Accumulation of potassium and calcium by ripening berries on field vines of Vitis vinifera (L) cv. Shiraz

Ripening berries of Vitis vinifera (L) cv. Shiraz can show pre-harvest weight loss at sub-optimal sugar content (shrinkage). This later-age decline in berry weight implies that water loss from mature berries has begun to exceed water inflow from the parent grapevine. Such decrease in net inflow has been attributed to a cessation of xylem flow subsequent to veraison, followed by a cessation of phloem flow into berries during later stages of ripening. We address this issue in this present paper, and show a continuing increase in berry content of both potassium and calcium throughout ripening. We measured changes in berry fresh weight and berry content of potassium (phloem mobile) and calcium (phloem immobile) in fruit on field vines sampled from set to harvest. Berry fresh weight reached a plateau between 81 and 95 days after flowering, then declined to 75% of maximum fresh weight by 115 days. Dry weight maximum occurred 14 days after the onset of the fresh weight plateau. Potassium accumulation was slow pre-veraison, increased 3.5-fold post-veraison, and continued during berry shrinkage. Calcium content per berry also showed a linear increase throughout fruit enlargement and ripening phases. Assuming both potassium and calcium were entering berries via vascular conduits, our results imply a continuing connection between parent grapevine and ripening berries. Moreover, an abrupt change (increase) in the ratio of potassium/calcium content per berry subsequent to veraison implies that phloem inflow has increased relative to xylem inflow during post-veraison enlargement.     

Shiraz berry size in relation to seed number and implications for juice and wine composition

This study was conducted over three seasons on irrigated Shiraz grapevines growing in a warm climate. We addressed the question of whether differences in berry size (within a population of berries from minimally pruned, own‐rooted or Ramsey‐grafted vines), would lead to differences in juice composition, wine composition or wine sensory score. Predictably, berry mass was found to increase with seed number, but berries in the smallest mass categories (0.3–0.7 g) still had similar juice soluble solids and pH; and similar concentrations of K+, tartaric acid and malic acid, compared with larger berries (1.4–2.0 g). Only for the very smallest mass category (0.3–0.55 g) was there any indication of better colour density (both for own‐rooted and Ramsey‐grafted vines) or higher anthocyanin concentration (for own‐rooted vines) compared with larger berries (1.4–2.0 g). Concentrations of tartaric acid and K+ in berry skins were highest in the smallest berry mass categories (0.3–0.7 g) and decreased with increasing berry mass (up to 1.4–2.0 g). A strong correlation (R²= 0.85) between skin tartaric acid and K+ concentrations was observed across that range. Small‐scale wine lots based on small berries (0.8–0.9 g) versus large berries (1.2–1.3 g) showed no differences in measures such as soluble solids, total acids or pH of juice; nor any differences in pH, total acids, K+, tartrate, malate, spectral characteristics or sensory score of corresponding wines. Moreover, small berries had a similar skin to fruit ratio, and a similar juice yield, compared to large berries. However, when measured post‐fermentation, the ratio of seed weight to skin weight was higher for small berries. The mass range of berries used here for small‐scale winemaking (i.e. from 0.8–0.9 g up to 1.2–1.3 g), covered the range of Shiraz berry mass typically found in irrigated vineyards (from 0.8 to 1.5 g), and thus confirms the relevance of present outcomes to practical winemaking. Finally, our data for variation in juice and wine composition as a function of berry size, showed consistent trends for all seasons, and thus implies that reported instances of improved wine quality from small berries (often associated with certain pruning treatments or deficit irrigation strategies), are more likely due to treatment effects that lead to small fruit, rather than to intrinsic developmental differences between large and small berries.     

