Abstract
Canopy management practices in vineyards, such as sprawling systems and shoot trimming, can change the accumulation of metabolites in grapes. The use of elicitors of biological origin on grapevines of Vitis vinifera red grape varieties may also modulate the chemical composition of the berries. These modifications are often observed in the accumulation of phenolic compounds, including pigments. Both technical approaches are alternatives involved in minimizing the effects of global climate change in warm areas. The increase of temperature related to climate change accelerates the accumulation of sugars, but produces unbalanced grapes. This work establishes the use of button sensors to monitor the climate changes occurring at grape cluster level. Together with climate monitoring, conventional instrumental analytical techniques are used to follow up the chemical composition and the phenolic fraction of grapes in four different production areas in Spain. The effect of either treatment seems variable and to be affected by external factors besides the treatment itself and the climate conditions. While there is a fine effect that correlates with the use of elicitors in varieties like Merlot and Tempranillo, there is minimal improvement observed in Tintilla de Rota. The total phenolic index increases were between 2.3% and 11.8% in the first two parcels. The same happened with the vineyard’s canopy management systems, with increased pigment accumulation and the total phenolic index rising (37.7% to 68.7%) after applying intense shoot trimming, or a variation in sugar concentrations when using sprawl conduction. This study aims to provide viticulturists and oenologists in particular, and farmers in general, with data on the field regarding the use of alternative sustainable practices in the cultivation of grapes. The techniques used involved 100% natural products without adjuvants. The benefits obtained from applying some of these practices would be to produce technically mature grapes despite climate changes, and the elaboration of more balanced wines.
Highlights
Elicitors could be described as alternative products produced by plants, microorganisms, or from mineral origin, the result of which is specific to the accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants [1]
The protection of grapevines with sustainable approaches involves promoting the accumulation of phenolic compounds to boost the grapevine’s natural self-protection [7]. Such is the case in other studies with BTH (benzo(1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester), a salicylic acid analog that triggers the response for plants resistance against pathogens [34], and the case of jasmonic acid in the production of phenolic compounds and other metabolites [4,8,35]
The use of canopy management systems has induced an increment in the accumulation of phenolic compounds of 37.7% in the case of intensive shoot trimming, and 68.7% in the case of the sprawling system
Summary
Elicitors could be described as alternative products produced by plants, microorganisms, or from mineral origin, the result of which is specific to the accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants [1]. The plant resistance activated against pathogens, being one of the mechanisms used to increase the levels of the phenolic composition through the phenylpropanoids route [2,3], is enhanced with the use of elicitors. Chemical elicitors, such as chitosan or methyl jasmonate [4,5], physical elicitors, such as UV or gamma radiation [2], and elicitors from biological origins, such as yeasts derivatives [6]. Studies have demonstrated that the use of chemical elicitors, such as chitosan, have increased phenolic compound concentrations [7]. The use of methyl jasmonate and benzothiadizole combined has improved anthocyanin concentrations in comparison to control grapes [3]. Yeast derivatives have compounds such as chitin or lipids coming from the cellular wall and plasmatic membrane, respectively, that activate the plant resistance [8] through the accumulation of phenolic compounds
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