THE SOFTWARE FOR AN ‘UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE DATABASE’

A software for an “universal grapevine database” has been developed to support the activity of characterization of grapevine biodiversity. This database allows a decentralized data management: the registered users have the possibility to submit and to manage his own data at any time. The uploaded data have three different levels of visualisation: private level (the data are visible only to his submitter), middle level (the data are visible to all other submitters), public level (the data are visible to all public users). Only the data approved by a specific scientific committee can be elevated to public level. When a submitter introduces the microsatellite data in the database the application allows a specific standardization procedure based on some specific selected accessions called ‘system accessions’. The main classes of data represented in the database are the ‘grapevine variety’, the ‘ampelographic-ampelometric and phenological-productive descriptors’ (as reported in the second edition of the OIV descriptor list for grape varieties and Vitis species), the ‘microsatellite profile’, the polyphenols and aroma profiles. Several search options have been implemented: a search by variety and other general parameter, a search by ampelographic and ampelometric parameters, a search by microsatellite profile. About microsatellite profile it is also possible a search by range and by a particular standardization procedure. The application has been implemented using the most recent database software and languages, so it is flexible and dynamics especially as concern the addition of other classes of data, like new type of descriptors and molecular markers. The application is on the web at http://www.vitisdb.it and at present it is adopted for the ‘Italian Vitis Database’ managed by the “Vitis Database Working Group”

Competitiveness of the wine sector: considerations on future scenarios

For a critical assessment of the issues relating to the future viticulture nursery system in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses is essential to examine the relationship between factors of the supply chain and the extrinsic factors able of modulating the interactions between the whole wine system. The uncertainty of the evolution over time of the forecasts suggests examining these aspects for hypothetical scenarios which involves the following interfaces: Consumer (market)/ Producer, Grower/Nursery, Research/Nursery/Grower/Consumer. Other aspects might modulate the above relations: social ethics, energy cost, globalization, economic situation, climate change, Pathogens emergencies. It is clear that a fundamental part of research will be carried out to clarify whether GMOs can pose risks to health or the environment. On this basis a possible clarification it might also change the current hostile attitude of some countries or part of the population. The strategy choice to cultivate or not genetically modified vines could also result in disruption in the spread of viticulture in different countries, but this could not occur before ten years. Moreover another field of research is the intensification of the studies to understand the mechanisms that regulate the plants functioning and the role of symbiotic microorganisms which could facilitate the cultivation and the development of environmentally friendly techniques (biodynamic method?). Beneficial microorganisms, genetically modified or not, will be useful for finding biotechnological solutions, especially to control biotic and abiotic stress and for a biofertilization in balance with the aimed productions. In presence of a high critical situation of funding we need to wisely manage the ethical aspects of research and ensure adequate and rational fund investment. It would be desirable for local projects carry out a “Shared Research”, involving the various components of the “Wine chain”

THE SOFTWARE FOR AN ‘UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE DATABASE’

A software for an “universal grapevine database” has been developed to support the activity of characterization of grapevine biodiversity. This database allows a decentralized data management: the registered users have the possibility to submit and to manage his own data at any time. The uploaded data have three different levels of visualisation: private level (the data are visible only to his submitter), middle level (the data are visible to all other submitters), public level (the data are visible to all public users). Only the data approved by a specific scientific committee can be elevated to public level. When a submitter introduces the microsatellite data in the database the application allows a specific standardization procedure based on some specific selected accessions called ‘system accessions’. The main classes of data represented in the database are the ‘grapevine variety’, the ‘ampelographic-ampelometric and phenological-productive descriptors’ (as reported in the second edition of the OIV descriptor list for grape varieties and Vitis species), the ‘microsatellite profile’, the polyphenols and aroma profiles. Several search options have been implemented: a search by variety and other general parameter, a search by ampelographic and ampelometric parameters, a search by microsatellite profile. About microsatellite profile it is also possible a search by range and by a particular standardization procedure. The application has been implemented using the most recent database software and languages, so it is flexible and dynamics especially as concern the addition of other classes of data, like new type of descriptors and molecular markers. The application is on the web at http://www.vitisdb.it and at present it is adopted for the ‘Italian Vitis Database’ managed by the “Vitis Database Working Group”

