Biochemical analysis of three red grapevine varieties during three phenological periods grown under Mediterranean climate conditions

• Published in: Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany) Vol. 26; no. 5; pp. 855 - 867
• Main Authors: Monteiro, A., Pereira, S., Bernardo, S., Gómez‐Cadenas, A., Moutinho‐Pereira, J., Dinis, L.‐T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.08.2024
• Subjects: Acidity; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - metabolism; Aragonez; Biochemical analysis; Biochemistry; Chlorophyll - metabolism; Climate; Climate Change; Climatic conditions; Colorimetry; Environmental factors; Fruit - growth & development; Fruit - metabolism; Fruits; Genetic variability; Grapevines; Mediterranean Region; phenological monitoring; Phenols; Photosynthesis - physiology; Photosynthetic pigments; Pigments; Plant Leaves - growth & development; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Seasons; Summer; Sustainable practices; tinto Cão; touriga Nacional; Vitis - growth & development; Vitis - metabolism; Vitis - physiology; Vitis vinifera L; Mediterranean Region; Vitis vinifera L; tinto Cão; Aragonez; biochemical analysis; phenological monitoring; touriga Nacional
• ISSN: 1435-8603; 1438-8677; 1438-8677
• DOI: 10.1111/plb.13671

In Mediterranean regions, severe summers are becoming more common, leading to restrictions to vine productivity and yield quality, requiring sustainable practices to support this sector. We assessed the behaviour of three red grapevine varieties from the Douro Region to examine their tolerance to summer climate stress from the perspective that the less common varieties may have potential for increased use in a climate change scenario. Leaf and fruit biochemical profile, antioxidant activity and fruit colorimetric parameters were assessed at different phenological stages in Aragonez (AR), Tinto Cão (TC) and Touriga Nacional (TN) grape varieties. All three varieties exhibit significant variability in phenological timing, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Photosynthetic pigment strategies differed among varieties. Chlorophyll content in AR was high to cope with high radiation, while TN displaying a balanced approach, and TC had lower pigment levels, with higher levels of phenolics, antioxidants, and soluble sugars, particularly during stress. The variations in berry biochemical profile highlight the distinct characteristics of the varieties. TC and TN show potential for coping with climate change, having elevated total acidity, while AR has larger and heavier berries with distinct coloration. These findings reinforce the need to study the behaviour of different varieties in each Terroir, to understand their diverse strategies to deal with summer climate stress. This will help in selecting the most suitable variety for these conditions under vineyard management in the Douro Region This research assesses the responses of red grapevines to summer stress in the Douro Valley, highlighting the importance of understanding variety‐specific responses for sustainable viticulture management, particularly in climate change scenarios.