considering that the ACP-MeJ dose was 10 times lower than that of MeJ. Therefore, the foliar application of MeJ supported on nanoparticles could be a tool in order to improve grape volatile composition, favoring a more viable and sustainable viticulture.

Nanoparticles are emerging as a cutting-edge technology to improve crop agricultural input efficiency and reduce biotic and abiotic stresses. In viticulture, nanoparticles hold promise for the sustainable application of an elicitor (methyl jasmonate, MeJ), allowing a considerable dosage reduction. Herein, the influence of the foliar application of free MeJ (10 mM) and MeJ nanoformulation (ACP-MeJ, 1 mM MeJ) on Tempranillo grape amino acids content over two vintages (2019 and 2020) was evaluated. While both MeJ treatments provided a significant increase of the amino nitrogen and yeast assimilable nitrogen in the must in 2019, there were no significant differences on these parameters in 2020. In 2019, MeJ treatment enhanced the synthesis of most of the amino acids included in this study, while ACP-MeJ promoted the formation of six amino acids. Hence, the content of total amino acids, with and without proline, was higher after applying MeJ than in the control musts. However, these values were higher for control must than for MeJ samples in 2020. The multivariable analysis confirmed that the vintage factor had a more prominent effect on the overall parameters of the musts. This strong influence of the vintage could be related to the higher rainfall in 2020.

BACKGROUND: Grape aromas are formed by a great number of volatile compounds. Methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and urea (Ur) foliar applications have been studied to improve grape quality, but their combined application has never been studied. RESULTS: In both seasons, MeJ application enhanced terpenoids and C6 compounds synthesis, though decreased alcohols content. Moreover, MeJ + Ur treatment reduced benzenoids and alcohols and did not affect C-norisoprenoids content. However, there was no clear effect of these treatments on the rest of the volatile compounds. Multifactorial analysis showed a season effect on all volatile compounds, except terpenoids. Discriminant analysis showed a good separation among samples under treatment criterion. The great effect of MeJ treatment on terpenoids was probably due to this elicitor influencing their biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: Season has a strong influence on grapes aromatic composition since it affects all volatile compound families except terpenoids. MeJ foliar application enhanced terpenoids, C-norisoprenoids and C6 compounds synthesis, whereas decreased alcohols content; however, MeJ + Ur foliar treatment did not affect C-norisoprenoids and C6 compounds, and decreased benzenoids and alcohols grape compounds. Therefore, no synergistic effect was observed between Ur and MeJ on grape volatile compounds biosynthesis. Foliar application of MeJ seems to be sufficient to improve the aromatic quality of grapes. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are influenced by physical, chemical, biological, and anthropogenic factors. The objective of the study is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the emissions of three important agricultural GHGs (CO2, N2O, and CH4) in both rows and alleys of a vineyard (1) and to understand their interactions with the agricultural operations carried out in the experimental plot, namely tillage, inter-row management, application of mineral and organic fertilizers, and irrigation and pruning, as well as the agroclimatic conditions of the plot (2). The study was conducted in a vineyard of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo blanco in the DOCa. Rioja grape-growing region, during 2017, 2018, and 2019. Cumulative CO2 emissions were highest in 2018, reaching 934.7 ± 66.5 kg ha−1 day−1 in the alleys and 926.8 ± 76.5 kg ha−1 day−1 in the rows, in agreement with the wetter year and organic matter decomposition at the end of 2017. N2O emissions during the three-year study were mainly affected by mineral fertilizer application, with increases of 41.1 g ha−1 day−1 in the alleys and 49.3 g ha−1 day−1 in the rows during 2018, and 33.1 g ha−1 day−1 in the alleys and 39.6 g ha−1 day−1 in the rows in 2019. Regarding CH4, anaerobic soil conditions in 2018 (the year with the highest rainfall) led to the highest flux of CH4 emissions to the atmosphere, with 215.5 ± 51.0 g ha−1 day−1 in the corridors and 238.4 ± 54.9 g ha−1 day−1 in the rows. This study emphasizes the complex interplay of physical, chemical, biological, and human-related factors affecting GHG emissions in viticultural soils. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing sustainable vineyard practices that minimize emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Methyl jasmonate (MeJ) is an elicitor that, when applied in the vineyard, can improve grape quality. There are several studies about the MeJ influence on red grape varieties; however, to our knowledge, there is little information about white grape varieties, specifically Tempranillo Blanco. Therefore, the aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of MeJ foliar treatments, carried out at veraison and post-veraison, on the aromatic, phenolic and nitrogen composition of Tempranillo Blanco grapes. The results showed that grape volatile compounds content increased after MeJ application, especially terpenoids, C13 norisoprenoids, benzenoids and alcohols, and, in general, mainly at post-veraison. Regarding phenolic and nitrogen compounds, their concentrations were enhanced after MeJ treatments, regardless of application time. Consequently, MeJ treatment improved grape volatile, phenolic and nitrogen composition, particularly when this elicitor was applied post-veraison. Therefore, this is a good and easy tool to modulate white grape quality.

