Effects and Modes od Action of Canopy Management Practices on Vine Physiology and Berry Composition in Organically-Cultivated cv. Sangiovese (Vitis Vinifera L.)

In organic and biodynamic vineyards, canopy management practices should be carefully and timely modulated, particularly in a context of climate change, for successfully achieving balanced plants, ventilated and exposed berries, elevated grape and wine quality. In 2013 and 2014, characterized by contrasting climatic conditions, the implications of post-veraison (late) or pea-size trimming, post-veraison or pre-harvest late defoliations and shoot-positioning (post-veraison) were assessed against long-shoots non treated controls, under field conditions on organically-cultivated cv. Sangiovese. The key agronomic and enological relevance of late trimming and defoliations clearly emerged in both seasons. Berry skin phenolics (e.g. anthocyanins, flavonols) increased markedly, without changes in technological parameters. In case of early trimming, such positive effects were observed only in 2013. Maintaining long shoots for shading decreased anthocyanins, flavonols and total phenolics concentrations and promoted the production of compact bunches. Experimental data strongly designated late trimming, a practice proved to contain yield and bunch compactness, as a valuable alternative to cluster thinning. Late trimming, defoliations and shoot positioning reduced the severity of Botrytis cluster rot. The highest levels of berry skins phenolic compounds in late trimmed and defoliated plants could have contributed control the severity of this pathogen. The enological benefits induced by late trimming and defoliations and shoot positioning emerged in both young and aged wines. For the first time, cell cultures from cv. Sangiovese berry tissues were obtained and enabled to investigate, in controlled conditions, the relations between mechanisms regulating secondary metabolism in grapevine cells and changes induced by environmental and agronomic factors. The Doctoral Dissertation strongly highlights the need to consider, for a proper interpretation of the multiple modifications induced by canopy management strategies, physiological mechanisms other than the canonic source-sink relationships, in particular their impact on the vine hormonal status

Modular sito-specific grassing as an agroecological strategy in viticultural systems

Currently, agriculture is strongly dependent on the availability of fossil fuels, other external inputs and natural resources contributing about one fifth to the global emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. There are, however, ample opportunities to mitigate the impact of agricultural activities on the climate. By appropriate soil management, organic and biodynamic woody systems can become quantitatively important sites for the provision of ecosystem services (protection of water, soil, biodiversity and landscape, carbon sequestration and efficient use of water resources), able to actively counteract climate change. The agroecological system developed proposed by the "AgroEcology Participatory Research Group\u201d (University of Bologna), introduce, among the innovative and highly sustainable techniques of soil management, the "stripped" biodiverse grassing, already successfully adopted in Italy and abroad. The system consists in the cultivation, along the row, of legumes and grasses with low water requirements, some of which are self-reseeding (eg. subterranean clover, burclover) and of a mixture of herbaceous species (eg. French honeysuckle, field beans, barley) in the alley. Noteworthy, the inclusion of these species, particularly of self-reseeding legumes, does not imply additional water consumption during the summer period. The soil protection provided by herbaceous species after cutting (or rolling) in the alleys and by self-reseeding legumes in the row, reduce soil evaporation and organic matter oxidation phenomena. Field trials conducted in different Italian farms have demonstrated the multiple benefits of the modular sito-specific grassing enhancing carbon sequestration, biodiversity, resilience and productivity of the viticultural systems

Effetti della cimatura in post-invaiatura in un vigneto biologico (Vitis vinifera L., cv Sangiovese)

La cimatura \ue8 una tecnica comunemente adottata, le cui conseguenze dipendono da intensit\ue0 ed epoca di imposizione. Tuttavia, alcuni viticoltori biologici e biodinamici preferiscono non cimare, soprattutto in annate calde, lasciando germogli lunghi in grado di creare un ombrello protettivo per i grappoli (accucciatura). In altri casi, si preferisce adottare l\u2019accapannatura, che prevede il mantenimento dell\u2019apice vegetativo e l\u2019affasciatura, sull\u2019ultimo filo di contenimento della parete vegetativa, delle porzioni distali dei germogli. La ricerca ha confrontato, per la prima volta, piante sottoposte a cimatura tardiva con controlli non cimati. L\u2019esperimento \ue8 stato condotto nel biennio 2013-2014 a Tebano (Faenza, RA), in un vigneto biologico della cv Sangiovese, innestata su Kober 5BB ed allevata a cordone speronato, gestito senza apporto di fertilizzanti e acqua irrigua. Sono stati confrontati 3 trattamenti: controllo, germogli lunghi (24 nodi); cimatura in post-allegagione al 18\ub0 nodo; cimatura tardiva, in post invaiatura (15 Brix) al 14\ub0 nodo. In entrambe le annate, caratterizzate da condizioni climatiche contrastanti, la cimatura tardiva ha determinato un incremento della concentrazione di antociani e polifenoli totali nella buccia, senza alterare i parametri tecnologici, ha consentito di contenere la produttivit\ue0 per pianta, ottenere grappoli pi\uf9 spargoli e limitare la severit\ue0 della Botrytis. La cimatura in post-allegagione ha indotto un aumento della concentrazione di antociani e polifenoli solo nel 2013 ed ha prodotto grappoli con un maggiore livello di compattezza e decolorazione rispetto a quelli delle piante cimate in post-invaiatura. La cimatura tardiva \ue8 risultata una pratica efficace nel migliorare il contenuto di antociani e polifenoli della buccia, senza alterare i parametri tecnologici, indipendentemente dal decorso meteorologico. Gli effetti riscontrati non appaiono strettamente ancorati ai cambiamenti indotti dalla cimatura sui rapporti source-sink

