Wine Grapevine Research Articles

Occurrence and identification of grapevine phytoplasmas in main viticultural regions of Turkey

Intensive surveys were conducted in the main viticultural areas of Turkey in 2009-2010. Two hundred eighty nine symptomatic and 20 non-symptomatic plant samples were collected and subjected to nucleic acid extraction followed by PCR, nested PCR and RFLP analyses to detect phytoplasma presence and for their identification. The incidence rate of phytoplasma infection was 18.33% and the majority of the symptomatic grapevines were infected with grapevine yellows phytoplasmas belonging to 16SrXII-A subgroup (“bois noir”). Phytoplasmas of 16SrV group, aster yellows (16SrI-B) and pigeon pea witches’ broom (16SrIX) groups were also detected in the surveyed vineyards. Phytoplasma-associated infections were present more on wine grapevine cultivars (73.6%), such as Alphonse Lavallee, Alicante Bouschet, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, compared to table grapes (26.4%), such as Bogazkere, Sirfani, Tahannebi and Emir.

Deep sequencing of grapevine flower and berry short RNA library for discovery of novel microRNAs and validation of precise sequences of grapevine microRNAs deposited in miRBase

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNA molecules which have significant gene regulation roles in organisms. The advent of new high-throughput sequencing technologies has enabled the discovery of novel miRNAs. Although there are two recent reports on high-throughput sequencing analysis of small RNA libraries from different organs of two wine grapevine varieties, there was a significant divergence in the number and kinds of miRNAs sequenced in these studies. More sequencing of small RNA libraries is still important for the discovery of novel miRNAs in grapevine. In this study, a total of 130 conserved grapevine Vitis vinifera miRNA (Vv-miRNA) belonging to 28 Vv-miRNA families were validated, other 80 unconserved Vv-miRNAs including 72 novel potential and 8 known but unconserved ones were found. Fifty-two (52.5%) of these 80 unconserved Vv-miRNAs exhibited differential poly(A)-tailed reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction expression profiles in various grapevine tissues that could further confirm their existence in grapevine, among which 20 were expressed only in grapevine berries, indicating a degree of fruit-specificity. One hundred thirty target genes for 56 unconserved miRNAs could be predicted. The locations of these potential target genes on grapevine chromosomes and their complementary levels with the corresponding miRNAs were also analyzed. These results point to a regulatory role of miRNAs in grapevine berry development and response to various environments.

Clone differentiation and varietal identification by means of SSR, AFLP, SAMPL and M‐AFLP in order to assess the clonal selection of grapevine: the case study of Manto Negro, Callet and Moll, autochthonous cultivars of Majorca

Clonal selection is the most worldwide spreading method to improve the performance of wine grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cultivars. In the special case of autochthonous varieties with only local interest, such as Manto Negro, Callet and Moll in Majorca (Spain), good knowledge of their genotypic resources is helpful to assess the development of viticultural and enological potentialities.In this study, 94 vines (including Manto Negro, Callet, Moll and wrongly identified samples) were analysed by means of genetic markers.Several varietal identification mistakes related to the clonal selection in Majorca were detected by the amplification of 33 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) or microsatellite loci, mainly because of the close genetic relationships between Manto Negro, Callet, Moll and other varieties.A very low degree of intravarietal genetic diversity, possibly related to high incidence of virus infections, was shown in all three varieties. However, analysis by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), selective amplification of microsatellite loci (SAMPL) and microsatellite‐amplified fragment length polymorphism (M‐AFLP) was suitable for clone genetic discrimination. More than 900 scorable bands were obtained by nine primer combinations. The most efficient system to detect intravarietal genetic differences was M‐AFLP, which generated the highest number of polymorphic bands. The use of these markers allowed clustering vines in homogeneous groups, providing essential information about sanitation strategies in order to obtain certified propagation material.

Interaction between Trunk and Wrist Kinetics and Kinematics during a Simulated Pruning Task

Winegrape vine pruning require repetitive gripping and awkward body postures. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of cutting height and forearm posture on trunk and wrist posture, force production, and muscle activities during simulated vine pruning. Ten healthy subjects (3 female and 7 male) participated in the study. Subjects cut dowels simulating shoots with pruning shears at 5 cutting heights tailored to subject anthropometry at three forearm postures. Trunk and wrist kinematics, force exertion, and forearm EMG were monitored. The results showed significant change in force exertion; and trunk and wrist kinematics in stature and knee cutting heights. The information from this study could assist in ergonomic trellis design, injury prevention, and manual labor work guidelines.

The grapevine cultivar Mencía (<em>Vitis vinifera</em> L.): similarities and diferences with respect to other well known international cultivars

<p style="text-align: justify;">The red wine grapevine cultivar Mencía is grown over much of northern and northwestern Spain. It is the preferential cultivar for the wines of the Appellation Contrôlée regions of « Bierzo », « Monterrei », «Ribeira Sacra » and «Valdeorras », and an « authorized » cultivar for « Rías Baixas » and « Ribeiro » wines. This cultivar does not seem to have existed in the north of Spain until the end of the 19th century (after the arrival of phylloxera), but from this time on it has been one of the most important of all those cultivated. The interest surrounding its true identity has increased over the years as its market value has increased. Some parties defend it as a native of the area while others believe it to be a synonym of Cabernet Franc or Tintilla. It is also similar to cv. Garnacha, as some authors have mentioned over the years (although with no great emphasis) (GARCÍA DE LOS SALMONES, 1901-1911; COMENGE, 1942; GALET, 1990). The present paper reports a comparative ampelographic study of different clones of Mencía and Garnacha. The results are also compared to those published by other authors. Mencía appears to be totally different to Cabernet Franc and Tintilla but shows characteristics similar to those of Garnacha and there is possibly a parental relationship. Mencía might therefore be obtained from different crosses between Garnacha and another cultivar.</p>