Elevated temperatures during berry ripening have been shown to affect grape quality. The crop forcing technique (summer pruning that 'force' the vine to start a new cycle) has been shown to improve ...berry quality by delaying the harvest date. However, yield is typically reduced on forced vines, which is attributed to vine low carbon availability soon after forcing and likely incomplete inflorescence formation. The present study aims to estimate the carbon balance of forced vines and evaluate vine responses to changes in carbon patterns due to forcing. Three treatments were studied on Tempranillo cultivar: non-forced vines (Control), vines forced shortly after fruit set (CF
) and vines forced one month later at the beginning of bunch closure (CF
). Whole canopy net carbon exchange was modelled and validated using two whole canopy gas exchange chambers. In addition, non-structural carbohydrate reserves at budburst, forcing date and harvest, were analysed. Yield, yield components and vegetative growth were also evaluated. Harvest date was delayed by one and two months in the CF
and CF
, respectively, which increased must acidity. However, yield was lower in the forced treatments compared to the Control (49% lower for CF
and 82% for CF
). In the second year, at the time when CF
and CF
dormant buds were unlocked (forced budburst), forced vines had significantly lower non-structural carbohydrates than Control vines at budburst. Although the time elapsed from budburst to reach maximum net carbon exchange was longer for the Control treatment (80 days) than for the forced treatments (about 40 days), average daily net carbon exchange until harvest was comparable between Control (60.9 g CO
/vine/day) and CF
(55.9 g CO
/vine/day), but not for CF
(38.7 g CO
/vine/day). In addition, the time elapsed from budburst to harvest was shorter in forced treatments (about 124 days) than for the Control (172 days). As a result, the cumulative net carbon exchange until harvest was reduced by 35% (CF
) and 55% (CF
) in the forced treatments. However, no differences in carbon reserves at harvest were observed between treatments partly helped by the higher source:sink ratio observed in forced than Control vines.
There are activities in viticulture and mariculture that require extreme physical endurance from human workers, making them prime candidates for automation and robotization. This paper presents a ...novel, practical, heterogeneous, autonomous robotic system divided into two main parts, each dealing with respective scenarios in viticulture and mariculture. The robotic components and the subsystems that enable collaboration were developed as part of the ongoing HEKTOR project, and each specific scenario is presented. In viticulture, this includes vineyard surveillance, spraying and suckering with an all-terrain mobile manipulator (ATMM) and a lightweight autonomous aerial robot (LAAR) that can be used in very steep vineyards where other mechanization fails. In mariculture, scenarios include coordinated aerial and subsurface monitoring of fish net pens using the LAAR, an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV), and a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). All robotic components communicate and coordinate their actions through the Robot Operating System (ROS). Field tests demonstrate the great capabilities of the HEKTOR system for the fully autonomous execution of very strenuous and hazardous work in viticulture and mariculture, while meeting the necessary conditions for the required quality and quantity of the work performed.
Since changes in temperature and precipitation have different effects on (a) all developmental stages of grapevines in most of the wine regions worldwide (i.e., on their phenological characteristics) ...and (b) different varieties, a comprehensive database of bioclimatic indices has been calculated and analysed for Croatian wine producing regions. The database consists of the average growing season temperature, growing degree‐days, Huglin index, dryness index and cool night index that are based on all available meteorological measurements as well as the outputs of regional climate models (RCMs) from the EURO‐CORDEX database. The horizontal grid spacing of 0.11° from the RCM ensembles enabled a fine‐scale determination of bioclimatic indices for the present and future climate in Croatia. In addition, statistical analyses (standard statistical parameters and Bayesian method) were carried out to examine trends in sugar content, total acidity and date of harvest. Calculations were performed for the present and future climate on the basis of data from seven selected vineyards/wineries and four varieties (‘Graševina’, ‘Plavac mali’, ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Merlot’). The results show whether the part of Croatia that is suitable for grape cultivation in the present climate will continue to be favourable in the future within the Mediterranean area. In general, projections suggest further warming and drying of the climate in Croatia and an earlier harvest, with some variations among varieties that show latitude dependence. Projections for the future climate also suggest that the existing viticultural zoning will be much less adequate for the Croatian territory because it reduces the economically sustainable production of wine in certain areas.
Spatial distributions of temperature‐based bioclimatic indices (e.g., growing degree‐days GDD) for high‐end climate change scenarios are pointing to further warming in the period 2041–2070. Differences between the two periods P2 (2041–2070) and P0 (1971–2000) clearly show that some indices in certain regions will likely cross into higher (warmer) classes within the index scale. All grape varieties examined indicated an increase in the number of earlier harvests and a reduction in the number of later harvests, regardless of location.
