Eighth International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology

Abstract

Reflecting on my introductory comments at the opening of this symposium, and after experiencing the plenary sessions and viewing the poster papers, it is clear that the rich potential suggested by the theme of this symposium, 21st Century Grape Research: Challenges and Opportunities was substantially delivered. Much of the viticultural sector's essential innovation and adaptation to market, environmental, economic and social challenges in the immediate term and over the remainder of the century are likely to be delivered only via effective interaction of research and development (R&D); this R&D will entail, at its base, a reliance on the disciplines of vine physiology and biotechnology, often at the interface of the two and within broader multidisciplinary team activities. Given the heightened recognition of emerging climatic and resource pressures, global economic uncertainties and accelerated population growth, it was timely that the Vitis sp., its management and genotype, was the focus of this symposium. Expectations of science and industry have been sharpened not least from these pressures but also from the promise and ‘hype’ surrounding science and technology in general, and more specifically surrounding genetics and its derivative technologies. For researchers in viticulture, working with what is perhaps the most cultivated (and culturally significant) of perennial crops, the challenges spread across aspects of productivity, tolerance to environmental stresses and acute environmental shocks, the application of diagnostic and predictive tools and systems and manipulation of sensory qualities of the grape. Use of gene technologies in vine improvement and breeding programs and the integration of biotechnologies into viticultural R&D and vineyard management will demand considerable multidisciplinary planning and effort, paralleled by actions directed to defining and demonstrating potential benefits and problems for environment and consumers, not simply for producers. In this special issue of the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research a selection of papers presented by the invited keynote speakers at the Eight International Symposium for Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology are published. These papers reflect a current perspective on research across these themes and offer a prospective outlook on future needs and developments in grapevine improvement, adaptation and management. It is clear that interaction and interchange between the disciplines of vine physiology, gene technology and vine selection and breeding has delivered substantial progress in generating underlying knowledge, experimental technique and scientific capacity. Perhaps the time is now right for a more deliberate mapping of the fields of interaction and development of a midterm strategy for delivering significant results for environment, management and society. Development of a broadly supported, results-focused strategy will provide a basis for more fundamental breakthroughs in systems research for the benefit of both the R&D sector, industry and society; perhaps as important for R&D practitioners, it will considerably assist in maintaining understanding, acceptance and ongoing funding for both established and newer approaches to research based around the grapevine.