Characterization of Local Mediterranean Grapevine Varieties for Their Resilience to Semi-Arid Conditions under a Rain-Fed Regime

Abstract

Viticultural adaptations to climate change are needed, and the utilization of grapevine varieties that are better-adapted to water scarcity could contribute to finding grape varieties that are adapted to climate change. The present research was carried out to expand the limited knowledge on the minor varieties Arcos and Forcallat in comparison with three other more widespread traditional Mediterranean cultivars (Bobal, Garnacha, and Monastrell). An ampelographic characterization was carried out and provided with the characteristics for the cv. Arcos, which have not been previously described, as well as traits that are useful for differentiating it from the cv. Forcallat. Both varieties maintained low stomatal conductance, having the highest number of small stomata in comparison to the rest of varieties. Arcos and Forcallat also showed the highest intrinsic water use efficiency in addition to being late ripening, a characteristic that could be of interest in the context of water scarcity and warm climates for better coupling of technological and phenolic maturity. In parallel, we analyzed Veremeta plants considered a synonym of Monastrell, which were growing in the same field. The synonymy was confirmed by SSR markers, but phenotypic differences between plant materials were determined in relation to their ampelographic, agronomical, and physiological traits. Indeed, both accessions are very interesting as materials to be studied in agronomic trials under different watering regimes in order to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the drought tolerance of the evaluated Mediterranean varieties.

Canopy Architecture and Sun Exposure Influence Berry Cluster Water Relations in Grapevine

“…While hydraulic conductivity (normalized to rachis length and berry number) decreased along berry ripening during the 2019 season, in 2020 no significant changes were observed. Muscat genotypes have been classified as near-isohydric [33], and this behavior could explain the results obtained in 2020 but fails to explain the plants' behavior in 2019. Regardless of the controversial classification of grapevine genotypes on iso/anisohydric groups [35,36]), Vandeleur et al [36] demonstrated the ability of grapevine genotypes to switch their strategy by shifting from a near-isohydric to a nearanisohydric behavior, depending on soil water content, thanks to the activity of several AQPs.…”

Canopy Architecture and Sun Exposure Influence Berry Cluster–Water Relations in the Grapevine Variety Muscat of Alexandria

“…While hydraulic conductivity (normalized to rachis length and berry number) decreased during berry ripening during the 2019 season, in 2020 no significant changes were observed. Muscat genotypes have been classified as near-isohydric [ 35 ], and this behavior could explain the results obtained in 2020 but fails to explain the plants’ behavior in 2019. Regardless of the controversial classification of grapevine genotypes on the iso/anisohydric groups [ 16 , 36 ]), Vandeleur et al [ 37 ] demonstrated the ability of grapevine genotypes to switch their strategy by shifting from a near-isohydric to a near-anisohydric behavior, depending on the soil water content, thanks to the activity of several AQPs.…”

Volatile Characterization of Recovery Minority Grape Varieties from Castilla-La Mancha Region (Spain)

“…However, these varieties often possess unique characteristics and specific adaptations to their development environment, making them valuable from an agronomic perspective in ensuring resilience against climate change. In this line, the application of advanced genomic sequencing techniques has enabled researchers to identify and analyze specific genetic markers that have allowed highlighting the rich genetic diversity of recovered varieties, which could make them able to adapt to different weather conditions, resist diseases, and improve the quality of wines [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Likewise, in recent years, numerous studies have been conducted to explore the agronomic adaptation of these grape varieties under different water regimes.…”