Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In grapevine production, requirement and phosphorus (P) doses are established on the basis total P content in leaves collected, change in color of fruit and productivity. Phosphorus absorbed, can be accumulated in plant organs in organic forms as metabolically active organic P in the cytoplasm (PSO), phospholipids (PLIP), P associated with RNA and DNA (PRNA and PDNA), phosphoprotein (PRES) and inorganic P (PSI). However, in adult grapevine, production is not known satisfactorily that increase in available P content in soil can enhance P in leaves and other annual and perennial parts of plant collected at different growth stages. The study was aimed to quantify the accumulation and redistribution of P forms in grapevine throughout its production cycle and evaluate the forms of P in leaves related to production parameters and grape composition. Two experiments were performed in vineyard 1 (V1) and vineyard 2 (V2) containing 11,8 and 34,6 mg P kg-1 of soil respectively with two cultivars of grapevine Tannat and Cabernet Franc. The plants were uprooted and separated into roots, stems, branches, groins, shoots, and leaves and flowering (F), early maturation (EM), harvest (H) and dormant (D) and each plant part was analyzed for P fractions (PSI, PSO, PLIP, PRNA, PDNA and PRES). Study 2 consisting of two experiments was conducted vineyard 1 (V1) and vineyard (V2) with 16,0 and 37,0 mg P kg-1 of soil to evaluate whether P forms in leaves collected in the F and EM are related to productive and enological parameters in vines grown on soils with values of available P in both cultivars Tannat and Cabernet Franc. At harvest, production parameters, number of fruits (FN) and 100 fruits weight (FW) were measured. Part of the grapes were crushed by hand and must was analyzed the total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), total polyphenols (PF) and anthocyanins (AC). Results from study 1 show that grapevines P is preferentially accumulated in the form PSI in the leaves and bunches at F, EM and H and roots in PSO way in D. Part PSI roots is redistributed on the FL to the leaves and grapes vines grown in soil with low P availability, but on the other hand, grapevines grown in soil with high availability of P tend to redistribute least PSI from roots to leaves and bunches after F. In study 2, we found that grapevines grown in soil with high P content available soil have higher PT Tannat grapevines and higher levels of total polyphenols and anthocyanins. The total P content in leaves and their biochemical forms in leaves collected in the F and M have no relation to production parameters. But total P content in leaves at flowering and early maturation has relationship with the AC content in the Tannat grapevines. / Na adubação de produção de videiras a necessidade e a dose de fósforo (P) é estabelecida com base no teor de P total em folhas coletadas na mudança da cor das bagas e na expectativa de produtividade. O P absorvido pode ser acumulado em órgãos da planta em formas orgânicas como o P orgânico metabolicamente ativo no citoplasma (PSO), fosfolipídios (PLIP), P associado ao RNA e DNA (PRNA e PDNA), fosfoproteínas (PRES) e P inorgânico (PSI). Porém, em videiras adultas em produção não é suficientemente conhecido se o incremento do teor de P disponível no solo pode alterar a distribuição de formas de P em órgãos anuais e perenes ao longo de estágios fenológicos, assim como se as formas de P em folhas, coletadas em diferentes estágios fenológicos, podem ter relação com parâmetros produtivos e enológicos do mosto. O presente trabalho objetivou quantificar o acúmulo e a redistribuição de formas de P em videiras em produção ao longo do seu ciclo e avaliar se as formas de P em folhas possuem relação com parâmetros produtivos e composição do mosto. Foram conduzidos dois estudos. O Estudo 1 foi realizado para estimar a distribuição e redistribuição de formas de P em videiras cultivadas em solos com diferentes teores de P disponível. Os tratamentos foram vinhedo 1 (V1) com 11,8 mg P kg-1 disponível no solo e vinhedo 2 (V2) com 34,6 mg P