Water deficits accelerate ripening and induce changes in gene expression regulating flavonoid biosynthesis in grape berries

Abstract

Water deficits consistently promote higher concentrations of anthocyanins in red winegrapes and their wines. However, controversy remains as to whether there is any direct effect on berry metabolism other than inhibition of growth. Early (ED) and late (LD) season water deficits, applied before or after the onset of ripening (veraison), were imposed on field grown Vitis vinifera "Cabernet Sauvignon", and the responses of gene expression in the flavonoid pathway and their corresponding metabolites were determined. ED accelerated sugar accumulation and the onset of anthocyanin synthesis. Both ED and LD increased anthocyanin accumulation after veraison. Expression profiling revealed that the increased anthocyanin accumulation resulted from earlier and greater expression of the genes controlling flux through the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, including F3H, DFR, UFGT and GST. Increases in total anthocyanins resulted predominantly from an increase of 3'4'5'-hydroxylated forms through the differential regulation of F3'H and F3'5'H. There were limited effects on proanthocyanidin, other flavonols, and on expression of genes committed to their synthesis. These results demonstrate that manipulation of abiotic stress through applied water deficits not only modulates compositional changes during berry ripening, but also alters the timing of particular aspects of the ripening process.

The effects of various drip fertigated water quantities on flavonoid and anthocyanin content on hydroponically cultivated Cucumis sativa L.

“…This report is consistent with the finding that the presence of anthocyanins in plant tissues provided protection of plant tissues against abiotic stress such as water (Chalker-Scott, 1999). In a similar study, Mattivi et al (2006) and Castellarin et al (2007b) reported anthocyanin increases in plant tissues exposed to limited water conditions. This increase in anthocyanin is due to the stimulation of anthocyanin hydroxylation by up regulating the gene encoding its enzyme (Mattivi et al, 2006;Castellarin et al, 2007b).…”

“…In a similar study, Mattivi et al (2006) and Castellarin et al (2007b) reported anthocyanin increases in plant tissues exposed to limited water conditions. This increase in anthocyanin is due to the stimulation of anthocyanin hydroxylation by up regulating the gene encoding its enzyme (Mattivi et al, 2006;Castellarin et al, 2007b). It can also be as a result of increased early sugar accumulation which as a result accelerates anthocyanin production (Castellarin et al, 2007b).…”

“…This increase in anthocyanin is due to the stimulation of anthocyanin hydroxylation by up regulating the gene encoding its enzyme (Mattivi et al, 2006;Castellarin et al, 2007b). It can also be as a result of increased early sugar accumulation which as a result accelerates anthocyanin production (Castellarin et al, 2007b). Plants that contain a high amount of anthocyanin can survive droughts for an extended periods of time.…”

“…Studies conducted by Mattivi et al (2006) showed that under limited water conditions anthocyanin build up increased through the stimulation of anthocyanin hydroxylation by up regulating the gene encoding the enzyme. In another case Castellarin et al (2007b) stated that when berries of grapes were exposed to limited water conditions early sugars build up increased which accelerated anthocyanin synthesis.…”

Blood chemistry profile of Bali cattle fed silage rice straw and biosupplement of selected rumen and termites lignocellulolytic bacteria consortium

“…Apart from that its transcriptional regulation has also been documented in several studies 6,9 , recently even in Arabidopsis thaliana 10 . Abiotic stress inducing factors not only play important role in induction of DFR expression but also enhance production of anthocyanin [11][12][13] . In some recent studies a direct relationship between up regulation of DFR expression and higher accumulation of anthocyanin had been documented 14 .…”