Open Access
Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis as a promising resource for improving berry quality in grapevines under changing environments
(Frontiers Media, 2018-06-29) Torres Molina, Nazareth; Antolín, M. Carmen; Goicoechea, Nieves; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Climate change and their resulting impacts are becoming a concern for winegrowers due to the high socioeconomic relevance of the winemaking sector worldwide. In fact, the projected climate change is expected to have detrimental impacts on the yield of grapevines, as well as on the quality and properties of grapes and wine. It is well known that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve the nutritional quality of edible parts of crops and play essential roles in the maintenance of host plant fitness under stressed environments, including grapevines. The future scenarios of climate change may also modify the diversity and the growth of AMF in soils as well as the functionality of the mycorrhizal symbiosis. In this review, we summarize recent research progress on the effects of climate change on grapevine metabolism, paying special attention to the secondary compounds involved in the organoleptic properties of grapes and wines and to the levels of the phytohormones implied in the control of berry development and fruit ripening. In this context, the potential role of AMF for maintaining fruit quality in future climate change scenarios is discussed.
Open Access
Arbuscular mycrorrhizal fungi inoculation and applied water amounts modulate the response of young grapevines to mild water stress in a hyper-arid season
(Frontiers Media, 2021-01-14) Torres Molina, Nazareth; Yu, Runze; Kurtural, Sahap Kaan; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Several factors may affect the success of a replanting vineyard. Given the current environmental conditions, an optimized irrigation schedule would still be one of the most desirable tools to improve crop productivity and fruit quality. On the other hand, the symbiosis of grapevines with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a key component of the vineyard production systems improving the vine growth, nutrient uptake, and berry quality. The aim of this study was to characterize the response of Merlot grapevines to AMF inoculation and two different irrigation amounts in their first productive year. The experiment was conducted on 2-year Merlot grapevines inoculated with AMF (I) or not-inoculated (NI) and subjected to two irrigation amounts, full irrigated (FI), where the amount of water was enough to maintain expansive growth and half irrigated (HI) where plants received the half of the amount of water of FI plants. Water status, gas exchange parameters, growth, mineral content, berry composition, and mycorrhizal colonization were monitored through the season. AMF inoculation improved the grapevine vegetative growth, water status, and photosynthetic activity, especially when vines were subjected to HI irrigation; however, no effect was observed on the leaf mineral content, must pH, total soluble solids, or total acidity. The main effects were observed on the flavonoid composition of berry skins at harvest. Irrigation amounts and mycorrhizal inoculation modified cyanidin and peonidin derivatives whereas flavonol composition was mainly affected by irrigation treatments. A strong relationship between the mycorrhizal colonization rate of roots and total quercetins, cyanidins, and peonidins was found. Findings support the use of a mycorrhizal inoculum and a better water management in a hyper-arid growing season; however, these results may be affected by edaphoclimatic characteristics and living microbiota in vineyard soils, which should be taken into account before making the decision of inoculating the vineyard.
Open Access
Mycorrhizal symbiosis affects ABA metabolism during berry ripening in vitis vinifera L. cv. tempranillo grown under climate change scenarios
(Elsevier, 2018-06-19) Torres Molina, Nazareth; Goicoechea, Nieves; Zamarreño, Ángel M.; Antolín, M. Carmen; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is a promising tool for improving the quality of grapes under changing environments. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine if the ability of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance phenolic content (specifically, anthocyanins) in a climate change framework could be mediated by alterations in berry ABA metabolism during ripening. The study was carried out on fruit-bearing cuttings of cv. Tempranillo (CL-1048 and CL-1089) inoculated (+M) or not (-M) with AMF. Two experimental designs were implemented. In the first experiment +M and -M plants were subjected to two temperatures (24/14°C or 28/18°C (day/night)) from fruit set to berry maturity. In the second experiment, +M and -M plants were subjected to two temperatures (24/14°C or 28/18°C (day/night)) combined with two irrigation regimes (late water deficit (LD) and full irrigation (FI)). At 28/18°C AMF contributed to an increase in berry anthocyanins and modulated ABA metabolism, leading to higher ABA-GE and 7'OH-ABA and lower phaseic acid (PA) in berries compared to -M plants. Under the most stressful scenario (LD and 28/18°C), at harvest +M plants exhibited higher berry anthocyanins and 7´OH-ABA and lower PA and dihydrophaseic acid (DPA) levels than -M plants. These findings highlight the involvement of ABA metabolism into the ability of AMF to improve some traits involved in the quality of grapes under global warming scenarios.
