Due to their biological activities, both in plants and in humans, there is a great interest in finding natural sources of phenolic compounds or ways to artificially manipulate their levels. During the last decade, a significant amount of these compounds has been reported in the vegetative organs of the vine plant. In the roots, woods, canes, stems, and leaves, at least 183 phenolic compounds have been identified, including 78 stilbenes (23 monomers, 30 dimers, 8 trimers, 16 tetramers, and 1 hexamer), 15 hydroxycinnamic acids, 9 hydroxybenzoic acids, 17 flavan-3-ols (of which 9 are proanthocyanidins), 14 anthocyanins, 8 flavanones, 35 flavonols, 2 flavones, and 5 coumarins. There is great variability in the distribution of these chemicals along the vine plant, with leaves and stems/canes having flavonols (83.43% of total phenolic levels) and flavan-3-ols (61.63%) as their main compounds, respectively. In light of the pattern described from the same organs, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, and caftaric acid are the main flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids in the leaves; the most commonly represented flavan-3-ols and flavonols in the stems and canes are catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B1, and quercetin-3-O-galactoside. The main stilbenes (trans-ε-viniferin, trans-resveratrol, isohopeaphenol/hopeaphenol, vitisin B, and ampelopsins) accumulate primarily in the woods, followed by the roots, the canes, and the stems, whereas the leaves, which are more exposed to environmental stresses, have a low concentration of these compounds. Data provided in this review could be used as (i) a metabolomic tool for screening in targeted and untargeted analyses and (ii) a reference list in studies aimed at finding ways to induce naturally occurring polyphenols on an industrial scale for pant and human disease control.

Broad spectrum primers were used to amplify a fragment comprising the CP gene and putative ORF6 by RT-PCR from ds-RNA templates originating from 46 Portuguese varieties, totalling 190 samples, including some wild Vitis ssp sylvestris vines, and 2 vines from Slovenia. SSCP analysis was used as a preliminary screen to avoid cloning and sequencing very similar variants. Four groups of variants were recognized. In pair wise comparisons between nucleotide sequences the minimal homology found was 81%. In case of the cultivated varieties, no relationship could be seen between the phylogenetic groups and geographic origin or grape variety. Several isolates were found harbouring mixed infections with genomic variants from different groups, but the mixing did not lead to an extensive recombination between them. The deduced amino-acid sequences revealed a conserved CP subjected to strong purifying selection pressure. Analysis of the selection pressure operating on the putative ORF6 suggests that this ORF does not exist. Previously produced polyclonal antiserum raised against the recombinant CP of RSPaV expressed in Escherichia coli was shown to be able to detect all four groups of variants of RSPaV included in this study, which might enable the diagnosis of the virus on a serological basis.

In Poland in 2002 and 2005 two different isolates of Pepino mosaic virus signed PepMV-SW and PepMV-PK were obtained. Both isolates were compared on the basis of their symptomatology on a series of plant species. In addition, the isolates were characterized by the nucleotide sequence analysis of the triple gene block, coat protein and a part of the polymerase genes. The studies showed that the Polish isolates differ from each other and belong to two strains. PepMV-SW was highly similar to European isolates, showing extensive sequence identity, ca.

The impact of mixed infection of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 and 3 (GLRaV-1&-3) on physiological performance of the Portuguese grapevine variety 'Touriga Nacional' was evaluated during 3 years with the main purpose of understanding the drastic reduction in yield. Overall, gas exchange was negatively affected in leaves with these leafroll virus infections. Particularly at ripeness stage, the reduction in stomatal conductance (g s ) was higher than in net CO 2 assimilation rate (A), leading to higher intrinsic water use efficiency (A/g s ) in infected leaves. However, the decrease in g s and A were not a consequence of the decrease in bulk water potential, as the water index/normalised difference vegetation index ratio suggested similar magnitude for both treatments. The maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II was unaffected by GLRaV-1&-3, whereas quantum effective efficiency of PSII, apparent electron transport rate and photochemical quenching significantly decreased in infected leaves and these was paralleled by a significant increase of non-photochemical quenching. Relative to carbon metabolism, the analyses of the net CO 2 assimilation rate/photosynthetic photon flux density (A/PPFD) and net CO 2 assimilation rate/internal CO 2 concentration (A/C i ) curves revealed that virus infection had a negative effect on light saturated rate of CO 2 fixation at high irradiances and carboxylation efficiency but, in contrast, apparent quantum yield of CO 2 fixation was significantly higher. Meanwhile, the presence of GLRaV-1&-3 resulted in a marked decrease in photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars and soluble proteins contents, while starch and anthocyanins were significantly improved. N, P, Ca, S and Fe leaf concentrations significantly decreased, while K, Mg, B, Cu, Zn and Mn were unaffected by these two leafroll virus species. Infected plants showed a significant decrease in yield, mainly due to a lower cluster weight. These results emphasised the important role of GLRaV-1&-3 as a biotic stress for the grapevine physiology and consequently to yield attributes.

The viticulture and wine industry contribute to the economy and reputation of many countries all over the world. With the predicted climate change, a negative impact on grapevine physiology, growth, production, and quality of berries is expected. On the other hand, the impact of these changes in phytopathogenic fungi development, survival rates, and host susceptibility is unpredictable. Grapevine fungal diseases control has been a great challenge to winegrowers worldwide. The use of chemicals in viticulture is high, which can result in the development of pathogen resistance, increasingly raising concerns regarding residues in wine and effects on human and environmental health. Promoting sustainable patterns of production is one of the overarching objectives and essential requirements for sustainable development. Alternative holistic approaches, such as those making use of biostimulants, are emerging in order to reduce the consequences of biotic and abiotic stresses in the grapevine, namely preventing grape fungal diseases, improving grapevine resistance to water stress, and increasing yield and berry quality.