Direct measurement of hydraulic properties in developing berries of Vitis vinifera L. cv Shiraz and Chardonnay

Berries of Vitis vinifera L. cv Shiraz can undergo weight loss during later stages of ripening. Existing published views on how weight loss occurs are based on changes in capacity of the vascular system to import water during development (McCarthy and Coombe, Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 5, 17–21, 1999). One important element of these views is the proposed cessation of water flow through the xylem after veraison. We have now measured the water flow into berries of Shiraz and Chardonnay as they develop using the pressure probe and the high pressure flow meter (HPFM). The pressure probe connected to the pedicel of individual berries provided measurements of single berry hydraulic conductance. By systematic excision of tissue segments of the berry and pedicel we determined where in the pathway hydraulic conductance changed during development. The HPFM was used on whole bunches showing that berries (including pedicels) represent parallel high hydraulic resistances and that the hydraulic resistance of the bunch axis was rather small. The hydraulic conductance per berry could be determined from excision experiments. There was close agreement between the pressure probe and HPFM measurements. Both showed a ten‐fold reduction in hydraulic conductance of whole berries from veraison to full ripeness. Shiraz had hydraulic conductances that were 2‐ to 5‐fold higher than those for Chardonnay. Shiraz maintained a higher hydraulic conductance past 90 days after flowering than Chardonnay. The decrease in hydraulic conductance occurred in both the distal and proximal parts of the berry for both varieties. The pressure probe also provided measurements of the xylem pressure that non‐transpiring berries could develop. These pressures were –0.2 to –0.1 MPa until veraison and increased to zero when the juice osmotic potential reached about –3 MPa in Chardonnay and –4 MPa in Shiraz. The results suggest values of the reflection coefficient of the osmotic barrier around the xylem vessels of about 0.1–0.2 at veraison decreasing to 0 at harvest. It is suggested that in addition to changes in xylem anatomy, aquaporins in berry membranes may play a role in regulating hydraulic conductance. Water movement from the berry back to the parent vine via the xylem (backflow) may be an important component of berry weight loss in Shiraz, particularly if the phloem ceases functioning at high osmotic potentials near maximum weight. Backflow could account for a weight loss of 43 mg per day in Shiraz berries for a relatively small gradient of 0.1 MPa.     

Dynamics of grape berry growth and physiology of ripening

Data from two experiments on development of grape berries is re-examined with emphasis on partitioning of berry weight into non-solutes per berry (largely water) and solutes per berry (largely sugar), using weight times juice °Brix. This approach is based on the thought that, since xylem flow is blocked after veraison, time curves of solutes per berry indicate the activity of phloem transport into the berry during ripening growth. Experiment 1: Measurements of Muscat Gordo Blanco berries from inflorescences with a spread of flowering times showed typical double-sigmoid volume/time curves but with divergent rates and amounts of volume increase. Despite this divergence, °Brix curves after veraison were almost coincident because, in each case, the rate of increase in solutes per berry was proportional to that of berry volume. These results indicate that sugar and water increments after veraison are linked and depend on the same source, namely, phloem sap. Experiment 2: An irrigation experiment on cv. Shiraz also showed divergent berry weight curves between treatments and years but with the difference that all berries shrank after a maximum berry weight was attained at 91 days after flowering (at about 20 °Brix). At this point, the curves of solutes per berry slowed then plateaued, indicating that inflow of phloem sap had become impeded. Prior to shrinkage these berries accumulated primary metabolites (mainly phloem sugar) but, during shrinkage, when berries were apparently isolated from vascular transport, non-anthocyanin glycosides accumulated. These results have implications for the study of berry flavour buildup and berry composition, and also for the understanding of sink competition within the vine, fresh and dried yield, and juice °Brix levels.     

