Physiology of Flowering in the Grapevine — a Review

Abstract

The vegetative and reproductive anatomy of the grapevine is discussed with emphasis on recent interpretations based on scanning electron microscopy. The terminology of flowering in Vitis is defined and a developmental code, comprising Stages 0 to 11, is proposed for the events leading to formation of flowers. In brief, flowering in the grapevine involves three main steps: 1) Formation of Anlagen or uncommitted primordia (Stages 0 to 1); 2) Differentiation of Anlagen to form inflorescence primordia (Stages 2 to 7); and 3) Differentiation of flowers (Stages 8 to 11). The literature on the factors that influence flowering in grapes is reviewed under three major headings: 1) Biochemical

A molecular genetic perspective of reproductive development in grapevine

“…For the primary latent bud, the SAM produces first three to four leaf primordia before initiating the alternation of leaf primordia with lateral meristems. The first two to three lateral meristems have the potential to differentiate as inflorescences (Pratt, 1971;Srinivasan and Mullins, 1981) while the following lateral meristems produced will start differentiation as tendrils (Pratt, 1971;Mullins, 1976, 1981). Inflorescence meristems proliferate to give rise to additional inflorescence branch meristems with a spiral phyllotaxis that will form an immature raceme structure (Fig.…”

“…Flower meristems form, sequentially, sepal primordia, petals and stamens common primordia that soon divide to form separate primordia, and, finally, the innermost carpel primordia. Additional details on flower structure and development are provided in other reviews (Pratt, 1971;Srinivasan and Mullins, 1981;Gerrath, 1993;Boss and Thomas, 2000;May, 2000May, , 2004Boss et al, 2003;Meneghetti et al, 2006;Lebon et al, 2008). The size and structure of the mature inflorescence and bunch are essentially determined by the time of an thesis (Shavrukov et al, 2004).…”

“…5), reinforcing the concept of a common origin. In fact, intermediate organs can frequently be observed under field conditions (Pratt, 1971(Pratt, , 1974Srinivasan and Mullins, 1981;Boss and Thomas, 2000; including occasions when the lateral meristem develops a SAM (see fig. 2 in Boss and Thomas, 2000).…”

“…In spite of the difficulties in studying grapevine flowering, a number of excellent reviews and books already exist on grapevine flowering that together summarize the existing body of literature (Pratt, 1971;Srinivasan and Mullins, 1981;Gerrath, 1993;Boss and Thomas, 2000;May, 2000May, , 2004Boss et al, 2003;Meneghetti et al, 2006;Lebon et al, 2008). Although fruit can be viewed as continued growth of the carpel after fertilization, fruit development and composition will not be covered in detail in this review and readers are referred to other sources (e.g.…”

Tolerance of muscadine grape to 2,4-D choline postemergence-directed

“…Differences in yield of older vines were observed, but it is inconclusive whether that was an effect of pruning technique or 2,4-D exposure. Future research should include a multiyear study to take into consideration grape flower development because floral buds injured during the growing season before they bloom directly affect yield the year after application (Srinivasan and Mullins 1981). As a perennial crop, a multiyear study on muscadine grape will also determine whether minor injury is compounded over multiple years and affects shoot growth and yield as was observed by Ogg et al (1991) on Concord grapes.…”