Abstract
In the last decade climate change has impacted viticulture and water deficit has become a major concern in fruit production. Many studies have been carried out to determine the grapevine response to environmental changes and to identify key genetic traits to be used in grapevine breeding. However, in order to better manage climate-related risks, novel viticultural practices are urgently needed. A promising solution for a more sustainable model of viticulture involves the use of biostimulants. In this study, the effectiveness of a novel biostimulant (APR®) belonging to the group of protein thermal hydrolysates was tested on grapevine plants subjected to progressive water deficit conditions. Our results showed that this compound applied to roots before imposing water deprivation mitigates the consequences of stress by sustaining the growth of the younger vegetative organs and limiting the extent of cell dehydration; this positive impact on the plant’s physiological state persisted during the recovery phase. Furthermore, at the end of the growing season, plants treated with the biostimulant, both in optimal water conditions and under water stress, exhibited a greater accumulation of biomass in the aerial part (6.8% and 21.3 %, respectively) and a higher berry diameter (3.4 % and 9.5 %, respectively). Additional work through field trials will be necessary to further substantiate these results and to translate this knowledge into specific practices that grape growers can easily adopt.
Highlights
The wide geographical distribution and economic importance of grapevine cultivation have placed grape industry worldwide under a major threat from climate change [1]
A novel collagen-derived protein thermal hydrolysate has been demonstrated to affect the transcription of a thousand genes when applied to maize roots grown in a solid medium [33], and its efficacy was subsequently demonstrated in the same species grown hydroponically [34]. These findings [33] indicate that this Protein hydrolysates (PHs) could be involved in regulating the expression of genes involved in the transport of nutrients and in the signaling and metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to the hypothesis that it acts as an enhancer of plant stress tolerance, which was further supported [34] in experiments investigating its effects on seedlings subjected to different types of abiotic stresses
The results provide strong evidence in support of the idea that this PH might act as a root growth stimulant, positively affecting nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and the control of ROS
Summary
The wide geographical distribution and economic importance of grapevine cultivation have placed grape industry worldwide under a major threat from climate change [1]. A novel collagen-derived protein thermal hydrolysate has been demonstrated to affect the transcription of a thousand genes when applied to maize roots grown in a solid medium [33], and its efficacy was subsequently demonstrated in the same species grown hydroponically [34] These findings [33] indicate that this PH could be involved in regulating the expression of genes involved in the transport of nutrients and in the signaling and metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to the hypothesis that it acts as an enhancer of plant stress tolerance, which was further supported [34] in experiments investigating its effects on seedlings subjected to different types of abiotic stresses. After application of the biostimulant to the soil, several biometric parameters together with additional physiological indicators were monitored upon the induction of a gradual water deficit, and after a week of recovery under optimal water conditions
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