Epigenomics: a new tool for the generation of climate resilient grapevines

Abstract

Climate change is expected to increase the occurrence of extreme environmental conditions. Viticulture, as agriculture in general, is highly dependent on climatic conditions, not only for yield but also for fruit quality, which is the most important factor affecting produce value at the farm-gate. This demands the development of novel plant breeding techniques that will lead to the accelerated production of more resilient grape varieties, as conventional breeding programs for perennials are often prolonged. Recent research has suggested that environmental conditions can activate a memory of stress that could result in a primed response to subsequent stress events. This is a process capable of increasing plant’s resilience to abiotic stimuli, allowing plants to better adapt to extreme environmental conditions. While the effect of priming has been observed in many plants, the underlying mechanisms are puzzling and seldom studied in perennial crops. A large body of research has been developed in the last decade linking response to stress, stress priming, and memory of stress with epigenetic mechanisms. This understanding of plant epigenetics has opened the door to the application of epigenetics to crop improvement, such as the use of epigenetic breeding for the generation of more resilient crops. Perennial crop agriculture in general, and viticulture in particular, would benefit from more in-depth knowledge on epigenetic memory of stress.

Emerging Roles of Epigenetics in Grapevine and Winegrowing

“…Enhancing our understanding of the epigenetic regulation of plant immunity may result in novel tools to strengthen natural defenses and thereby manage grapevine’s diseases and pests in an eco-friendly manner. Viticulture can also greatly benefit from understanding the mechanisms of transient and stable modifications in epigenetic memory for the development of new epi-breeding techniques for stress adaptation, such as targeted epigenetic modifications that can lead to more stress-tolerant cultivars [ 53 ].…”

“…Most epigenetic studies in grapevine have dealt with a single abiotic stressor (e.g., heat or drought), even though stress conditions in the environment usually occur in combination [ 14 , 53 ]. A recent study conducted with V. vinifera ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ cv.…”

Genetic and Epigenetic Responses of Autochthonous Grapevine Cultivars from the ‘Epirus’ Region of Greece upon Consecutive Drought Stress

“…Recent work has suggested that the environment can have a significant impact on the methylome and that environmentally induced epigenetic changes may be the molecular basis of the ‘terroir’ effect on grapevine development and product quality. Other studies have shown that the genotype is the primary driver of DNA methylation variability [ 39 , 99 , 100 ]. Collectively, these studies suggest that the combinatorial effect of genetic/epigenetic and environmental factors may shape the performance of distinct grapevine genotypes in diverse environmental regimes.…”

Epigenetic differences between wild and cultivated grapevines highlight the contribution of DNA methylation during crop domestication

“…Studying the potential for epigenetic mechanisms contribution to domestication without genetic change 23-25 could provide novel insights into the early stages of domestication and the selective pressures faced by ancestral agriculturists. At the same time, such studies will lay the foundation for the development of comprehensive models integrating plant adaptation to the environment through epigenetics mechanisms, facilitating their use for the development of novel cultivars more resilient to stress 26 .…”