Auxin treatment of pre‐veraison grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berries both delays ripening and increases the synchronicity of sugar accumulation

Background and Aims: Pre‐veraison auxin treatments can delay grape berry ripening, but there is little information about their effects on berry development and wine composition. The aim of this study was to further investigate these effects and explore the practical implications of delaying ripening. Methods and Results: Treatment of pre‐veraison Vitis vinifera L. cv. Shiraz berries with 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) significantly delayed ripening as measured by the accumulation of total soluble solids (TSS) and anthocyanins. The onset of the post‐veraison phase of berry size increase was delayed in NAA‐treated fruit, but these fruit were significantly larger than Control fruit at harvest. NAA‐treatments significantly increased the synchronicity of berry sugar accumulation. GC‐MS analysis of wine headspace volatiles showed significant, but largely small, differences in the concentration of 19 compounds. No significant difference in sensory properties was found between replicate small‐scale wine lots made from Control and NAA‐treated fruit. Conclusions: Auxin treatment delayed berry ripening, increased the synchronicity of sugar accumulation between berries, increased berry size and changed the levels of some volatile compounds, but did not affect wine sensory properties. Significance of the Study: We propose that NAA sprays might be used to delay grape berry ripening and increase the synchronicity of sugar accumulation, and therefore ripening, without deleterious effects on wine quality. This may be useful in controlling winery intake and fruit composition.     

Relative proportions of seed, skin and flesh, in ripe berries from Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines grown in a vineyard either well irrigated or under water deficit

Relationships between the fresh mass of seed, skin (exocarp), and flesh (mesocarp) in six different berry size categories, were assessed on ripe fruit from Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines exposed to either High (H), Control (C) or Low (L) water status during post‐veraison berry growth in a vineyard. Berries harvested from each treatment were segregated into six mass categories in order to distinguish between changes in fresh mass components associated with general variation in berry size (on well‐watered grapevines), and those associated with berry size differences due to water stress. Berry fresh mass across all treatments ranged from about 0.4 to 2.0 g. Fresh mass components for both H and C berries comprised approximately 5% seed, 15% skin, and 80% flesh, regardless of variation in berry size, although there was some increase in seed mass relative to whole‐berry fresh mass in larger berries. Berry growth (as inferred from fresh mass at harvest) was much less sensitive to water deficit than published reports for grapevine shoot growth. Midday leaf water potentials around –1.20 MPa (Control) were not sufficient to inhibit berry growth. However, midday water potentials around –1.50 MPa (Low water status) inhibited berry growth by 13–18% of that attained by grapevines grown at high water status (i.e. treatment H where midday leaf water potentials remained around –1.00 MPa). Inhibition of berry growth by water deficit was attributed almost exclusively to reduced growth of mesocarp tissues (for most berry size categories). Water deficit thus increased the proportion of whole‐berry fresh mass represented by seeds and skin (for most berry size categories). Changes in those proportions due to irrigation treatments exceeded differences associated with general (non‐stress) variation in whole‐berry fresh mass. Excluding adverse environmental impacts on whole‐berry fresh mass, our results point to a limited role for variation in berry size per se as a factor determining the solute concentration of juice or wine derived from different sized fruit. By implication, and for all categories of whole‐berry fresh mass represented here, late season water deficit can result in ripe fruit with more skin and seed tissues (relative to whole‐berry fresh mass) compared with well‐watered control fruit.     

Effects of manipulated grape berry transpiration on post-veraison sugar accumulation

A series of experiments were conducted on container-grown Pinot Noir and Sangiovese grapevines ( Vitis vinifera L.) to investigate whether changes in berry water loss at veraison influence the pattern of sugar accumulation. Berry transpiration was induced to vary either by changing the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) around bunches through temperature or relative humidity (RH) manipulations, or by applying drying-accelerating emulsion or a hydrophobic coating (vaseline) over the berry skin. In all the experiments, every berry of every bunch was rated prior to treatment as to softness and colour intensity. Transpiration rates were derived either from measurements of attached bunches using a custom-built open gas-exchange system or from weight loss calculated for single excised berries. Berry development and ripening were monitored throughout each experiment as deformability, fresh weight, and sugar concentration and content. Berries either did not respond to VPD-enhancement or showed reduced water loss when bunches were subjected to high temperature. Low berry transpiration in the latter treatment led to lower sugar content per berry up to harvest, and berry transpiration and net sugar intake were linearly correlated up to 0.20–0.25 mmol/m².s. A similar correlation was found also in the coating experiment within the first five days after treatments. When berry transpiration was restricted by applying vaseline, sugar accumulation was retarded. Low values of VPD, induced by raising the RH around the bunches, lowered sugar concentration but not sugar content per berry. The present study provides preliminary evidence that sugar accumulation in grapevine berries responds to changes in the evaporative demand around the bunch at veraison.     