Research on Planting Density of "Sangiovese" and "Cabernet Sauvignon" Varieties

This research was undertaken to improve knowledge of ‘Sangiovese’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ production behaviour at different planting densities in a vineyard trained to horizontal spur cordon and located on Tuscan coastal area. The trial was conducted during a four year period (1997-2000) in a vineyard set up in 1994, comparing four planting distances (2.8 x 1.2; 2.0 x 1.5; 2.5 x 1.0; 2.0 x 0.75) at a density ranging from a minimum of 2976 to a maximum of 6667 vines/ha. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ was more vigorous, produced smaller clusters, had higher bud fertility, a lower yield and Ravaz index than ‘Sangiovese’. The must of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ had less titratable acidity and higher pH and total soluble solids content than ‘Sangiovese’. In general yield and production of wood per square meter were positively related to the increase in planting density, while pruning wood per linear meter showed an opposite trend. In ‘Sangiovese’ both inter-row and along the row spacing had a marked influence on yield and vegetative performance while in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ the effect of the spacing along the row seems to be prevailing. The results of this research indicate that in the Tuscan coastal area, planting density had no significant influence on grape quality in both cultivars

Agresto: A natural product from unripe grape

The interest aroused by consumers stimulated the development of an experimental project to produce a seasoning named “Agresto” in the specific area of Amiata Mountain with the aim of affirming the territorial specificities of a natural product derived from unripe grapes obtained from local grapevine varieties to enhance their use in gastronomy. With this project, we intended to adopt several strategies in the vineyard and in processing in order to obtain a final product from grapes cultivated by “organic farming” having sensory characteristics suitable for various types of dish combinations. For this purpose were chosen local varieties grown in the ampelographic collection located in Cinigiano (Gr) and the hybrid ‘Isabella’ from which were obtained three experimental Agresto. In several years (from 2010 to 2014) was also produced from ‘Sangiovese’ the “Traditional Agresto” according to an ancient recipe. Tue variety ‘Isabella’ is grown sporadically without pesticide treatments while the other varieties were cultivated according to the organic farming method. Moreover the Agresto is produced without alcoholic fermentation, so as the final product is free from methyl alcohol. Tue goal is to get to the production of a unique and genuine seasoning through natural methods and without preservatives. Tue main composition of different Agresto produced was determined as well as antioxidant activity and microbial analysis. Interesting sensory profiles were obtained using a parametric sheet specially adapted to this type of product. Tue traditional Agresto currently marketed in very modest amounts remains a niche product particularly required by Tuscany kitchen. It is believed that its use will expand providing more opportunities for the productive sector

Evaluation of the effect of esca disease on bud break in Vitis vinifera L.: possible relationship between cultivars and rootstocks

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of esca disease on bud break of grapevine in relation to different rootstock combinations. For this purpose under field conditions observations of flower bud phenological stages were carried out on three widespread grapevine cultivars 'Cabernet Sauvignon', 'Sangiovese' and 'Trebbiano toscano'. Further phenological observations were recorded under forcing conditions using 'Cabernet Sauvignon' as the most susceptible to esca disease. Each cultivar was grafted on K5BB, 1103P and own rooted. The plants were infected by esca due to the natural presence of fungi in the vineyard. Results showed that esca disease significantly delayed bud break of symptomatic vines for several years. Grapevines on different rootstocks showed different bud break changes, in particular those on K5BB were the most susceptible to esca