Open Access
Remote sensing for plant water content monitoring: a review
(MDPI, 2021) Quemada Mayoral, Carlos; Pérez Escudero, José Manuel; Gonzalo García, Ramón; Ederra Urzainqui, Íñigo; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Torres Molina, Nazareth; Iriarte Galarregui, Juan Carlos; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology - IMAB
Las redes sociales se han convertido en una de las principales fuentes de información, especialmente entre los más jóvenes. Al mismo tiempo, se ha incrementado la producción y circulación de información falsa o fake news a través de las redes. En este contexto, resulta crucial que los jóvenes adquieran estrategias y competencias para realizar una lectura crítica de la información que consumen. Este estudio busca analizar el comportamiento del alumnado de secundaria ante la información falsa y el efecto de una intervención didáctica, realizada online durante la pandemia de la covid-19, cuyo objetivo era que el alumnado desarrollara competencias para detectar noticias falsas. Se trata de una investigación participativa con un diseño de pre-test y post-test. Los resultados muestran que el alumnado incrementó su competencia para identificar algunos tipos de falsedad como la información no probada y la información tergiversada, si bien tuvo problemas para reconocer información descontextualizada o el uso de lenguaje discriminatorio. Las estrategias que más utilizó son la comprobación de datos en internet y el uso de verificadores. Se observaron comportamientos diferenciados entre el alumnado que identificó la información falsa y el que no lo hizo. Las conclusiones apuntan a la necesidad de trabajar en el aula de forma integral, extensiva y transversal la evaluación de la información partiendo de las habilidades que el alumnado ya posee.
Open Access
Antioxidant properties of leaves from different accessions of grapevine (vitis vinifera L.) cv. tempranillo after applying biotic and/or environmental modulator factors
(Elsevier, 2015-01-17) Torres Molina, Nazareth; Antolín, M. Carmen; Goicoechea, Nieves; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Within climate change scenario, the maintenance of grape quality and wine characteristics will be the main concern for viticulture in the future years. However, changes in the composition of grapevine pruning wastes (i.e., leaves and stems) could be another interesting aspect as important antioxidant source for pharmaceutical industry due its richness in phenolic compounds beneficial for human health. To date, the effect of biotic and environmental factors in the accumulation of these compounds in leaves had received little attention. Therefore, the aims of study were (1) to evaluate the effect of biotic (mycorrhizal inoculation) and environmental (temperature) factors, alone or combined, on phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of leaf extracts of grapevine and (2) to determine whether such effects differed among accessions of the same cultivar of grapevine. The study was carried out using container-grown grapevines grown in greenhouses. Dormant Vitis vinifera (L.) cuttings of different accessions of Tempranillo were selected to get fruit-bearing cuttings. At transplanting, half of the plants of each accession were inoculated with the mycorrhizal inoculum and after fruit set, plants were exposed to two temperature regimes (24 °C/14 °C and 28 °C/18 °C (day/night)) to commercially berry ripe. Results showed that total phenolic content, antioxidant compounds like flavonols and anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity of leaves were improved with mycorrhizal inoculation under high temperature conditions. It was concluded that mycorrhizal inoculation of grapevines could contribute to preserve high level of antioxidant compounds of leaves in a future climate change scenario. However, the effects were strongly dependent of accession assayed, which indicated a significant intra-varietal diversity in the response of Tempranillo to biotic and environmental factors.
Open Access
Shifts in phenolic composition and aromatic profiles of Cabernet Sauvignon (vitis vinifera L.) wines are driven by different irrigation amounts in a hot climate
(Elsevier, 2021) Torres Molina, Nazareth; Yu, Runze; Martínez-Lüscher, Johann; Girardello, Raul C.; Kostaki, Evmorfia; Oberholster, Anita; Kurtural, Sahap Kaan; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Wine final color, taste and aroma are closely related to the accumulation of secondary metabolites that may be affected by deficit irrigation applied in viticulture. A two-year study was conducted to assess the different fractions of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) irrigation replacement on wine composition, addressing the analysis of flavonoids and volatiles under context of global warming. Irrigating with 100% ETc (full grapevine demand) enhanced wine hue, antioxidant capacity, and some aromas; however, it came with a diminution of flavonoids and a less stable flavonoid profile. Replacing 25 and 50% ETc in wine grape improved wine color intensity, concentration of flavonoids, and shifted the aromatic profiles. These treatments increased some terpenes and esters which may enhance the desirable aromas for Cabernet Sauvignon, and decreased C6 alcohols related to unpleasant ones. Therefore, despite the warming trends in Mediterranean climates, 100% ETc irrigation would be not advisable to improve or maintain wine quality, and 50% ETc was sufficient.