Synthesis of flavonols and expression of flavonol synthase genes in the developing grape berries of Shiraz and Chardonnay (Vitis vinifera L.)

Flavonols were determined in Shiraz and Chardonnay grapes throughout berry development. The predominant flavonols were quercetin-3-glycosides with trace amounts of kaempferol-3-glycosides detected in Shiraz flowers but not in developing berries. Flavonols were present in the skin of ripening grapes but were not detected in seeds or flesh. Flavonols were also present in buds, tendrils, inflorescences, anthers and leaves. The concentration of flavonols in flowers (mg/g fresh weight) was high and decreased between flowering and berry set then remained relatively constant through berry development. The total amount of flavonols in berries (mg/berry) was low until pre-veraison then increased during berry development, particularly before veraison, the onset of ripening, in Chardonnay and during ripening in Shiraz. Two cDNA fragments with homology to genes encoding the enzyme flavonol synthase (FLS) were isolated from Shiraz flowers. In the overlapping region of the two cDNAs, they had 80% sequence identity at the nucleotide level and both had high homology to FLS genes from other plants. VvFLS1 was expressed in leaves, tendrils, pedicels, buds and inflorescences as well as in developing grapes. Expression was highest between flowering and fruit set then declined, increasing again during ripening coincident with the increase in flavonols per berry. Expression of VvFLS2 was much lower than for VvFLS1 and did not change during berry development. The results indicate that two distinct periods of flavonol synthesis occur in grapes, the first around flowering and the second during ripening of the developing berries.     

Identification and naming of the inception of aroma development in ripening grape berries

The accumulation of aroma in the grape berry appears to differ significantly from the accumulatory processes normally associated with berry ripening. A distinctive feature is the increase in concentration of free and glycosylated aroma compounds in the advanced stages of ripening, when sugar increase per berry has slowed. A similar pattern is shown for the levels of non-anthocyanin glycosides (red-free G-G) in Shiraz berries. It is suggested that the process of accumulation of aroma compounds should be given a name. Our proposal is the word 'engusting', meaning that the berry is acquiring attractive aromas and flavours; the verb is 'to engust'.     

Advancement of grapevine maturity in Australia between 1993 and 2006: putative causes, magnitude of trends and viticultural consequences

Background and Aims: Recent warming has accelerated phenological development of many crops. We quantified the rate of change in date of designated maturity (21.8°Brix), date of harvest, and sugar concentration of berries at harvest in Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz between 1993 and 2006. Methods and Results: Data from 18 Australian regions indicated that: (i) the date of designated maturity advanced at rates between ?0.5 and ?3.1 days/year; (ii) trends in the date of designated maturity were unrelated to trends in yield; (iii) trends of monthly temperature ranged from negligible up to 0.19°C/year; (iv) the rate of change in date of designated maturity was correlated with rate of change of temperature for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but not for Shiraz; (v) harvest was accelerated at a rate between ?0.4 and ?2.4 days/year; (vi) the rate of change in harvest date for Chardonnay was commensurate with the rate of change in maturity, hence berry sugar concentration at harvest remained stable with time; and (vii) the advancement of harvest for Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz only partially offset the advancements in maturity, hence the increase in the concentration of berry sugar at harvest, up to ~0.3°Brix/year. Conclusions: Maturity advanced at rates between half and 3 days per year. On a temperature basis, these rates are comparable to long‐term rates reported for the northern hemisphere. Significance of the Study: This is the first report of time trends in phenology of grapevine in Australia and provides a benchmark for the industry.     

