Integrative field scale phenotyping for investigating metabolic components of water stress within a vineyard

Background There is currently a high requirement for field phenotyping methodologies/technologies to determine quantitative traits related to crop yield and plant stress responses under field conditions. Methods We employed an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a thermal camera as a high-throughput phenotyping platform to obtain canopy level data of the vines under three irrigation treatments. High-resolution imagery (< 2.5 cm/pixel) was employed to estimate the canopy conductance (g c ) via the leaf energy balance model. In parallel, physiological stress measurements at leaf and stem level as well as leaf sampling for primary and secondary metabolome analysis were performed. Results Aerial g c correlated significantly with leaf stomatal conductance (g s ) and stem sap flow, benchmarking the quality of our remote sensing technique. Metabolome profiles were subsequently linked with g c and g s via partial least square modelling. By this approach malate and flavonols, which have previously been implicated to play a role in stomatal function under controlled greenhouse conditions within model species, were demonstrated to also be relevant in field conditions. Conclusions We propose an integrative methodology combining metabolomics, organ-level physiology and UAV-based remote sensing of the whole canopy responses to water stress within a vineyard. Finally, we discuss the general utility of this integrative methodology for broad field phenotyping

Aula de innovación educativa

Punt de trobada' o 'Punto de encuentro' es una revista elaborada por las asociaciones de padres y madres y los equipos directivos de los doce centros escolares públicos de Calvía y Andratx (Mallorca). La revista se ha creado como una plataforma de encuentro común entre familiares y docentes, la pretensión es exponer periódicamente la experiencias y problemas comunes para tomar decisiones compartidas. En el primer número de la revista se ha realizado una encuesta que recoge información a docentes y familias sobre temas como: preocupaciones, aspectos que se pueden mejorar y relaciones padres-maestros. La financiación, distribución, acogida y continuidad de la revista son apuntadas en la última parte del artículo.CataluñaES

Improving water use efficiency of vineyards in semi-arid regions. A review

Water is critical for viticulture sustainability since grape production, quality and economic viability are largely dependent on water availability. The total water consumption of vineyards, 300 to 700 mm, is generally higher than the annual average precipitation in many viticultural areas, which induces a risk for sustainability of vineyards. Improving vineyard water use efficiency (WUE) is therefore crucial for a sustainable viticulture industry in semi-arid regions. Increased sustainability of water resources for vineyards can be achieved using both agronomical technology and cultivar selection. Here, we review advances in grapevine water use efficiency related to changes in agronomical practices and genetic improvements. Agronomical practices focus on increasing green water use by increasing soil water storage capacity, reducing direct soil water loss, or limiting early transpiration losses. Cover crops for semi-arid areas show a favorable effect, but careful management is needed to avoid excessive water consumption by the cover crop. Canopy management practices to reduce excessive water use are also analyzed. This is a genetic based review focused on identifying cultivars with higher WUE