Physiological and Enological Implications of Postveraison Trimming in an Organically-Managed Vineyard (cv. Sangiovese)

For the first time, grapevines subjected to a single-post-veraison trimming, were compared with never trimmed controls, to assess its effects on vine physiology, as well as grape and wine quality. In 2013 and 2014, post-veraison late trimming (LT), performed at 15 Brix, was compared with an untrimmed control (CK) and early (pea-size) trimming (ET). Late trimming increased the total berry skin anthocyanin and phenolic concentration without modifying the berry soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity; it also reduced malic acid levels at harvest, reduced yield, loosened bunches and limited the severity of botrytis bunch rot. Improved berry color and decreased malic acid levels were observed in ET vines only in 2013. Bunches from ET vines showed higher compactness and discoloration compared with those of LT vines. Trimming did not modify the main chemical characteristics of the wine, such as alcohol strength, dry matter, pH, and total and volatile acidity. However, in both years, a notable increase in the color components and tannins was found in LT wines, with the formation of more stable components able to enhance wine quality, whereas ET had less impact on wine color characteristics. The enological benefits induced by late trimming appeared more markedly following wine storage. Late trimming was an efficacious practice for improving the phytosanitary status of bunches and berry color, without modifying technological parameters, and for enhancing wine quality in different climatic conditions

Glyphosate impacts on polyphenolic composition in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) berries and wine

Glyphosate is the most widespread herbicide for weed management, being extensively used in viticulture. In this study we tested, under field conditions, the effects of glyphosate applications on the quality of berry and wine, from cv. Ancellotta (Vitis vinifera L.), with particular regard to anthocyanin concentration and composition. Ripening and growth were monitored by analyzing berry technological parameters and weight. Additionally, microvinifications were performed, in order to analyze the concentration of anthocyanins, other flavonoids and phenolic acids in wine. Our findings indicated that, at harvest, both pH and anthocyanin concentration were significantly lower and titratable acidity higher in berries collected from vines of plots under glyphosate-treatment compared with those of non-treated parcels. Data suggest that treatment with glyphosate did not change the concentration of anthocyanins, other flavonoids and phenolic acids in the wine. Our results indicate that treatment with glyphosate may affect fruit metabolism and nutritional value in non-target plants

Influence of canopy-applied chitosan on the composition of organic cv. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon berries and wines

The effects of canopy-applied chitosan on grapes and derived wine were evaluated in an organically managed mature vineyard. The experiment was performed on Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon red grape cultivars, the application of a chitosan solution was compared to water spraying. Each treatment was applied 3 times (beginning and end of veraison, and pre-harvest) in a randomized block experimental design. Significant differences in (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin and procyanidin B2 amounts in berries and wines were detected in Cabernet Sauvignon but not in Sangiovese. Chitosan did not influence the berry skin anthocyanin and flavonol amount or t-resveratrol concentration in both skins and wines. A considerable increase in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), together with some other amino acids, ammonium and amines was observed in the berry flesh of cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. The increase in phenolic acids and nitrogenous compounds, especially GABA, in the pulp of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes suggests changes in stress response

Postveraison Shoot Trimming Reduces Cluster Compactness without Compromising Fruit Quality Attributes in Organically Grown Sangiovese Grapevines

