Open Access
Oenological significance of vineyard management zones delineated using early grape sampling
(Springer, 2014) Urretavizcaya Sanz, Inés; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Tisseyre, B.; Guillaume, S.; Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Royo Díaz, José Bernardo; Producción Agraria; Nekazaritza Ekoizpena; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, IIM11879.RI.1
Early definition of oenologically significant zones within a vineyard is one of the main goals of precision viticulture, as it would allow an increase in profitability through the adaptation of agronomic practices to the specific requirements of each zone, and/or segregation of the harvest into different batches to produce wines with different qualities. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether early grape sampling is a relevant tool for within-vineyard zone definition. The study was carried out in 2010 and 2011 in a 4.2 ha vineyard, where a grid of 60 sampling points was defined. 300-berry samples were picked from each sampling point after veraison and at harvest, post-veraison information being used to define zones within the vineyard after fuzzy k-means analysis and subsequent application of a zoning procedure that took into account membership degree and neighbourhood criteria. Two variations of the zoning procedure were used, standard (StdZ) and top (TopZ) zoning. Each was designed to meet different requirements of wineries; StdZ gave the same oenological relevance to all the zones, and TopZ differentiated the zones producing 'top class' grapes, minimizing the within-zone variability in the top-class zone. Grape composition obtained at harvest from the zones delineated post-veraison was compared. Zone delineation using post-veraison data was proved to be oenologically relevant, provided sampling is performed once veraison is completed. The two zoning algorithms designed were shown to be suitable for objective zone delineation according to the goals intended for each.
Open Access
Pollen viability, self-incompatibility, and a very singular S-allele structure between the reasons for the limited potential productivity of traditional Basque cider apple varieties
(Elsevier, 2023) Crespo Martínez, Sara; Oneka Mugica, Oihane; Laquidain Imirizaldu, María Jesús; Urrestarazu Vidart, Jorge; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology - IMAB; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Cider regions conserve a broad diversity of traditional cultivars for which knowledge has hardly evolved. Key aspects of their reproductive biology are barely known, hindering improvement in orchard management and resulting in highly variable yields. In this study, we characterized key aspects of the reproductive biology of some traditional apple cultivars from the Basque-style cider-producing area in northern Spain (Basque Country and Navarre). We tested for pollen quality, self-compatibility, and cross-compatibility (S-genotyping). The pollen quality was good except for Urtebete, Errezila, Reineta Encarnada, and triploid varieties. Self-pollination results confirm the need for pollinators, as only Moko and Txalaka showed certain self-compatibility. Regarding Sgenotyping, the population proved very singular, with an atypically high frequency of S26, a frequent allele within crabapples, and the appearance of a novel unpublished allele (S60). The knowledge generated for this variety pool will contribute to a better choice of suitable pollinators, preventing the use of popular crabapple varieties that are demonstrated to be partly incompatible with them, and will lead to an increase in potential yields in the region.
Open Access
Quantifying the effects of water status on grapevine vegetative growth, yield, and grape composition through a collaborative analysis
(Wiley, 2025-05-14) Contreras Uriarte, David; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Mirás-Ávalos, José M.; Buesa, Ignacio; Cancela, Javier José; Chacón, Juan Luis; Escalona, José M.; Intrigliolo, Diego S.; Lampreave, Miriam; Montoro, Amelia; Rivacoba Gómez, Luis; Visconti, Fernando; Yuste, Jesús; Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
The consolidation of scientific knowledge is based on the accumulation and understanding of previous findings. Nowadays, reviews of the scientific literature have become more effective through the use of meta-analyses, which are systematic evaluations of the results from multiple studies. Similarly, mega-analyses, which combine raw data from many studies into a single sample for processing and statistical analysis, are a very powerful tool for analyzing results of heterogeneous origin but require a high level of collaboration between the researchers contributing data. In the framework of a collaborative methodology between different Spanish viticultural research groups, this work uses a mega-analytical approach to quantify the effects of changes in vine water status on vine vegetative growth, yield, and grape composition, integrating a wide range of growing conditions to obtain robust general trends of vine performance under water deficit. The mean seasonal stem water potential data from the different studies allowed a classification into five levels of water status (no deficit ⟶ mild ⟶ moderate ⟶ high ⟶ severe). A progressive decrease in vegetative growth with increasing deficit was observed, while yield decreased more markedly as water deficit progressed from moderate to high. On the other hand, titratable acidity was more sensitive to variation in water status than sugar concentration, with a greater decrease in titratable acidity when changing from no to moderate deficit. Conversely, increasing water deficit from moderate to high resulted in the greatest increases in grape anthocyanin in the red varieties explored. The results obtained in this work provide solid information on general trends in grapevine response to water deficit that can be used in simulation models or incorporated by grape growers in their decision-making processes in relation not only to irrigation management but also on other agronomic tools to impact grapevine water status.