kg-1. As videiras foram arrancadas e particionadas em raízes, caules, braços, esporões, ramos do ano, folhas e cachos, no florescimento (FL), início da maturação (IM), colheita (CO) e repouso vegetativo (RV). Os órgãos foram submetidos ao fracionamento químico de P, que estima as formas: PSI, PSO, PLIP, PRNA, PDNA e PRES. O Estudo 2 foi realizado para avaliar se formas de P em folhas coletadas no FL e IM possuem relação com parâmetros produtivos e enológicos em videiras cultivadas em solos com teores de P disponível. Esse foi composto por dois experimentos. O experimento 1 foi realizado em dois vinhedos (V1 e V2) da cultivar Tannat. O solo do V1 continha 11,8 mg P kg-1 e solo do V2 possuía 34,6 mg P kg-1. O experimento 2 foi realizado em dois vinhedos (V1 e V2) da cultivar Cabernet Franc. O solo do V1 continha 16,0 mg P kg-1 e V2 possuía 37,0 mg P kg-1. No FL e IM foram coletas folhas completas e submetidas ao fracionamento de P no tecido. Na colheita foi determinada a produtividade (PT), contado o número de bagas (NB) e determinado o peso de 100 bagas (PB). Parte das bagas foram amassadas manualmente e no mosto foi analisado os sólidos solúveis totais (SST), pH, acidez total titulável (AT), polifenóis totais (PF) e antocianinas totais (AC). Os resultados obtidos no Estudo 1 mostram que em videiras o P é acumulado preferencialmente na forma PSI nas folhas e cachos no FL, IM e CO, e nas raízes na forma PSO, no RV. Parte do PSI das raízes é redistribuído no FL para as folhas e cachos em videiras cultivadas em solo com baixa disponibilidade de P, mas, por outro lado, videiras cultivadas em solo com alta disponibilidade de P tendem a redistribuir menos PSI das raízes para as folhas e cachos após o FL. No estudo 2, verificamos que videiras cultivadas em solo com alto teor de P disponível no solo possuem maior produtividade de uvas, e videiras Tannat possuem maiores teores de polifenóis totais e antocianinas. O teor de P total em folhas e suas formas bioquímicas em folhas coletadas no FL e no IM não possuem relação com parâmetros produtivos. Mas, o teor de PTOTAL em folhas no florescimento e início da maturação possui relação com o teor de AC no mosto em videiras Tannat.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T16:44:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV10MA050.pdf: 404855 bytes, checksum: 36e6d7d5b5fb8a59d940f37f3e2de324 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-25 / Rootstocks are used primarily for pest resistance, they are a link between the soil and the scion, play an important role in vine adaption to environmental factors. Rootstocks and training systems can influence the productivity, fruit and wine composition. The objective of this study was evaluate the influence of three rootstocks and two training systems on vineyard productivity, scion growth, physical-chemical quality of fruits and wine chemical composition of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevine produced in high altitude regions of Santa Catarina State. The study was conducted in a experimental vineyard located at the city of Painel (28°01‟02 S and 50°08‟57 W, altitude 1200 m). The cultivar evaluated was Cabernet Sauvingon grafted on Paulsen 1103 (V. berlandieri x V. rupestris), Couderc 3309 and 101-14 Mgt (V. riparia x V. rupestris), the training systems evaluated were vertical shoot positioning trellis and Y trellis. The plants were five years old and the spacing was 3,0 x 1,5 m. The experiment was evaluated at the seasons 2007/08 and 2008/09. According to the results, plants grafted on 1103P and trained in vertical shoot positioning trellis have lowest yields, 3309C is the rootstock less vigorous and and acts positively on fruit set. The high productivity of Y trellis reflect negatively increasing grape acidity. The rootstocks 1103 P and 101-14 Mgt, presents the best results for grape anthocyanins contents. The wine color is not affected by the rootstocks and the training systems. Wine made with grapes from plants grafted on 1103P and trained in Y trellis have higher rates of total polyphenols index and tannins than wines made from grapes of plants trained in vertical shoot positioning trellis and grafted on 1103P. / Os porta-enxertos são usados primariamente como uma forma de resistência a pragas e doenças, eles são uma ligação entre o solo e a copa e desempenham um papel importante na adaptação da videira a fatores ambientais. Os porta-enxertos e os sistemas de condução podem influenciar na produtividade, na composição da fruta e do vinho. