Abstract
In southern Mediterranean areas, vineyards are facing the combination of increasing air temperature, drought and frequency of extreme events (e.g., heat waves) due to climate change. Since most of the berry growth and ripening phases occur during the aridity period, such environmental constraints are responsible for limitations in yield and berry quality. Within this scenario, to achieve vineyard sustainability, renewed approaches in vineyard management have been proposed and the use of plant biostimulants seems a prominent and environmental friendly practice. The aim of this study was to test four combinations of a tropical plant extract and conventional chemicals for disease control on morpho-anatomical, physiological, biochemical and berry quality inVitis viniferaL. subsp.vinifera“Aglianico.” In particular, we aimed to evaluate the possibility to counteract the negative effects of the reductions in copper distribution, by applying the tropical plant extract enriched with: micronutrients, enzymes involved in the activation of natural defense, aminoacids, and vitamins. The halved dose of Cu in combination with the tropical plant extract allowed maintaining a reduced vegetative vigor. In the second year of treatment, the addition of the plant extract significantly improved leaf gas exchanges and photochemistry as well as the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. At berry level, the plant extract induced an increase in phenolics accompanied by a decrease in soluble sugars. The overall results showed that the expected differences in growth performance and productivity in vines are linked to different eco-physiological and structural properties induced by the various treatments. The tropical plant extract also primed plant defenses at the leaf and fruit levels, mainly due to modifications of some structural and biochemical traits, respectively.
Highlights
The scientists and extension specialists are called to make local farming communities and crop production more resilient to climate change
The montly average mean air temperature was similar during the two growing seasons, with an annual mean temperature of 14.2 and 14.5◦C in 2017 and 2018, respectively (Figure 1A)
We demonstrated that the reduction of Cu application coupled with the distribution of a tropical plant extract through foliar spraying in grapevine can be a promising strategy to support plant protection respectfully of chemical control restrictions
Summary
The scientists and extension specialists are called to make local farming communities and crop production more resilient to climate change. Mediterranean viticulture is highly threatened by such projected environmental limitations because berry growth and ripening occur under conditions of high air temperature and soil water deficit which may limit yield and berry quality (Medrano et al, 2003; Chaves et al, 2007, 2010; Lereboullet et al, 2013, 2014). This phenomenon is exacerbated by the competition for water resource with other sectors (e.g., industry) and by the prohibition of irrigation in most “Demarcation of controlled production areas” (DOC)
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