Open Access
Flavonoid and amino acid profiling on vitis vinifera L. cv tempranillo subjected to deficit irrigation under elevated temperaturas
(Elsevier, 2017-05-03) Torres Molina, Nazareth; Hilbert, Ghislaine; Luquin, Josu; Goicoechea, Nieves; Antolín, M. Carmen; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Throughout the southern Mediterranean regions of Europe, projected climate warming combined with severe droughts during the growing season may alter grape metabolism, thus modifying the nutritional value of berries and the quality of wines. This study investigated the effects of pre- and post-veraison drought under elevated temperatures on berry skin metabolism of two Tempranillo clones (CL). Experimental assays were performed on fruit-bearing cuttings from CL-1089 and CL-843 of Vitis vinifera (L.) cv. Tempranillo subjected to two temperature regimes (24/14 °C or 28/18 °C (day/night)) combined with three irrigation regimes during berry ripening: (i) water deficit from fruit set to veraison (early deficit, ED); (ii) water deficit from veraison to maturity (late deficit, LD); and (iii) full irrigation (FI). At 24/14 °C, the LD treatment performed better than the ED treatment. Differences were attenuated at 28/18 °C and responses were modulated by type of clone. Elevated temperatures induced the accumulation of hexoses and amino acids in berries. ED at 24/14 °C reduced anthocyanins and flavonols, which may decrease the antioxidant properties of fruits. In contrast, the levels of these secondary metabolites did not decrease when LD was applied. Our results suggest that the adaptation of grapevines for climate change might be plausible with the optimization of timing of water deficit and the appropriate selection of clones.
Open Access
Berry quality and antioxidant properties in vitis vinifera cv. tempranillo as affected by clonal variability, mycorrhizal inoculation and temperatura
(CSIRO Publishing, 2016-08-24) Torres Molina, Nazareth; Goicoechea, Nieves; Morales Iribas, Fermín; Antolín, M. Carmen; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
The projected increase in mean temperatures caused by climate change is expected to have detrimental impacts on berry quality. Microorganisms as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) produce numerous benefits to host plants and can help plants to cope with abiotic stresses such as high temperature. The aims of this research were to characterise the response of three clones of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo to elevated temperatures and to determine whether AMF inoculation can improve berry antioxidant properties under these conditions. The study was carried out on three fruit-bearing cuttings clones of cv. Tempranillo (CL-260, CL-1048 and CL-1089) inoculated with AMF or uninoculated and subjected to two temperature regimes (day¿night: 24°C¿14°C and 28°C¿18°C) during berry ripening. Results showed that clonal diversity of Tempranillo resulted in different abilities to respond to elevated temperature and AMF inoculation. In CL-1048, AMF inoculation improved parameters related to phenolic maturity such as anthocyanin content and increased antioxidant activity under elevated temperature, demonstrating a protective role of AMF inoculation against warming effects on berry quality. The results therefore suggest that selection of new clones and/or the implementation of measures to promote the association of grapevines with AMF could be strategies to improve berry antioxidant properties under future warming conditions.
Open Access
Inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and irrigation management shaped the bacterial and fungal communities and networks in vineyard soils
(MDPI, 2021) Torres Molina, Nazareth; Yu, Runze; Kurtural, Sahap Kaan; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Vineyard-living microbiota affect grapevine health and adaptation to changing environments and determine the biological quality of soils that strongly influence wine quality. However, their abundance and interactions may be affected by vineyard management. The present study was conducted to assess whether the vineyard soil microbiome was altered by the use of biostimulants (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation vs. non-inoculated) and/or irrigation management (fully irrigated vs. half irrigated). Bacterial and fungal communities in vineyard soils were shaped by both time course and soil management (i.e., the use of biostimulants and irrigation). Regarding alpha diversity, fungal communities were more responsive to treatments, whereas changes in beta diversity were mainly recorded in the bacterial communities. Edaphic factors rarely influence bacterial and fungal communities. Microbial network analyses suggested that the bacterial associations were weaker than the fungal ones under half irrigation and that the inoculation with AMF led to the increase in positive associations between vineyard-soil-living microbes. Altogether, the results highlight the need for more studies on the effect of management practices, especially the addition of AMF on cropping systems, to fully understand the factors that drive their variability, strengthen beneficial microbial networks, and achieve better soil quality, which will improve crop performance.
Open Access
Impacts of leaf removal and shoot thinning on cumulative daily light intensity and thermal time and their cascading effects of grapevine (vitis vinifera L.) berry and wine chemistry in warm climates
(Elsevier, 2020-10-23) Torres Molina, Nazareth; Martínez-Lüscher, Johann; Porte, Etienne; Yu, Runze; Kurtural, Sahap Kaan; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Leaf removal (LR), shoot thinning (ST) and their combination (LRST) are known to increase berry solar exposure affecting berry composition and consequently improving wine quality and antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that LR, ST or their combination (LRST) would affect flavonoid content during berry ripening by means of changes of the berry microclimate (light and temperature) as well as wine composition, quality, and antioxidant properties. Thermal time and sum of light intensity thresholds were different to achieve the maximum berry anthocyanin and flavonol contents. ST mostly affected wine characteristics by increasing alcoholic content, acidity, hue and phenolic substances. Wine antioxidant capacity decreased in ST wines likely by decreases in catechin and quercetin contents. ST and LRST increased proanthocyanidin polymerization and decreased monomeric flavan-3-ols, which may reduce wine bitterness and enhance astringency. Therefore, the management of canopy should take into account the warming trends in viticulture regions, rather than being applied preemptively.