Effect of early leaf removal on Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.) under thermal excess and drought conditions

The early defoliation of the fruiting area is a technique that offers considerable advantages both in relation to the quality of grapes and to pest control; on the other hand, when a very warm summer occurs, the risk of grape sunburn may increase. This paper reports the results of a pre-flowering defoliation trial carried out in the province of Arezzo (Italy) in 2017, an exceptionally hot and dry year. The results confirmed the validity of this technique in limiting yield while achieving a concurrent higher concentration of phenolic compounds without increasing the risk of burns and radiative damages of grapes

Interactive effects of biostimulants and water stress on potted Pinot noir grapevines

Seaweeds extracts (SWE) are innovative and non-polluting tools that have become popular as biostimulants. Their effects on Pinot noir water potential, gas exchanges and fruit quality under drought stress and full irrigation were evaluated during the 2017 growing season. Differential irrigations were applied and Pinot Noir grapevines have been sprayed two times at label doses (3 g/L) during the vegetative growth, with the Ascophyllum nodosum exract, starting from veraison. During the season, measurements of single leaf gas exchange and stem water potential were made; moreover parameters of technological maturity (°Brix, acidity, pH) and phenological one were analyzed. The inhibition of gas exchange and increase of stomatal limitation induced by drought stress were not reduced by SWE where A.nodosum had positive effects on midday stem water potential. Under full irrigation SWE increased leaf gas exchange. No particular effect was observed on the technological parameters after the treatment. The application of the seaweed extract improved polyphenols accumulation in stressed theses, increasing wine grapes quality. A.nodosum can be useful to reduce negative effects of abiotic stress such lack of water and to improve polyphenols content in grapes, especially in genotypes with a limited phenolic profile like Pinot Noir variety

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)

Enhancement of the Tuscan grapevine germplasm: Nocchianello Bianco and Nocchianello Nero cultivars

As part of a decades-long project to safeguard the viticultural biodiversity in the wine-growing district of Pitigliano (Tuscany, Italy), the research activity carried out made it possible to rediscover two valuable autochthonous grapevine varieties, otherwise doomed to extinction: Nocchianello Bianco (whiteberried) and Nocchianello Nero (black-berried). Both the cultivars were thoroughly characterized at the genetic, phenological, and ampelographic levels, as well as the yield and grape quality were evaluated. Thanks to the results obtained, Nocchianello Bianco and Nocchianello Nero were officially reintroduced in the local and regional winemaking scenario, following the registration in the Italian Catalogue of Grapevine Varieties and the addition to the list of grapevine varieties suitable for cultivation in Tuscany

Scale effect of viticultural zoning under three contrasting vintages in Chianti Classico area (Tuscany, Italy)

The present study, performed in one of the largest farm of “Chianti Classico” wine district (Tuscany, Italy), focused on the effect of terroir on the peculiarities of the wine at two different scale of zoning. At a broader scale, the experimental vineyards were selected on the basis of lithology, soil type, morphology and climate and these were called macro-terroir (MT). Each vineyard was subdivided into a couple of homogeneous zones (Unité Terroir de Base, UTB), differentiated on the basis of soil proximal sensing, and then, high-detailed soil mapping. The study was conducted during three consecutive vintages (2012, '13 and '14), on four different vineyards MT, which are representative of the Chianti Classico wine district. Grape harvest, wine-making and six-month ageing were carried out separately for each UTB, using the same methodology. This study demonstrates that characteristics of geopedological landscapes can be used for a wine district zoning, while a more detailed soil mapping, leading to UTB identification, is needed to highlight some wine peculiarities

Scale effect of terroir under three contrasting vintages in the Chianti Classico area (Tuscany, Italy)

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Effect of early leaf removal on Sangiovese (

The early defoliation of the fruiting area is a technique that offers considerable advantages both in relation to the quality of grapes and to pest control; on the other hand, when a very warm summer occurs, the risk of grape sunburn may increase. This paper reports the results of a pre-flowering defoliation trial carried out in the province of Arezzo (Italy) in 2017, an exceptionally hot and dry year. The results confirmed the validity of this technique in limiting yield while achieving a concurrent higher concentration of phenolic compounds without increasing the risk of burns and radiative damages of grapes

Effect of treatment with products based on

The research work carried out aimed at verifying the efficacy of Trichoderma-based products on the fertility maintenance in vineyard soils, in case of replanting. The presence of a hypofertile horizon, in fact, can cause problems in the engrafting of rooted cuttings and a slowing down in their vegetative development. The trial was carried out at the experimental farm of CREA − Research Center for Viticulture and Enology of Arezzo, during the setting up of a new Sangiovese vineyard. Rooted grafts treated with three different formulations containing some Trichoderma spp. strains were planted, considering an untreated negative control. In addition, treatments with the same formulations were repeated in the 2014-2016 three-year period, by spraying the soil, with an injector pole. Every year the shoot length and the pruning wood weight were evaluated, as well as the presence/absence of Trichoderma spp. on the root systems. Moreover, in 2016 the photosynthetic efficiency of the vines was verified. The presence of Trichoderma spp. within the rhizosphere of the vines treated was stable over time; the differences found between treated and untreated thesis were considerable, while only minor differences emerged among the plants subjected to the three different treatments. According to the results obtained, the application of Trichoderma-based products can be considered a valid practice to be used during vineyard implantation in case of difficult edaphic conditions

Interactive effects of biostimulants and water stress on potted Pinot noir grapevines

Seaweeds extracts (SWE) are innovative and non-polluting tools that have become popular as biostimulants. Their effects on Pinot noir water potential, gas exchanges and fruit quality under drought stress and full irrigation were evaluated during the 2017 growing season. Differential irrigations were applied and Pinot Noir grapevines have been sprayed two times at label doses (3 g/L) during the vegetative growth, with the Ascophyllum nodosum exract, starting from veraison. During the season, measurements of single leaf gas exchange and stem water potential were made; moreover parameters of technological maturity (°Brix, acidity, pH) and phenological one were analyzed. The inhibition of gas exchange and increase of stomatal limitation induced by drought stress were not reduced by SWE where A.nodosum had positive effects on midday stem water potential. Under full irrigation SWE increased leaf gas exchange. No particular effect was observed on the technological parameters after the treatment. The application of the seaweed extract improved polyphenols accumulation in stressed theses, increasing wine grapes quality. A.nodosum can be useful to reduce negative effects of abiotic stress such lack of water and to improve polyphenols content in grapes, especially in genotypes with a limited phenolic profile like Pinot Noir variety