Vine performance following preveraison shoot trimming is well documented, but the consequences of this treatment later in the season are poorly understood. Here, a four-year study was conducted in a mature vineyard of Sangiovese (clone 12T) grafted onto Kober 5BB rootstock at a spacing of 1 m x 2.8 m (intra-and interrow) to analyze the influence of postveraison shoot trimming on vine growth characteristics, cluster architecture (cluster compactness), and yield from a physiological viewpoint. The treatments consisted of shoot trimming during postveraison in a randomized block design with eight replications (six vines each). Three treatments were imposed when soluble solids reached 15 Brix in August (40 to 45 days before expected harvest): light trimming (14 nodes), severe trimming (10 nodes), and an untrimmed control. Following the treatments, vine growth characteristics, cluster morphology, and fruit quality attributes were measured. Postveraison shoot trimming (especially severe trimming) reduced cluster weight, cluster compactness, productivity, and total yield. Effects on fruit quality included lowering of Brix and pH, with minor effects on titratable acidity, yeast assimilable nitrogen, the anthocyanin profile, and total anthocyanins. These results demonstrated that postveraison shoot trimming can be a valuable production practice by reducing cluster compactness without compromising overall fruit quality in Sangiovese

Effects of late defoliations on chemical and sensory characteristics of cv. Uva Longanesi Wines

In this study we investigated the effects of late leaf removal on the berry and wine composition and on wine sensory characteristics of Uva Longanesi, a late maturing red Italian grape variety, which wines are characterized by high levels of alcohol and excessive astringency, the latter apparently intensified by late defoliation practices. During 2008 season, spur-pruned trained vines were submitted to manual defoliation (4 basal leaves) at the onset (DEF I, 210 DOY) or at the end (DEF II, 231 DOY) of veraison and compared with non-defoliated plants (CON). On every DEF II vine, since defoliation until harvest, a cluster was shaded (DEF II + shading). A decrease of the berry soluble solids and skin anthocyanins was found in DEF I vines. Defoliation modified composition and sensory characteristics of wine with DEF II having higher alcohol strength and astringency compared to DEF I, whereas CON wines displayed intermediate values. The practice and timing of partial late defoliation greatly affected the chemical and sensory attributes of win

Copromicroscopic and molecular investigations on intestinal parasites in kenneled dogs

Intestinal parasites are common in dogs worldwide, and their importance has recently increased for a renewed awareness on the public health relevance that some of them have. In this study, the prevalence of helminths and protozoa was evaluated by microscopy in 318 canine faecal samples collected from eight rescue shelters in the North-eastern Italy; 285 of them were also submitted to the molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. isolates. An analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence rates in relation to canine individual data, shelter provenance and anthelmintic treatments. Overall, 52.5 % (167/318) of faecal samples were positive for at least one parasite. Trichuris vulpis showed the highest overall prevalence rate (29.2 %), followed by G. duodenalis (15.1 %), Toxocara canis (9.7 %), ancylostomatids (8.2 %) and Cystoisospora (5.7 %). The prevalence of G. duodenalis, evaluated by real-time PCR, was 57.9 % (165/285), and 79 isolates were characterized by nested PCR on the beta-giardin gene. The assemblages found were mainly the host-specific genotypes C and D, while only one assemblage was identified as the human-specific genotype B1. Isolates of Cryptosporidium spp., recorded in 3/285 (1.1 %) stool samples, were Cryptosporidium parvum based on the characterization of the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) gene. Although the results describe a relatively limited risk of dog-originating zoonoses, there is the need to improve the quality of shelter practices towards better health managements for safe pet-adoption campaigns and a minimization of the environmental faecal pollution with canine intestinal parasites

Evidence of Dirofilaria immitis in Felids in North-Eastern Italy

Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne nematode, causing heartworm (HW) disease in wild and domestic canids. HW can also affect felids with different clinical patterns from asymptomatic pictures to sudden death, making the monitoring and diagnosis complicated. Canine HW is endemic in North-eastern Italy; however, very little information has been recorded for felids. This study aims to provide new information on HW in felids in North-eastern Italy. Two hundred and six domestic cats from Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto-Adige regions (North-eastern Italy), nine captive felids from zoological parks from Veneto, and nineteen European wildcats from Friuli Venezia Giulia were recruited. Sera/plasma was analysed for the detection of anti-HW antibodies (Ab) and HW antigens (Ag); positive blood samples were molecularly analysed, targeting the HW DNA (5S-rRNA gene). Twelve out of two hundred and six (5.8%) cats presented with Ab, and three out of two hundred and six (1.5%) presented with Ag, mainly those from the Veneto region, already known as a canine HW-endemic area. Among Ab-positive cats, two were from Belluno, a mountain province previously considered free, suggesting the expansion of HW into the northern areas. No cats were positive for both Ab and Ag. Three out of nineteen (15.8%) wildcats were Ag-positive, constituting the first HW report in Italy. No captive felids were positive. Dirofilaria immitis DNA was not amplified in positive samples, suggesting the low sensitivity of PCR on blood. This study provides new data on the occurrence of HW in domestic cats and wildcats in North-eastern Italy