Open Access
Unlocking Spanish pear genetic diversity: strategies for construction of a national core collection
(Springer Nature, 2024-11-04) Irisarri, Patricia; Urrestarazu Vidart, Jorge; Ramos-Cabrer, Ana; Pereira-Lorenzo, Santiago; Velázquez-Barrera, María Encarnación; Díaz-Hernández, María Belén; Dapena, Enrique; Urbina, Valero; Dalmases, Josep; Ríos-Mesa, Domingo; Crespo Martínez, Sara; Loidi Erviti, Maite; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Ascasíbar-Errasti, Javier; Errea, Pilar; Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Pina, Ana; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology - IMAB
Spanish pear germplasm collections are crucial for preservation, research, and breeding efforts. However, genetic diversity and structure is unknown at national level. A coordinated national project analyzed 1251 accessions from 7 Spanish pear collections using an internationally recognized set of 14 SSRs to enhance the utilization of these collections. Key findings included the identification of 760 unique genotypes (490 diploids and 270 triploids). Notably, genotypes represented by a single accession accounted for 49% of the total, indicating high vulnerability of this material. Using a Bayesian clustering method revealed two main genetic groups, G1 containing most foreign cultivars and G2 retaining local Spanish cultivars, which were further divided into two other subgroups using a nested approach, revealing moderate but significant differentiation among them. The populations were renamed according to the origin of the reference samples assigned to each group as 'South' (G1.1), 'Western Europe-1' (G1.2), 'Western Europe-2' (G2.1) and 'No-Pyrus communis' (G2.2). The results led to the creation of a 'generalist' collection, aiming to maximize genetic diversity representativeness, starting with 68 genotypes but expanding to 111 to achieve better allele recovery. This core collection is a valuable resource for genetic studies and conservation, enhancing efforts to preserve pear biodiversity.
Open Access
A water content continuous monitoring of grapevine xylem tissue using a portable low-power cost-effective FMCW radar
(IEEE, 2019) Quemada Mayoral, Carlos; García González, Cebrián; Iriarte Galarregui, Juan Carlos; Marín Ederra, Diana; Gastón Beraza, Diego; Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Gonzalo García, Ramón; Maestrojuán Biurrun, Itziar; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Ederra Urzainqui, Íñigo; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, PI025 VITHZ; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, 0011-1365-2016-000084 RAFF
This paper presents the real-time monitoring of a grapevine’s water content that flows up through the xylem tissue by means of a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar. The application of an optimization process, based on the super-resolution multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm, has enabled the reduction of the bandwidth required to discern the xylem water content, and thus the operating frequency, achieving a depth resolution of at least 3 mm. This design advantage has resulted in a significant step forward towards a real life application, allowing the use of fully-integrated off-the-shelf components in order to implement a completely portable low-power cost-effective radar at 23.1 GHz with a 3.4 GHz bandwidth. The sensor performance has been evaluated by means of three different experiments: irrigation cycles, day/night cycles and comparison between irrigation cycles at different temperatures. From the experimental results, it is possible to assert that the contactless sensor presented in this work is very sensitive to changes in the plant’s water content, differentiating between daytime and nighttime. In addition, it has been proved that temperature has a noticeable influence over the evapotranspiration, observing negative drying slopes of 5.62 mV/cycle and 6.28 mV/cycle at 23ºC and 26ºC respectively.
