The anthocyanin composition, fatty acids, and volatile aromas are important for Cabernet Sauvignon grape quality. This study evaluated the effect of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the anthocyanin composition, fatty acids, lipoxygenase activity, and the volatile compounds of Cabernet Sauvignon grape berries. Exogenous ABA and MeJA improved the content of total anthocyanins (TAC) and individual anthocyanins. Lipoxygenase (LOX) activity also increased after treatment. Furthermore, 16 fatty acids were detected. The linoleic acid concentration gradually increased with ABA concentration. The fatty acid content decreased with increasing MeJA concentration and then increased again, with the exception of linoleic acid. After exogenous ABA and MeJA treatment, the C6 aroma content increased significantly. Interestingly, the exogenous ABA and MeJA treatments improved mainly the content of 1-hexanol, hexanal, and 2-heptanol. These results provide insight into the effect of plant hormones on wine grapes, which is useful for grape quality improvement.

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) have the ability to solubilize insoluble phosphorus (P) and release soluble P. Extensive research has been performed with respect to PSB isolation from the rhizospheres of various plants, but little is known about the prevalence of PSB in the grapevine rhizosphere. In this study, we aimed to isolate and identify PSB from the grapevine rhizosphere in five vineyards of Northwest China, to characterize their plant-growth-promoting (PGP) traits, evaluate the effect of stress on their phosphate-solubilizing activity (PSA), and test their ability to stimulate the growth of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. From the vineyard soils, 66 PSB isolates were screened, and 10 strains with high PSA were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. Sequence analysis revealed that these 10 strains belonged to 4 genera and 5 species: Bacillus aryabhattai, B. megaterium, Klebsiella variicola, Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, and Enterobacter aerogenes. The selected PSB strains JY17 (B. aryabhattai) and JY22 (B. aryabhattai) were positive for multiple PGP traits, including nitrogen fixation and production of indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, chitinase, and protease. JY17 and JY22 showed strong PSA under stress conditions of high pH, high salt, and high temperature. Therefore, these two isolates can be used as biofertilizers in saline-alkaline soils. The inoculation with PSB significantly facilitated the growth of V. vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon under greenhouse conditions. Use of these PSB as biofertilizers will increase the available P content in soils, minimize P-fertilizer application, reduce environmental pollution, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Anthocyanins are important phenolic compounds in grape skins, affecting the color, oxidation resistance, and aging ability of red wine. In recent years, global warming has had a negative effect on anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape berries. Ethylene serves as a crucial phytohormone regulating the development and ripening processes of fruit; however, the specific molecular mechanism and the regulatory network between ethylene signaling and the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway remain incompletely understood. In this study, 400 mg/L ethephon (ETH) solution was sprayed onto the surface of grape berries at the lag phase (EL-34), and the changes in anthocyanin-related genes and metabolites were explored through transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. The results showed that ETH treatment increased Brix and pH in mature berries. In total, 35 individual anthocyanins were detected, in which 21 individual anthocyanins were enhanced by ETH treatment. However, the anthocyanin profile was not affected by exogenous ethylene. Transcriptomics analysis showed that there were a total of 825 and 1399 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) 12 h and 24 h after treatment. Moreover, key structural genes in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway were strongly induced, including VvPAL, VvCHS, VvF3H, VvF3′5′H, VvDFR and VvUFGT. At the maturity stage (EL-38), the expression levels of these genes were still higher in EHT-treated berries than in the control. ETH treatment also influenced the expression of genes related to hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction. The ethylene biosynthesis gene (VvACO), ethylene receptor genes (VvETR2, VvERS1 and VvEIN4), ABA biosynthesis gene (VvNCED2), and ABA receptor gene (VvPYL4) were up-regulated by ETH treatment, while the auxin biosynthesis gene (VvTAA3) and seven genes of the auxin-responsive protein were inhibited by exogenous ethylene. Meanwhile, ETH treatment promoted the expression of the sugar transporter gene (VvEDL16) and two sucrose synthase genes (VvSUS2 and VvSUS6). In EHT-treated berries, 19 MYB and 23 ERF genes were expressed differently compared with the control (p < 0.05). This study provides the theoretical foundation and technical support for the regulation of anthocyanin synthesis in non-climacteric fruit.