Rising temperature is among the most remarkably stressful phenomena induced by global climate changes with negative impacts on crop productivity and quality. It has been previously shown that volatiles belonging to the isoprenoid family can confer protection against abiotic stresses. In this work, two Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Chardonnay’ clones (SMA130 and INRA809) differing due to a mutation (S272P) of the DXS gene encoding for 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate (the first dedicated enzyme of the 2C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway) and involved in the regulation of isoprenoids biosynthesis were investigated in field trials and laboratory experiments. Leaf monoterpene emission, chlorophyll fluorescence and gas-exchange measurements were assessed over three seasons at different phenological stages and either carried out in in vivo or controlled conditions under contrasting temperatures. A significant (p < 0.001) increase in leaf monoterpene emission was observed in INRA809 when plants were experiencing high temperatures and over two experiments, while no differences were recorded for SMA130. Significant variation was observed for the rate of leaf CO₂ assimilation under heat stress, with INRA809 maintaining higher photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance values than SMA130 (p = 0.003) when leaf temperature increased above 30 °C. At the same time, the maximum photochemical quantum yield of PSII (F_v/F_m) was affected by heat stress in the non-emitting clone (SMA130), while the INRA809 showed a significant resilience of PSII under elevated temperature conditions. Consistent data were recorded between field seasons and temperature treatments in controlled environment conditions, suggesting a strong influence of monoterpene emission on heat tolerance under high temperatures. This work provides further insights on the photoprotective role of isoprenoids in heat-stressed Vitis vinifera, and additional studies should focus on unraveling the mechanisms underlying heat tolerance on the monoterpene-emitter grapevine clone.

Rising temperatures and ozone levels are among the most striking stressful phenomena of global climate changes, and they threaten plants that are unable to react rapidly and efficiently. Generic responses of plants to stresses include the production of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS accumulation can lead to extensive oxidation of important components such as nucleic acids, proteins and lipids which can further exacerbate ROS accumulation leading to programmed cell death. Although most studies on plant antioxidants have focused on non-volatile compounds, volatiles belonging to the isoprenoid family have been implicated in the protection against abiotic stresses, in particular thermal and oxidative stress whose frequency and extent is being exacerbated by ongoing global change and anthropogenic pollution. Historically, research has focused on isoprene, demonstrating that isoprene-emitting plants are more tolerant to ozone exposure and heat stress, reducing ROS accumulation. Yet, evidence is being compiled that shows other volatile isoprenoids may be involved in plant responses against abiotic stresses. Grapevines are not isoprene emitters but some varieties produce other volatile isoprenoids such as monoterpenes. We investigated photosynthesis and emission of volatile organic compounds upon heat stress in two Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Chardonnay’ clones differing only for a mutation in the DXS gene (2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway), regulating volatile isoprenoid biosynthesis. We showed that the mutation led to a strong increase in monoterpene emission upon heat stress. At the same time, maximum photochemical quantum yield (Fv/Fm ratio) of PSII was affected by the stress in the non-emitting clone while the monoterpene emitter showed a significant resilience, thus indicating a possible antioxidant role of monoterpenes in grapevine. Future mechanistic studies should focus on unveiling the actual mechanism responsible for such findings.

Shoot topping and other summer grapevine management practices are considered crucial for producing high-quality wine. However, in recent years, climate change is increasing the need to reassess these strategies, as excessive radiation and high temperatures can negatively impact canopy functionality and berry quality. Indeed, it has been hypothesized that limiting summer vegetative pruning may protect the bunch, via shading, and the leaf by maintaining a more favorable environment for leaf functionality (e.g., lower VPD, reduced high light stress) owing to a denser canopy. In this work, a series of canopy manipulation treatments (shoot topping vs. long-shoot bundling; secondary shoot trimming vs. untrimmed) were tested in a replicated factorial block design over two seasons in field-grown grapevine plants (cv. Cabernet Franc grafted in SO₄). Overall, treatments in which secondary shoot removal and/or shoot topping were not applied produced a higher canopy area, increased pruning wood and leaf layers, and had a higher F_v/F_m on warm days when compared to pruned canopies. These were associated with a year-dependent modulation of quality parameters of the must in which long-shoot bundling treatment, overall, produced the highest polyphenol and anthocyanin contents and must acidity. Our data provide evidence of a potential usefulness of preserving dense canopies under high temperature – high irradiance conditions with desirable effects on leaf photosynthesis and must quality when long-shoot bundling was applied.