Modelling variety‐dependent dynamics of soluble solids and water in berries of Vitis vinifera

Background and Aims: We modelled the dynamics of soluble solids, largely sugars, and water in 12 Vitis vinifera varieties. Emphasis was placed on maximum concentration of soluble solids (S_max) and time of maturity for their viticultural importance. Methods and Results: We measured the concentration of soluble solids and water at weekly intervals during berry ripening. The dynamics of concentration of soluble solids was characterised with a sigmoid model, whereas water concentration was characterised with a concentration–response type curve. Scaling exponents for soluble solids (α_s) and water (α_w) were calculated as the slope of the log–log regression between amount of soluble solids or water per berry and berry fresh mass. S_max ranged from 27.1% in Shiraz to 21.2% in Riesling, was associated with both α_w and α_s, and was largely unrelated to source size (leaf area, pruning weight, light interception), source activity (stomatal conductance), sink size (yield components) and source : sink ratios. The time of maturity ranged from 26 January in Verdelho to 27 February in Crimson Seedless, and was an inverse function of the rate of change in concentration of soluble solids, which was in turn a direct function of stomatal conductance. Conclusions: Traits related to carbon assimilation influenced time of maturity, but their link with maximum concentration of soluble solids in berries was not evident. Significance of the Study: Quantitative models of accumulation of soluble solids are presented that provide a baseline for comparisons among varieties.     

Is weight loss in ripening grape berries cv. Shiraz caused by impeded phloem transport?

Berry shrinkage in ripening grapes cv. Shiraz is systemic within a given grapevine and coincident between grapevines in any given season. In this present study on weight loss in ripening berries, ripening curves of non-solutes per berry (largely water) were similar to curves for berry weight (as a function of time). Both sets of curves were equivalent with respect to timing of maximum weights and subsequent rates of weight loss. However, curves of solutes per berry (largely sugar) increased steeply up to the time of maximum berry weight, then slowed and plateau-ed. We suggest that phloem sap is the sole source for water and solutes that enter grape berries subsequent to veraison, and accumulate until maximum berry weight. We further suggest that phloem flow becomes impeded at maximum berry weight.
As berry ripening proceeds, continuation of berry transpiration leads to berry shrinkage and a concentration of solutes; i.e. any increase in juice Brix depends on shrinkage. One implication is that assimilates enter a berry up to the onset of shrinkage, whereafter accumulation of non-anthocyanin glycosides (including glycosides of flavour compounds) depends upon their synthesis in situ.     

Rootstock and salinity effects on rates of berry maturation, ion accumulation and colour development in Shiraz grapes

Shiraz grapevines on either their own roots, or on the rootstocks Ramsey, 1103 Paulsen, 140 Ruggeri or 101–14, were grown at two separate sites within the Murray‐Darling viticultural region with similar irrigation regimes but with an irrigation water salinity of either 0.43 dS/m (low salinity site) or 2.3 dS/m (high salinity site). Rootstock effects on grape berry development, ion concentrations, soluble solids and acidity were followed during one season. Wines were also made and compared using spectral analysis and sensory evaluation. Rootstock effects that were common across both sites were (1) a close relationship between K+and soluble solids accumulation in developing grape berries which commenced at the onset of veraison and was indicative of a link between K+and sucrose transport in the phloem, and (2), higher wine K+, pH and colour hue for all rootstocks with one exception, namely 101–14 at high salinity where 101–14 responded similarly to own roots. Juice K+, pH and loss of K+from juice during winemaking were highest for grapes from the high salinity site. Mean berry weight was smaller and the range in berry size across rootstocks was narrower at the saline site. The narrower range in berry sizes may have contributed to fewer rootstock effects on wine spectral characteristics at high salinity. There was no effect of rootstock on CO₂ assimilation rate or stomatal conductance at either site, although intrinsic leaf‐based water‐use efficiency measured as A/g was 50% higher at the saline site. All treatments exhibited berry shrivel at maturity, but the extent was smaller at high salinity. Slower development of berry colour during veraison was observed on some rootstocks, for example 101–14, and while unrelated to canopy size per se, a higher leaf‐to‐fruit ratio for 101–14 may have been a factor. Slower berry colour development during veraison had no bearing on the colour density of wine made from the harvested grapes.     