Open Access
Sampling stratification using aerial imagery to estimate fruit load in peach tree orchards
(MDPI, 2018) Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Urrestarazu Vidart, Jorge; Loidi Erviti, Maite; Royo Díaz, José Bernardo; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
A quick and accurate sampling method for determining yield in peach orchards could lead to better crop management decisions, more accurate insurance claim adjustment, and reduced expenses for the insurance industry. Given that sample size depends exclusively on the variability of the trees on the orchard, it is necessary to have a quick and objective way of assessing this variability. The aim of this study was to use remote sensing to detect the spatial variability within peach orchards and classify trees into homogeneous zones that constitute sampling strata to decrease sample size. Five mature peach orchards with different degrees of spatial variability were used. A regular grid of trees was established on each orchard, their trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) was measured, and yield was measured as number of fruits/tree on the central tree of each one of them. Red Vegetation Index (RVI) was calculated from aerial images with 0.25 m pixel -1 resolution, and used, either alone or in combination with TCSA, to delineate sampling strata using cluster fuzzy k-means. Completely randomized (CRS) and stratified samplings were compared through 10,000 iterations, and the Minimum Sample Size required to obtain estimates of actual production for three quality levels of sampling was calculated in each case. The images allowed accurate determination of the number of trees, allowing a proper application of completely randomized sampling designs. Tree size and the canopy density estimated by means of multispectral indices are complementary parameters suitable for orchard stratification, decreasing the sample size required to determine fruit count up to 20–35% compared to completely randomized samples.
Open Access
Analysis of the genetic diversity and structure across a wide range of germplasm reveals prominent gene flow in apple at the European level
(BioMed Central, 2016) Urrestarazu Vidart, Jorge; Denancé, Caroline; Ravon, Elisa; Guyader, Arnaud; Guisnel, Rémi; Feugey, Laurence; Poncet, Charles; Lateur, Marc; Houben, Patrick; Ordidge, Matthew; Fernández Fernández, Felicidad; Evans, Kate M.; Paprstein, Frantisek; Sedlak, Jiri; Nybom, Hilde; Garkava Gustavsson, Larisa; Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Gassmann, Jennifer; Kellerhals, Markus; Suprun, Ivan; Pikunova, Anna V.; Krasova, Nina G.; Torutaeva, Elnura; Dondini, Luca; Tartarini, Stefano; Laurens, François; Durel, Charles Eric; Producción Agraria; Nekazaritza Ekoizpena
Background: The amount and structure of genetic diversity in dessert apple germplasm conserved at a European level is mostly unknown, since all diversity studies conducted in Europe until now have been performed on regional or national collections. Here, we applied a common set of 16 SSR markers to genotype more than 2,400 accessions across 14 collections representing three broad European geographic regions (North + East, West and South) with the aim to analyze the extent, distribution and structure of variation in the apple genetic resources in Europe. Results: A Bayesian model-based clustering approach showed that diversity was organized in three groups, although these were only moderately differentiated (FST = 0.031). A nested Bayesian clustering approach allowed identification of subgroups which revealed internal patterns of substructure within the groups, allowing a finer delineation of the variation into eight subgroups (FST = 0.044). The first level of stratification revealed an asymmetric division of the germplasm among the three groups, and a clear association was found with the geographical regions of origin of the cultivars. The substructure revealed clear partitioning of genetic groups among countries, but also interesting associations between subgroups and breeding purposes of recent cultivars or particular usage such as cider production. Additional parentage analyses allowed us to identify both putative parents of more than 40 old and/or local cultivars giving interesting insights in the pedigree of some emblematic cultivars. Conclusions: The variation found at group and subgroup levels may reflect a combination of historical processes of migration/selection and adaptive factors to diverse agricultural environments that, together with genetic drift, have resulted in extensive genetic variation but limited population structure. The European dessert apple germplasm represents an important source of genetic diversity with a strong historical and patrimonial value. The present work thus constitutes a decisive step in the field of conservation genetics. Moreover, the obtained data can be used for defining a European apple core collection useful for further identification of genomic regions associated with commercially important horticultural traits in apple through genome-wide association studies.