Grapevine performances in five area of Chianti Classico

The research was carried out in the ‘Chianti Classico’ area and it was part of the ‘Chianti Classico 2000’ research project. The performances ‘Sangiovese’ grapevine (clone ‘SSF-A548’) grafted on ‘1103P’ and ‘420A’ rootstocks, were evaluated during a six years period, on five experimental vineyards located in the Province of Florence and Siena. The vineyards were established at a density of 3500 plants per hectare, trained to horizontal spur cordon (m 0.7 from the ground) with 30000 buds per hectare. The main meteorological data were monitored by automatic stations and soil analysis was performed at the beginning of the trials. Vines were planted in a randomized block design with four or five replication according to the vineyard size and uniformity. During six consecutive years on 30 plants from each thesis were carried out the following observations: phenology earliness (budbreak, veraison), bud fertility, bunch weight, and yield and pruning weight per plant, must characteristics of the berries at harvest. Physical and chemical analysis of wines obtained from microvinification (made in 500 L containers), were also performed. The climatic differences resulted among the zones of the ‘Chianti Classico’ examined, had a significant effect on vine phenology also in relationship with altitude, which together to soil characteristics contributed to affect the agronomic behaviour of the three varieties, the must composition and the wine characteristics. Discriminant analysis allowed distinguishing some sites, whose differences can be ascribed to the territorial influence on the vegetative and productive activity of the grapevine, berry ripening and wine composition. Hierarchical influences due to clone ‘SSF-A548’ according to the site and year are presented

Use of beneficial bacteria Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 on grapevine rootstocks grafted with 'Sangiovese'

Azospirillum brasilense Sp245, a well-known PGPR (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria), was examined in order to evaluate the effects on nursery propagation. In addition the aim was to test the ability of the inoculated bacterium to improve the rooting parameters of some rootstocks that do not easily root through conventional techniques. Nine rootstocks were tested in a conventional nursery, while two rootstocks were tested in organic nursery: V. berlandieri × V. riparia 420A, 161-49, 157-11, SO4; V. berlandieri × V. rupestris 140Ru, 775P, 1103P; V. riparia × V. rupestris 101-14, 3309C. The quality of the root system was improved in terms of the number of roots, root architecture and the total biomass of vines produced in the organic nursery, while in the conventional nursery the results depended on the rootstock. The results suggest that further study is needed for a better comprehension of the mode of action and to establish how PGPR could be used for the sustainable production of grapevine plants

Esca symptoms appearance in Vitis vinifera L.: influence of climate, pedo-climatic conditions and rootstock/cultivar combination

This study investigated the appearance of esca symptoms in relation to environmental factors and the rootstock/cultivar combination in an experimental setting between 2004 and 2009. Among the common genotypes showing susceptibility to the esca disease, four cultivars were considered: ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Sangiovese’, ‘Trebbiano Toscano’ and ‘Chardonnay’. These cultivars were studied own-rooted and in combination with two rootstocks: Kober 5BB and 1103 Paulsen. The difference in susceptibility of cultivars to esca appeared negatively related to the graft. No clear relation was found between esca appearance and environmental factors. Moreover, an unexpected discordance between esca incidence percentage and mortality rate was observed

La defogliazione precoce: effetto indotto sulla qualità di uve Sangiovese e di vini sottoposti ad affinamento in legno prolungato.

Canopy management embraces a range of viticulture practices aimed to obtain a desired shoot arrangement and avoid an excessive foliage density which would shade and make humid the fruit zone. Leaf removal (defoliation) in the fruiting zone is a canopy management practice widely applied, at any time from fruit set to veraison, to enhance air circulation and light penetration in dense foliage. The aim of this study was to assess, in a commercial cv. Sangiovese vineyard, the usefulness of early defoliation as a tool to reduce cluster compactness and yield and improve grape composition. Two different methods for early defoliation, consisting of removal of all leaves from the first 5-7 nodes, was tested close around flowering: manual and pseudo-mechanical. Non-defoliated vines were considered as a control. The effect of the canopy management method adopted on yield, grape composition and sensorial expression of grapes was evaluated, as well as the evolution of wines obtained by defoliated grapes in the previous two harvest seasons, as a function of aging in oak barrels. Early defoliation, especially the manual one, reduced cluster compactness and yield but increased total phenolics concentration in berries. However, the differences tend to decrease with wine aging