Elevated temperature decouples anthocyanins and sugars in berries of Shiraz and Cabernet Franc

Background and Aim: We tested the hypothesis that elevated temperature decouples anthocyanins and total soluble solids (TSS) in developing berries and explored the effects of fruit load and water supply on the putative decoupling. Methods and Results: We established three 2² factorial experiments where two thermal regimes (elevated temperature, control) where combined with varieties (Shiraz, Cabernet Franc), fruit loads (bunch removal, control) or water regimes (irrigated, water deficit). The relationship between anthocyanins and TSS had a lag phase where TSS increased with no change in anthocyanins and an approximately linear phase where both traits increased in parallel for TSS > 11.4°Brix. Mean residuals in the linear phase were 0.065 mg/g in controls compared with ?0.064 mg/g in the heated treatment, hence demonstrating the thermal decoupling of anthocyanins and TSS across varieties fruit loads and water regimes (P < 0.0001). Delayed onset of anthocyanin accumulation at elevated temperature explained the decoupling. Water deficit increased the anthocyanin : TSS ratio. Conclusion: Elevated temperature decoupled anthocyanins and sugars in berries by a relative shift in onset rather than rate of accumulation of these berry components. Significance of the Study: Warming trends are likely to disrupt the anthocyanin : sugar ratio in berries with consequences for colour : alcohol balance in red wines. Water deficit established shortly before veraison could partially restore these ratios.     

Fruit-set on small Chardonnay and Shiraz vines grown under varying temperature regimes between budburst and flowering

Small Chardonnay and Shiraz vines were grown under controlled conditions at 25°/20°C day/night temperatures but transferred for one week to 17°/14°C or 12°/9°C at four stages of growth between budburst and flowering. In Chardonnay, half the vines were given supplementary pollination with pollen produced under favourable conditions. Per cent fruit-set and berry number per bunch of Chardonnay were reduced by about one third to one half by 12°/9°C, applied just before and at the early stage of flowering. At these stages, and with this low-temperature treatment, supplementary pollination had significant positive effects. Total seed number per berry was not affected by treatment, but the proportion of hollow seeds increased in the treatments which suffered reduced set. This resulted in a positive relation between the number of functional seeds per berry and the number of berries per bunch. In Shiraz, the differences between the various treatment means were small and mostly not significant. It is concluded that the reduction in fruit-set of Chardonnay due to cool temperatures near flowering is due to detrimental effects on both pollen and ovules.     

Effects of exogenous 24‐epibrassinolide to control grey mould and maintain postharvest quality of table grapes

The potential of various concentrations of 24‐epibrassinolide (EBR) treatments on the control of grey mould in artificial Botrytis cinerea inoculation test and on the maintenance of postharvest quality of table grapes without inoculation in cold storage were researched. In the cold storage, clusters of grapes with exogenous EBR application (EBR1, 0.1 mg L^?1 EBR; EBR2, 0.4 mg L^?1 EBR; EBR3, 0.8 mg L^?1 EBR) were stored at 0 ± 1 °C. Fruits’ quality attributes including berry firmness, weight loss, berry drop, decay berry percentages, total sugar and titratable acidity were measured at 15, 30 and 60 days. The results showed that EBR treatments exhibited a higher berry firmness and a lower percentage of weight loss, berry drop and decay berry. In the artificial inoculation trial, single berries were immersed in EBR1, EBR2 and EBR3, then inoculated by spraying with a B. cinerea spore suspension and stored at 25 ± 2 °C and 95% relative humidity. Disease severity (DS), lipid peroxidation and defence‐related enzymes of these berries were analysed every 2 days. EBR‐treated berries resulted in an increase in activities of defence‐related enzymes including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase compared with control berries inoculated by B. cinerea. Simultaneously, significant decreases in DS and production of superoxide anion radical and malondialdehyde were observed. These results suggested that exogenous application of EBR could play a protective role in controlling the grey mould of postharvest grapes and maintaining the postharvest quality during cold storage.     

