Berries of 13 Greek grape wine cultivars were evaluated for resistance to Botrytis bunch rot. Artificial inoculations on detached berries revealed that the Greek cultivars tested varied regarding their susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea. Cultivar (cv.) “Limnio” was found to be highly resistant, while higher susceptibility was observed on berries of cv. “Roditis”. To determine the molecular basis of the observed resistance or susceptibility of cv. “Limnio” and “Roditis”, an expression analysis of 12 defence-related genes, was carried out on artificially inoculated berries of the two cultivars at different time points after inoculation. Gene expression measurements in the resistant cv. “Limnio” showed that the artificial inoculation with the pathogen triggered the induction of genes encoding pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins such as chitinases (CHIT), polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP), serine proteinase inhibitor (PIN) and enzymes involved in phytoalexin synthesis such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and stilbene synthase (STS). In contrast, on the susceptible cv. “Roditis”, most of the same genes were down-regulated. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences in the initial metabolic profiles of “Limnio” and “Roditis” berries. Furthermore, in response to inoculation, the abundance of several metabolites increased in the resistant cultivar indicating intensification of metabolic processes. Proline and mannitol accumulation, as well as the modification of metabolites related to phenylpropanoid and lignin biosynthesis, are among the major players in defence responses of the “Limnio” cultivar. The above findings enhance our understanding of the resistance of Greek grape wine cultivars to B. cinerea and, at the same time, lay the foundation for breeding wine grape cultivars in the future.
Boron modulates a wide range of plant developmental processes; however, the regulation of early fruit development by boron remains poorly defined. We report here the physiological, anatomical, metabolic, and transcriptomic impact of pre‐flowering boron supply on the sweet cherry fruit set and development (S1–S5 stages). Our findings revealed that endogenous boron content increased in early growth stages (S1 and S2 stages) following preflowering boron exogenous application. Boron treatment resulted in increased fruit set (S1 and S2 stages) and mesocarp cell enlargement (S2 stage). Various sugars (e.g., fructose and glucose), alcohols (e.g., myo‐inositol and maltitol), organic acids (e.g., malic acid and citric acid), amino acids (e.g., valine and serine) accumulated in response to boron application during the various developmental stages (S1–S5 stages). Transcriptomic analysis at early growth (S1 and S2 stages) identified boron‐responsive genes that are mainly related to secondary metabolism, amino acid metabolism, calcium‐binding, ribosome biogenesis, sugar homeostasis and especially to photosynthesis. We found various boron‐induced/repressed genes, including those specifically involved in growth. Several heat shock proteins displayed distinct patterns during the initial growth in boron‐exposed fruit. Gene analysis also discovered several putative candidate genes like PavPIP5K9, PavWAT1, PavMIOX, PavCAD1, PavPAL1 and PavSNRK2.7, which could facilitate the investigation of the molecular rationale underlying boron function in early fruit growth. Substantial changes in the expression of numerous transcription factors, including PavbHLH25, PavATHB.12L, and PavZAT10.1,.2 were noticed in fruits exposed to boron. The current study provides a baseline of information for understanding the metabolic processes regulated by boron during sweet cherry fruit early growth and fruit development in general.
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