Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), a globally significant crop, is highly susceptible to Botrytis cinerea, the causative agent of gray mold disease. This study investigates transcriptomic responses to B. cinerea in tolerant and susceptible grapevine genotypes using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at three time points (T1, T2, T3), highlighting both genotype-independent and genotype-specific responses. Early-stage infection (T1) revealed rapid and robust activation of defense pathways in both genotypes, though the tolerant genotype showed enhanced modulation of metabolic processes by T2, prioritizing secondary metabolism and stress adaptation over growth. In contrast, the susceptible genotype exhibited less coordinated metabolic reprogramming, with delayed or weaker activation of key defense mechanisms. Gene Ontology and KEGG analyses identified critical pathways, including phenylpropanoid biosynthesis-like lignin metabolism, MAPK signaling, as well as candidate genes such as WRKY transcription factors and enzymes involved in cell wall fortification and antifungal compound biosynthesis. Genotype-specific responses emphasized metabolic flexibility as a determinant of resistance, with the tolerant genotype exhibiting superior resource allocation to defense pathways. These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of grapevine resistance to B. cinerea, offering potential targets for breeding or genetic engineering to enhance resilience and reduce fungicide dependency.

Post-harvest decay of fresh table grapes causes considerable annual production losses. The main fungal agents of decay both in pre- and post-harvest are B. cinerea, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp., and Cladosporium spp. To date, the use of agrochemicals and SO₂ are the main methods to control grape molds in pre- and postharvest, respectively. Significant improvements, however, have already been made in to apply innovative and more environmentally sustainable control strategies, such as Biological Control Agents (BCAs), which can reduce disease severity in both pre- and post-harvest. In this study, 31 new non-Saccharomyces yeast strains, isolated from berries of native Apulian table grape genotypes, were tested for their in vivo effectiveness against grey mold of table grapes, resulting in two St. bacillaris (‘N22_I1’ and ‘S13_I3’), one S. diversa (‘N22_I3’), one A. pullulans (‘OLB_9.1_VL’) and one H. uvarum (‘OLB_9.1_BR’) yeast strains that were marked as efficient and good BCAs. Their mechanisms of action were characterized through in vitro assays, and additional characteristics were evaluated to assess the economic feasibility and viability for future technological employment. Their effectiveness was tested by reducing the working concentration, their antagonistic effect on a wide range of fungal pathogens, their ability to survive in formulations with long shelf life, and their safety to human health.

New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs) protocols have been developed to produce new grape varieties with improved quantitative and qualitative characteristics. Reliable transformation protocols for grapes are based on the generation/induction of embryogenic callus cells that are then transformed. Varieties such as Italia have proven to be very recalcitrant to regeneration via somatic embryogenesis. In this work, the development of a protocol for improved production of embryogenic calluses is described. Two sterilization protocols were tested: (a) a lower active chlorine concentration for a longer time (LS); and (b) a higher chlorine concentration for a shorter time (HS), in combination with the absence or presence of citric acid in the growing substrate in the first growth media. The embryogenic calluses formation in Chardonnay, a cv. with a high embryogenic response, was significantly higher in presence of citric acid in the initial growing substrate regardless of the sterilization protocol. In Aglianico, a cv. with a lower embryogenic response, no significant differences were observed. Instead, in a recalcitrant cv. as Italia, we obtained a 13-fold increase in embryogenic calluses formation performing sterilization of flowers with the HS protocol compared to LS.