Open Access
Recovery of ancient grapevine plant material in peri‑urban areas. A case of success in Pamplona (Spain) leading to the recovery of cv. Berués
(Elsevier, 2022) Crespo Martínez, Sara; Mayor Azcona, Blanca; Oneka Mugica, Oihane; Loidi Erviti, Maite; Villa Llop, Ana; Marín Ederra, Diana; Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Urrestarazu Vidart, Jorge; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology - IMAB; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Viticulture was relatively important in the peri‑urban area of Pamplona till the end of the 19th century, but suffered a continued regression that has led to a nearly complete disappearance of vineyards. In this context, this work aims to evaluate the feasibility of recovering old grapevine germplasm in the peri‑urban area of Pamplona. The lack of a conventional source for recovering plant material (i.e. absence of old vineyards in the area) implied the need of designing an alternative prospecting procedure. This method included the analysis of the available historical information as open-access resources (orthophotos, land use maps and GIS applications) aiming to identify the areas with the highest probability of finding vines surviving from the general abandonment and uprooting of vineyards that had occurred in the 20th century. Based on the oldest on scale orthophoto available for Navarra, a vineyard land map of the peri‑urban area of Pamplona in year 1956 was built, allowing prospecting efforts to be focused on specific areas of primarily interest. Following this strategy, a total of 120 plants were collected, which corresponded to 44 genotypes. The most prominent achievement of this prospecting mission was the recovery of 15 accessions of Berués, a very old variety with a remarkable importance in the region according to old historical records, and considered to be disappeared. The methodology proposed was effective in searching for the oldest standing-alone plants surviving in the peri‑urban area of Pamplona, and may be adapted to assist the recovery of old grapevine germplasm in other currently non wine-growing regions/areas where viticulture was relevant some decades ago. © 2021
Open Access
Agronomic evaluation of eight 41 B × 110 richter grapevine genotypes as rootstock candidates for mediterranean viticulture
(KeAi Communications, 2023) Marín Ederra, Diana; Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Abad Zamora, Francisco Javier; Urrestarazu Vidart, Jorge; Mayor Azcona, Blanca; Villa Llop, Ana; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology - IMAB; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Choosing the most appropriate rootstock(s) is a key decision for the profitability of vineyards; therefore, there must be a sufficient range of rootstocks in the market adapted to different environmental conditions and production objectives. However, rootstock-breeding programs have been scarce in recent decades, and most of the rootstocks used today were bred a century ago, when the needs of the sector were very different from today. In this work, we aimed to evaluate new rootstock candidates before their introduction in the market. An agronomic evaluation was conducted on eight novel rootstock genotypes obtained from the first generation of the cross-pollination of 41 B Millardet et de Grasset (41 B) and 110 Richter (110 R) grafted with ‘Syrah’ and ‘Tempranillo’ and planted in a typical vineyard of the Ebro Valley in Spain. During the four consecutive growing seasons (2016e2019), growth, yield and berry composition parameters at harvest were collected. A linear mixedeffects model was constructed, considering year and block as random effects. Multiple factor analysis and hierarchical clustering on principal components were performed to establish clusters of genotypes with similar behaviour. The rootstock candidates showed a very wide performance range compared to their parents. The trial allowed us to identify two very promising candidates (RG8 and RG10), whose registration as commercial rootstocks is already in progress.
Open Access
Terahertz time domain spectroscopy allows contactless monitoring of grapevine water status
(Frontiers Media, 2015) Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Palacios Horcajada, Inés; Miranda Jiménez, Carlos; Iriarte Galarregui, Juan Carlos; Royo Díaz, José Bernardo; Gonzalo García, Ramón; Producción Agraria; Nekazaritza Ekoizpena; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, IIM14244.RI1
Agriculture is the sector with the greatest water consumption, since food production is frequently based on crop irrigation. Proper irrigation management requires reliable information on plant water status, but all the plant-based methods to determine it suffer from several inconveniences, mainly caused by the necessity of destructive sampling or of alteration of the plant organ due to contact installation. The aim of this work is to test if terahertz (THz) time domain reflectance measurements made on the grapevine trunk allows contactless monitoring of plant status. The experiments were performed on a potted 14-years-old plant, using a general purpose THz emitter receiver head. Trunk THz time-domain reflection signal proved to be very sensitive to changes in plant water availability, as its pattern follows the trend of soil water content and trunk growth variations. Therefore, it could be used to contactless monitor plant water status. Apart from that, THz reflection signal was observed to respond to light conditions which, according to a specifically designed girdling experiment, was caused by changes in the phloem. This latter results opens a promising field of research for contactless monitoring of phloem activity.