Divergence in the transcriptional landscape between low temperature and freeze shock in cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera)

Plant stress responses: How cold is too cold for grapevines? An exploration of gene activity in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) suggests that these plants respond very differently to cold versus freezing temperatures. Low temperatures during the growing season (such as late spring frosts) can cause great damage to developing leaves of crops such as grapevines, particularly when grown outside their natural climatic zone. Jason Londo, of the US Department of Agriculture and Cornell University, and colleagues, explored the molecular response of young grapevine leaves to both cold (4 °C) and freezing (−3 °C) temperatures. They found very different responses in terms of genes and metabolic pathways that were activated or deactivated under the two regimes. In contrast to other species, exposure to cold did not predispose the vines to resist freezing temperatures. The research may help to identify potential targets for genetic manipulation to produce frost-resistant grapevine varieties.