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de três porta-enxertos e dois sistemas de condução na produtividade do vinhedo, no crescimento da copa, na qualidade físico-química dos frutos e na composição química do vinho elaborado com a uva Cabernet Sauvignon, produzida nas regiões de altitude, do estado de Santa Catarina. O experimento foi conduzido em um vinhedo experimental da Epagri - Estação Experimental de São Joaquim, localizada no município de Painel (28°01‟02 S e 50°08‟57 O, altitude 1.200m). O trabalho foi executado com a variedade Cabernet Sauvignon, enxertado sobre Paulsen 1103 (Vitis berlandieri x Vitis rupestris), Couderc 3309 (Vitis riparia x Vitis rupestris) e 101-14 Mgt (Vitis riparia x Vitis rupestris), em dois sistemas de condução, espaldeira e manjedoura, com cinco anos de plantio, no espaçamento de 3,0 x 1,5 m. O experimento foi avaliado nas safras 2007/08 e 2008/09. De acordo com os resultados obtidos conclui-se que plantas enxertadas em 1103P e conduzidas em espaldeira apresentam as menores produtividades, 3309C é o porta-enxerto menos vigoroso e atua de forma positiva na frutificação efetiva. A produtividade elevada do sistema manjedoura reflete de forma negativa no aumento da acidez da uva. Os porta-enxertos 1103 P e 101-14 Mgt, apresentam os melhores resultados para antocianinas das uvas. A cor dos vinhos não é afetada pelos porta-enxertos e pelos sistemas de condução. Vinhos elaborados com frutos de plantas enxertadas em 1103P e conduzidas em manjedoura apresentaram maiores índices de polifenóis totais e taninos do que os vinhos originados de uvas de plantas conduzidas em espaldeira e enxertadas em 1103P

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T16:44:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV14MA154.pdf: 838575 bytes, checksum: 1ddc3528cf3bc228191e87bd98d4719f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-08 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The use of rootstocks in viticulture emerged in Europe in the late nineteenth century, in order to protect European grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.)from phylloxera. As a consequence, the study of the influence of rootstocks on wine and oenological characteristics of the scion has become increasingly important, since there is no other way to avoid the attack of phylloxera. Viticulture in the South Highlands of Santa Catarina State is a recent activity when compared to the main wine regions, technical and scientific information about combinations of rootstocks and canopy varieties best suited to the conditions environment of the region. This purpose of this thesis was to evaluate de performance of Merlot variety grafted onto three rootstocks, and grown in three different altitudes of highlands of Santa Catarina State. The study was conducted in two commercial vineyards located in the counties of São Joaquim (1.300 m) and Urubici (1.150 m). The vineyard was established in 2004, spacing 1,5 x 3,0 m, with vines trained to one trunk and bilateral cordons and winter-pruned to two bud spurs per vine. Shoots were positioned in a Y-shaped trellis system. Merlot grapevines grafted onto 1103P, 3309C and 101-14 were evaluated during 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 cycles, according to the following variables: phenology, production, vigor, technological and phenolic ripening. Besides that, the phenolic and chromatic compositions of the wines were evaluated by spectrophotometer. The results reveal that Merlot vines grafted onto 101-14 and 3309C showed an anticipation of 5 days in São Joaquim and 3 days in Urubici, in the occurrence of véraison compared to vines combined with 1103P. This anticipation conferred a greater GDD accumulation until harvest. The