Fertilization of Grapevine Based on Gene Expression

Genomic prediction enables rapid selection of high-performing genets in an intermediate wheatgrass breeding program

In an era of constrained and depleted natural resources, perennial grains could provide sustainable food production along with beneficial ecosystem services like reduced erosion and increased atmospheric carbon capture. Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D. R. Dewey subsp. intermedium] has been undergoing continuous breeding for domestication to develop a perennial grain crop since the 1980s. As a perennial, IWG has required 2-5 yr per selection generation, but starting in 2017, genomic selection (GS) was initiated in the breeding program at The Land Institute, Salina, KS (TLI), enabling one complete cycle per year. For each cycle, ∼4,000 seedlings were profiled using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) were calculated. Selection based on GEBVs identified ∼100 individuals to advance as parents each generation, while validation populations of 1,000-1,200 genets for GS model training were also selected using the genomic relationship matrix to represent genetic diversity in each cycle. The selected parents were randomly intermated in a greenhouse crossing block to form the subsequent cycle, while the validation populations were transplanted to irrigated and nonirrigated field sites for phenotypic evaluations in the following years. For priority breeding traits of seed mass, free threshing, and nonshattering, correlations between predicted values and observed data were >.5. The realized selection differential ranged from 11-23% for selected traits, and the expected genetic gains for these traits, including spike yield, ranged from 6 to 14% per year. Genomic selection is a powerful tool to speed the domestication and development of IWG and other perennial crops with extended breeding timelines.

Effects of fertigation by elicitors enriched in amino acids from vegetal and animal origins on Syrah plant gas exchange and grape quality

Nutrition management of vines is a key factor that regulates production and determines grape quality. Currently, one of the main objectives of fertilization is to apply eco-friendly and balanced nutrition. In this case, fertigation is the most efficient strategy. The objective of this work was to assess the effect of innovative fertilizers on Syrah grapevines. The tested products contained an elicitor, macro- and microelements and amino acids from animal and vegetal origins. Fertilizers were applied by fertigation under field conditions in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The influence of the treatments on the grapevine gas exchange, element assimilation and oenological composition of must was evaluated. Additionally, the amino acid contents and volatile composition were determined. The results suggest that application of fertigation does not directly influence the water status of Syrah vines under the conditions of the study but can improve the gas exchange balance and N assimilation. Moreover, the leaf assimilation of Zn, Ca and, to a lesser extent, B were improved at the bloom stage, and the assimilation of Mn was improved at veraison. Small changes were observed in the basic parameters of musts, and an increase in yeast assimilable nitrogen was detected in treated vines. The aromatic profile of grape musts was enhanced in treated vines, and the elicitors enriched in vegetal amino acids could be a sustainable alternative for improving certain vegetative and grape quality parameters of Syrah.