Understanding the physiological basis underlying the water stress responses in grapevine is becoming increasingly topical owing to the challenges that climate change will impose to grapevine agriculture. Here we used cv. Pinot gris (clone H1), grafted on a series of tolerant (1103Paulsen; P), sensitive (SO4) and recently selected (Georgikon28; G28, Georgikon121; G121, Zamor17; Z17) rootstocks. Plants were either subjected to reduced water availability (WS) or maintained at pot capacity (WW). Photosynthetic (light response curves), stomatal and in vivo gas exchange analysis were carried out as well as dynamics of daily water use (WU), leaf area accumulation with affordable RGB imaging pipelines and leaf water potential. Significant genotypic variation was recorded between rootstocks for most of the traits analyzed under optimal conditions with P and SO4 showing a more vigorous growth, higher CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and stomatal density per unit of leaf area than G28, G121, Z17 (p < 0.001). Under WS, rootstocks induced different water stress response in Pinot gris, with G28 and G121 showing a higher sensitivity of water use to reduced water availability (WS) (p = 0.021) and no variation for midday leaf water potential until severe WS. P, Z17 and to some extent SO4 induced a pronounced near-anisohydric response with a general WU maintenance followed by reduction in leaf water potential even at high levels of soil water content. In addition, G28 and G121 showed a less marked slope in the linear relationship between daily water use and VPD (p = 0.008) suggesting elevated sensitivity of transpiration to evaporative demand. This led to an insensitivity for total dry weight biomass of G28 and G121 under WS conditions (p < 0.001). This work provides: (i) an in-depth analysis for a series of preferable traits under WS in Pinot gris; (ii) a characterization of Pinot gris × rootstock interaction and a series of desirable traits under WS induced by several rootstocks; (iii) the potential benefit for the use a series of affordable methods (e.g., RGB imaging) to easily detect dynamic changes in biomass in grapevine and quickly phenotype genotypes with superior responses under WS. In conclusion, the near-isohydric and conservative behavior observed for G28 and G121 coupled with their low vigor suggest them as potential Pinot gris rootstock candidates for sustaining grapevine productivity in shallow soils likely to develop terminal stress conditions.

Compact bunches have been often associated with higher susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea and therefore reduction in berry quality in grapevine. The objective of this study was to evaluate three management methods (early leaf removal, gibberellic acid, and their combination) for reducing bunch compactness in Vitis vinifera cv. Pinot gris trained in two different training systems with contrasting vigor (Guyot and pergola). Treatments were applied at BBCH 62 or BBCH 65 and yield components, total soluble solids, fruit set, and bunch compactness parameters were evaluated. Both treatments individually reduced berry number, mean bunches weight and bunches compactness as well as yield per vine when compared to control-untreated vines. However, no major differences were observed when both the treatments were applied in combination for Guyot or pergola although a higher reduction in yield was detected for Guyot and a significant increase in total soluble solids was observed in pergola. Our study suggests that intense leaf removal and gibberellic acid applied at early flowering can help reducing bunch compactness in Pinot gris and showing it in two training systems. In particular, leaf removal represents a valuable alternative to plant growth regulators (i.e., gibberellic acid) as applicable in organic viticulture.

Targeted pruning techniques may have the potential to shift phenological progression in grapevines. These approaches can be useful to escape late frost (after budburst) and to delay ripening, maintaining yield and berry quality under specific environmental scenarios and for targeted oenological aims. In this work we tested a series of pruning methods (late pruning and different forcing approaches to unlock the para-dormant buds) with the primary objective of delaying phenological onset while increasing must quality components in the Trento DOC basin (Italy) over three field seasons either in cv Chardonnay or cv Pinot noir. Delayed pruning shifted the onset of most of the phenological stages by 3 to 10 days with a general increase in must acidity at harvest over two seasons. Forcing techniques, and in particular forcing vine regrowth (i.e., removing primary productivity along with leaves and secondary shoots to force dormant bud growth), substantially reduced yield per vine (p < 0.001) but significantly (p < 0.001) enhanced total acidity and yeast available nitrogen when compared to winter pruning vines in both Chardonnay and Pinot noir. Different spring pruning for unlocking para-dormant buds aimed at double-cropping in 2022 did not yield a secondary harvest potentially due to lack of vigor in the vineyard (Pinot noir) and unfavorable environmental conditions that putatively anticipated bud pre-dormancy. However, reduced sugar levels in the primary productivity bunches of the treated vines were observed, suggesting that early source limitation (e.g., at fruit set) applied via reduced active photosynthetic leaf area may slow down technological ripening even if compensatory behaviors were observed in the treated plants through enhanced stomatal conductance. Our work provides evidence of the potential usefulness of different pruning approaches for manipulating phenological progression and berry ripening dynamics under climate change scenario in the Trento DOC area and suggests a lack of efficacy and specific drawbacks particularly in dry and hot years.