Phenolic compounds are very important for grapes and wines quality since these compounds can take part in color, mouthfeel and wine ageing potential, and they are also related to the human healthy properties of moderate wine consumption. The content of phenolic compounds in grapes depends on different factors, such as variety, climatic and geographical factors, cultural practices, and the stage of grape ripeness. Foliar application of biostimulants has been studied in the last years in order to mitigate the effect of climatic change in grapes and to enhance their composition and quality. In this work, it was studied the effect of foliar application of methyl jasmonate plus urea (MeJ + Ur), in Tempranillo vineyard, on the content of phenolic compounds in grapes and wines, during two consecutive vintages. These compounds (anthocyanins, flavanols, flavonols, phenolic acids, and stilbenes) were analysed, in both grapes and wines, by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effect of foliar treatment was season dependent, probably due to the differences in pre-harvest rainfall recorded. In the first season, the MeJ + Ur treatment favored the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, increasing their content in grapes; however, this effect was not observed in the wines. In the second vintage, the MeJ + Ur foliar application did not enhance the anthocyanin content in grapes or in wines. With respect to the other phenolic compounds, the foliar treatment did not improve their content in grapes, except for total flavonols in the second vintage. Foliar application of MeJ + Ur seems to be a good tool in order to enhance the anthocyanin content in grapes, which it is very interesting due to anthocyanins are the main phenolic compounds in red varieties, and they are responsible for the wine red color. Nevertheless, further studies should be carried out to achieve a better knowledge of the plant response to this treatment according to the climatic conditions. Moreover, it is necessa

Plants accumulate secondary metabolites as a line of defense against oxidative stress stirred up by biotic or abiotic stressors. In ripening grapevine berries, concentrations and profiles of secondary metabolites display a sounding impact on the definition of wine quality attributes. For this, viticulturists/technicians/scientists largely study the accumulation of secondary metabolites in ripening berries, focusing on biological, metabolic, and transcript analysis and on how cultural practices and vineyard/vine management could influence their concentrations and profiles. On the contrary, the accumulation of secondary metabolites in grapevine vegetative organs is much less studied even though it is becoming clearer that their accumulation represents the key for understanding the grapevine relationship with the surrounding environment. Nowadays, one of the main challenges of research in applied plant biology is to identify a way to boost the plant's innate defense capacities. This is an undoubtedly pivotal goal as it could help in reducing the use of plant protection products whose impact on the environment is very high, particularly in viticulture, which represents the agricultural activity that employs the highest amounts of chemical fungicides in Europe. This Research Topic aims to address two problems: 1) First is the ongoing climate scenario that aggravates main abiotic stressors (such as light, heat waves, drought, salinity), to which grapevine varieties have to adapt. We aim to highlight new findings in the field of secondary metabolite accumulation in grapevine berries facing the global climate change. 2) The second problem is biotic stress in grapevine, with emphasis on vegetative organs. We aim to present recent findings in the accumulation of secondary metabolites in vegetative organs and its defense role in response to the most important diseases of grapevine (ie. powdery and downy mildews, esca, and other diseases caused by phytoplasma and viruses. Furth, We welcome original and review articles for this Research Topic to the following scope, but not limited to: 1. Recent advances in grapevine berry secondary metabolites in response to abiotic stress • Latest studies on the accumulation of secondary metabolites in response to abiotic stress • Viticulture practices that influence the accumulation of secondary metabolites in berries • Hormonal role in secondary metabolite and abiotic stress interaction in grapevine berries 2. Recent advances in secondary metabolites of grapevine vegetative organs in response to biotic stress • Genotypic effect on secondary metabolites in vegetative organs and on grapevine response to the main biotic cues • Recent studies on different classes of secondary metabolites in vegetative organs influenced by plant pathogens and pests • Practices aimed to modulate secondary metabolite concentration and profiles as a contribution to the grapevine protection against biotic stressors • Role of hormones in crosstalk between secondary metabolites and biotic stressors An additional aim is to present global views on this topic and to encourage women, minority, and early-career researchers to contribute to this Research Topic. Please note that descriptive studies and those defining gene families or descriptive collection of transcripts, proteins, or metabolites, will not be considered for review unless they are expanded and provide mechanistic and/or physiological insights into the biological system or process being studied.