‘霞多丽’葡萄果粒大小对果实品质的影响

酿酒葡萄果实品质和葡萄酒质量与果粒大小密切相关。本实验以云南香格里拉、宁夏玉泉营、山东烟台和新疆五家渠4 个产区的酿酒葡萄‘霞多丽’（Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay）为试材,按粒径分为大果粒（粒径大于14 mm）、中果粒（粒径14～12 mm）和小果粒（粒径小于12 mm）3 个等级,分别测定各粒径范围果实分布比例、果皮鲜质量、果实鲜质量以及果实可滴定酸、还原糖质量浓度和总酚含量等主要品质指标,并对果实品质进行主成分分析。结果表明：‘霞多丽’在4 个产区中果实多为中、小果粒,单果粒种子数及单粒种子质量均随粒径的增大而增加;可滴定酸质量浓度均在大果粒中较高;总酚和单宁含量除新疆五家渠葡萄表现为大果粒较高外,其他3 个产区均为小果粒较高;黄酮醇类总量在宁夏玉泉营葡萄中表现为小果粒较高,其他产区则为中果粒较高;黄烷醇类总量在云南香格里拉和新疆五家渠葡萄中表现为小果粒较高,宁夏玉泉营葡萄为中果粒较高,山东烟台葡萄则为大果粒较高。结论：主成分分析得出宁夏玉泉营的小果粒‘霞多丽’葡萄综合品质得分最高,新疆五家渠的大果粒‘霞多丽’葡萄综合品质得分最低;除山东烟台产区表现为大果粒‘霞多丽’葡萄得分较高外,其他3 个产区的‘霞多丽’葡萄综合品质得分都表现为小果粒＞中果粒＞大果粒。     

Quantifying the onset,rate and duration of sugar accumulation in berries from commercial vineyards in contrasting climates of Australia

Background and Aim: To predict the trajectory of sugar accumulation in berries for planning of harvest and post‐harvest operations, we derived a simple model that is consistent with the known biological and viticultural drivers of berry ripening and requires inputs that are readily available to industry. Methods and Results: We used data from three vintages in climatically contrasting regions of Australia to derive a relationship between total soluble solids (TSS) and thermal time. A linear‐plateau function was fitted to the 90th percentile data, hence providing a boundary function representing the potential for each variety‐environment combination. Biologically relevant parameters were derived including the rate of change in TSS, maximum TSS (TSS_max), the threshold thermal time when berries reached TSS_max, the onset and the duration of the period of linear increase in TSS. Gaps, calculated as the difference between actual TSS and the boundary function, correlated positively with vapour pressure. A model with the observed onset of ripening as an input and a variety and site specific rate as parameter accounted for 81–92% of the variation in TSS for independent data sets. Conclusion: The trajectory of TSS in berries can be modelled ‘as if’ the main environmental and management sources of variation affect the onset rather than the rate of sugar accumulation. Significance of the Study: Our onset‐rate model can be coupled with: (i) short‐term temperature forecasts to predict the trajectory of TSS for management purposes; and (ii) long‐term records of temperature to produce probabilistic profiles of maturity date.     

Canopy microclimate and berry composition: The effect of bunch exposure on the phenolic composition of Vitis vinifera L cv. Shiraz grape berries

Studies on the effect of light exposure on specific phenolic compounds of berries from Shiraz vines grown in a hot climate are reported. Berries that had developed on bunches receiving high levels of ambient light generally had the highest relative levels of quercetin-3-glucoside and a lower proportion of their malvidin anthocyanins as the coumarate derivative, compared to berries that had developed on bunches in shaded canopy conditions. The response of total anthocyanin levels to treatment conditions was variable and depended on the degree of bunch shading and the resultant berry temperature. It appears that a high degree of bunch exposure in hot climates is not conducive to optimal anthocyanin accumulation in berries. The interactive effects of light and temperature on berry phenolic content and concentration are discussed.