•Microclimatic measurements can explain the specific conditions under which grapes ripen•Cooler climatic conditions during grape ripening improved leaf removal efficiency•Vintage and modifications of ...the canopy microclimate affected the content of important phenols•Control berries experienced higher resveratrol content in a season with more rainfall
Leaf removal in the cluster zone is one of the commonly applied viticultural practices used to increase light penetration and to decrease humidity in dense foliage. A two- year study (2018/2019) was carried out on the Merlot variety grown in the vineyard on the Croatian hillside with continental climatic conditions, to study the effects of basal leaf removal on canopy microclimate, grape chemical composition and vine production. Leaf and lateral shoot removal was performed at berry set. Meteorological data were recorded together with microclimatic measurements: air temperature, UV radiation and relative humidity in the fruiting zone. Leaf removal altered microclimate by increasing the UV radiation within the cluster zone. Sugar concentration, bud fruitfulness and yield performance was not affect by the treatment, while leaf removal significantly reduced the concentration of titratable acidity in berry samples and increased the concentration of phenols, anthocyanins, flavonols and flavan-3-ols in berry skin. Leaf removal had a higher influence on the grape anthocyanin and flavonol composition in a season with the cooler berry ripening conditions. These results revealed important difference in leaf removal efficiency on phenolic composition of the grapes in different seasonal climatic conditions during ripening.
Grapevine leaves are photosynthetically the most active green organs providing carbohydrates that are of utmost importance for the regular vine’s metabolism and growth. Moreover, leaves are the ...pioneers of fungal infections caused by B. cinerea, E. necator, and P. viticola. Plant response to these microorganisms mostly depends on the content and composition of phenolic compounds abundantly found in the leaf’s outer tissues (epidermis, cuticle, trichomes). In order to obtain a satisfactory quantity of phenolic compounds, an experiment was conducted towards optimizing a solid–liquid extraction method. Variables were as follows: the type of organic solvent, the sample weight, the extraction temperature, and the extraction time. The optimal conditions were obtained by applying the response surface methodology. Therefore, by using acetonitrile as the organic solvent, conducting a single-step extraction at the temperature of 48 °C during the time period of 2 h and 25 min with a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:56 g mL−1 (178 mg of leaves powder and 10 mL of extraction solvent) the optimal content of phenolic compounds was obtained. This protocol is reliable, fast, and relatively easy to perform for the determination of the abovementioned compounds.
During the ripening process of grapes, the grapevine leaves are the most active green organs that are important for photosynthesis, which is closely linked to the development and metabolism of the ...plant. The detection of plant pigments and phenolic compounds in grapevine leaves can be a good indicator of the ageing process, vine vigor and the plant's ability to respond to fungal attack. In a one-year study, the development of leaf chlorophylls, carotenoids and phenolic compounds during the ripening of six indigenous Croatian grape cultivars and the international cultivars Merlot and Chardonnay was investigated. The chlorophyll a/b ratio and total chlorophyll and total carotenoid concentrations were also investigated. PCA was used to highlight relevant information from the data with the aim of distinguishing individual compounds based on the cultivar and phenological stage. The leaf total hydroxycinnamic acid and flavan-3-ol concentrations decreased slowly during grape development, with the highest concentration immediately after flowering and the lowest during grape ripening. The concentrations of β-carotene, lutein and xanthophylls tended to decrease during bunch closure or veraison, while the concentration of chlorophylls a and b peaked during veraison and then decreased during grape ripening. This research will provide an opportunity to select cultivars with the physiological adaptation to synthesize secondary metabolites that are important for managing stress conditions.
The practical application of grape quality zoning and selective harvesting in small vineyards (<1 ha) has not yet gained much importance worldwide. However, winegrowers with small vineyards are ...looking for ways to improve wine quality and maximise profit. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the most predictive vegetation index for grape quality zoning among three vegetation indices—NDVI, NDRE, and OSAVI—at three grapevine growth stages for the efficient use in small vineyards for the selective harvesting and production of different wine types from the same vineyard. Multispectral images were used to delineate two vigour zones at three different growth stages. The target vines were sampled, and the most predictive vegetation index was determined by overlapping the quality and vigour structures for each site and year. A differential economic analysis was performed, considering only the costs and revenues associated with grape quality zoning. The results show that OSAVI is the least predictive, while NDVI and NDRE are useful for grape quality zoning and selective harvesting. Multi-year monitoring is required to determine the ideal growth stage for image acquisition. The use of grape quality zoning and selective harvesting can be economically efficient for small wineries producing two different “super-premium” wines from the same vineyard.
Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites and important organic compounds present in grapes, must and wine. The importance of polyphenolic compounds present in grapes is mainly related to the ...quality of the wine. Those compounds affect the colour, taste, astringency, bitterness, and potential of wine aging. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine and compare quantitative and qualitative changes in low molecular weight polyphenol content of 11 red grapevine varieties during ripening. Samples were collected periodically from the beginning of verasion to the technological maturity. The polyphenolic compounds were analysed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with prior lyophilization and extraction. Based on the obtained results, changes in the composition and content of researched groups of polyphenolic compounds during maturation were determined. Keywords: grape berry, red grapevine varieties, polyphenolic compounds, liquid chromatography Polifenoli su sekundarni biljni metaboliti te vazni organski spojevi prisutni u grozdu, mostu i vinu. Vaznost polifenolnih spojeva prisutnih u grozdu uglavnom je vezana uz kakvocu vina obzirom da utjecu na boju, okus, astringenciju, gorcinu te potencijal starenja vina. Cilj ovog rada je utvrditi i usporediti kvantitativne i kvalitativne promjene sadrzaja polifenola male molekulske mase u kozici grozda 11 crnih sorata vinove loze tijekom dozrijevanja grozda. Uzorci su prikupljani periodicno od pocetka sare do tehnoloske zrelosti. Sadrzaj polifenola u kozici boba utvrden je tekucinskom kromatografijom visoke djelotvornosti (HPLC) uz prethodnu liofilizaciju i ekstrakciju. Temeljem dobivenih rezultata utvrdene su promjene sastava i sadrzaja pojedinih grupa polifenolnih spojeva tijekom dozrijevanja. Kljucne rijeci: boba grozda, crne sorte, polifenolni spojevi, tekucinska kromatografija Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites and important organic compounds present in grapes, must and wine. The importance of polyphenolic compounds in grapes is mainly related to the quality of the wine. Those compounds affect the colour, taste, astringency, bitterness, and potential of wine aging. Recently, due to numerous research of the polyphenolic composition of grapes, their nutritional value as well as many positive effects on human health have been recognized. Their beneficial effect on the organism derives from antioxidant capabilities, chelating activity, and inactivation of certain enzymes that are attributed to antitumor, antimicrobial, antiallergic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and many other properties. A large group of polyphenolic compounds such as phenolic acids (hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acid), flavonoid stilbenes (anthocyanins, flavonols and flavan-3-ols) have been found in grape berry. The largest proportion of polyphenolic compounds in grape berries is contained in the seeds, then skin and pulp. Phenolic compounds are particularly important in red grape wine production technology, because they greatly affect the colour and the characteristic taste of wine. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the changes that occur in the polyphenol profile (hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols) of 11 red grape varieties during ripening. The research was set up in a vineyard at the location of experimental station Jazbina, viticultural region Sredisnja bregovita Hrvatska, subregion Prigorje - Bilogora and vineyard area Zagreb. Samples were collected periodically, from the beginning of the verasion to technological maturity. They were adequately stored, lyophilized, and subjected to extraction. The obtained extracts were analysed with high performance liquid chromatography. Based on the obtained results, anthocyanins are the most common polyphenol compounds in the skin of the investigated varieties, followed by flavanol glycosides, flavanol-3-ols and hydroxymethyl acids. The mass fraction of anthocyanin and flavonol glycosides in berry skin increases from the beginning of the verasion to the technological maturity, while the mass fraction of flavan-3-ols, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonol glycosides decreases by technological maturity.
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the application of mycorrhizal fungal inoculum on “Cabernet Sauvignon” (Vitis vinifera L.) leaf gas exchange, yield parameters, as well as grape ...berry composition, especially regarding phenolic compounds. The experiment was conducted over two years under natural vineyard conditions of the Zagreb wine-growing area, the continental region of Croatia. “Cabernet Sauvignon” grapevines were grafted on SO4 rootstock, both being commonly used in all wine production areas in Croatia. Results obtained demonstrated that symbiotic grapevines, in general, expressed improved leaf gas exchange parameters and higher yield parameters, especially regarding the number of clusters per vine. It should be emphasized that mycorrhizal fungi affected higher total flavan-3-ols, total anthocyanins, and total polyphenols in berry skin in both experimental years. Despite variation in some yield parameters, generally, it is possible to obtain higher yields together with the improved phenolic composition of grapes.
The aim of this work was to determine the effect of different drying treatments: freeze-drying, room-drying, and oven-drying on the grape phenolic composition of the 'Regent' and 'Cabernet Sauvignon' ...varieties. After drying, the samples were grounded, submerged to ultrasound-assisted extraction, and analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This study demonstrated that the use of different drying methods significantly affects the content of polyphenols in grape skins extracts. The greatest content of anthocyanins-diglucoside was preserved using freeze-drying, i.e. 15706.86 mg/kg for 'Regent', while the content of anthocyanins-monoglucoside was best preserved by room-drying, i.e. 216778.68 and 9220.30 mg/kg for 'Regent' and 'Cabernet Sauvignon', respectively. The highest content of flavonol glycosides (2583.04 and 1429.64 mg/kg for 'Regent' and 'Cabernet Sauvignon', respectively), hydroxycinnamic acids (1303.31 and 544.88 mg/kg for 'Regent' and 'Cabernet Sauvignon', respectively), and stilbene (2321.52 and 79.36 mg/kg for 'Regent' and 'Cabernet Sauvignon', respectively) was observed in the oven-dried samples. By applying freeze-drying the most optimal content of flavan-3-ol was preserved. Contents of polyphenolic compounds in oven-dried samples after 6 months of storage were almost identical to those in the samples analyzed immediately after drying. The greatest rate of degradation was observed in the room-dried samples while it was moderate in the freeze-dried ones. The results of this experiment demonstrate that it is necessary to dry samples in different ways to obtain the highest content of a certain polyphenolic group of compounds. The application of a drying method is determined by the goal of the final dried product in terms of content and composition of different polyphenolic compounds; thus, the obtained results could have an application in scientific research and for commercial purposes as well.
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