Abstract
Microbiomes are essential to viticulture and winemaking since various fungi and bacteria can exert positive and negative effects on grape health and wine quality. The current work evaluates the communities of culturable fungi and bacteria associated with Corvina vines derived from two vineyards from a similar terroir (within the Valpolicella DOC area, Italy) but on which different management practices were employed: organic and conventional farming. Samples of bark and grapes were collected in four spatial points for each vineyard. Populations of bark-associated microorganisms were monitored during ripening season (at veraison and at harvest time), and results were integrated with data from grape-associated microorganisms, sampled right before harvest. Culturable populations of fungi and bacteria were determined by plate counting on WL and PCA culture media. For fungi, biodiversity was also assayed on all samples through molecular methods, by ITS-RFLP analysis. Although this does not represent a comprehensive evaluation of the microbiome, since culturable and countable microorganisms only represent a portion of microbial biodiversity, our results emphasize the importance of vine trunk bark, not only as an interesting habitat to be characterized for monitoring microbial biodiversity in vineyards but also as a potential source of microbial viable species for further isolation.
Highlights
Microbiomes are essential to viticulture and winemaking since diverse fungi and bacteria can exert positive and negative effects on grape health and wine quality
This does not represent a comprehensive evaluation of the microbiome, since culturable and countable microorganisms only represent a portion of microbial biodiversity, our results emphasize the importance of vine trunk bark, as an interesting habitat to be characterized for monitoring microbial biodiversity in vineyards and as a potential source of microbial viable species for further isolation
The importance of vine trunk bark has been proposed only recently, as a potential source of inoculum for grapes and as an interesting habitat to be characterized for monitoring microbial biodiversity in vineyards and the impact of agronomic management on it [9,12,13]
Summary
Microbiomes are essential to viticulture and winemaking since diverse fungi and bacteria can exert positive and negative effects on grape health and wine quality. The importance of vine trunk bark has been proposed only recently, as a potential source of inoculum for grapes and as an interesting habitat to be characterized for monitoring microbial biodiversity in vineyards and the impact of agronomic management on it [9,12,13]. This niche is stable over seasons, relatively rich in nutrients, and harbors a rich epiphytic microbiota, as bark has been shown to host a greater microbial diversity and species richness than grapes and leaves [9]. Recent findings suggest that geographic and anthropogenic factors (such as agronomic management) impact both the bark and grape microbiome, but to a different extent [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