Merlot variety grafted onto 3309C and 101-14 produced the lowest number of canes per meter of canopy, and 3309C produced the largest number of cluster per shoot. When grafted on 1103P, Merlot produced the lowest number of cluster per shoot the larger leaf area and higher chlorophyll content per area unit of leaf. In Urubici, Merlot had yielded the highest fruit load in plants grafted on 101-14. The increase in production was associated with increased physical characteristics of clusters. Rootstocks that induced low vigor as 3309 and 101-14, advanced the technology maturation. The rootstock 101-14 was related to higher accumulation of anthocyanins in grapes and wines. Chromatic characteristics related to the color of anthocyanins was also higher in wines from Merlot grafted onto 101-14 / O uso de portaenxertos na viticultura surgiu na Europa, no final do século XIX, com a finalidade de controlar a filoxera, principal praga que ataca a videira européia (Vitis vinifera L.). Como consequência, o estudo da influência dos portaenxertos sobre as características vitícolas e enológicas das variedades copa tem se tornado cada vez mais importante. A vitivinicultura do Planalto Sul de Santa Catarina é uma atividade recente, quando comparada às regiões tradicionais de produção de uvas destinadas à elaboração de vinhos finos, carecendo de informações técnico-científicas a respeito de combinações entre portaenxertos e variedades copa que melhor se adaptem às condições ambientais da região. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho viti-enológico da variedade Merlot produzida sobre três portaenxertos e em dois municípios de elevadas altitudes de Santa Catarina. O estudo foi realizado em vinhedos comerciais localizados nos municípios de São Joaquim (1.300 m) e em Urubici (1.150 m). O plantio foi realizado em 2004, com espaçamento 1,5 x 3,0 m, e as plantas foram conduzidas em cordão duplo, com poda em esporões de duas gemas. Os ramos do ano foram conduzidos no sistema de sustentação em Y . As plantas da variedade Merlot em combinação com os portaenxertos 1103P, 3309C e 101-14, foram avaliadas durante os ciclos 2012/2013 e 2013/2014, quanto às seguintes variáveis: ciclo fenológico, produtividade, vigor, maturação tecnológica e fenólica. Além disso, a composição fenólica e cromática dos vinhos, provenientes de cada combinação, foram avaliadas por métodos de espectrofotometria. Os resultados revelaram que as plantas Merlot enxertada sobre 101-14 e 3309C apresentaram uma antecipação média de 5 dias em São Joaquim e 3 dias em Urubici, na ocorrência da mudança de cor das bagas, quando comparadas às plantas combinadas com 1103P. Esta antecipação possibilitou um maior acúmulo de soma térmica (GDD) até a data da colheita. Quando enxertada em 3309C e 101-14, a variedade Merlot produziu os menores números de ramos por metro linear de dossel, e em 3309C produziu o maior número de cachos por ramo. Quando enxertada sobre 1103P, produziu o menor número de cachos por ramo, a maior área foliar e o maior teor de clorofila nas folhas. Em Urubici, obteve-se maior produção de carga de frutos em plantas enxertadas sobre 101-14. O aumento da produção esteve relacionado com o aumento das características físicas do cacho. Portaenxertos que induziram baixo vigor, como 3309C e 101-14, adiantaram a maturação tecnológica. O portaenxerto 101-14 esteve relacionado ao maior acúmulo de antocianinas nas uvas e nos vinhos. As características cromáticas relacionadas à cor das antocianinas também foi maior nos vinhos da combinação de Merlot com 101-14

La vigne est une culture pérenne sensible à de nombreux bioagresseurs et sur laquelle il est nécessaire de réaliser de nombreux traitements pesticides, susceptibles de causer des problèmes environnementaux, de santé humaine et d’apparition de résistance au sein des populations de bioagresseurs. Aujourd’hui, il est indispensable de développer des stratégies nouvelles de lutte contre les bioagresseurs, plus raisonnées mais permettant de conserver une viticulture compétitive. L’utilisation de produits de biocontrôle semble, en ce sens, être une approche prometteuse permettant d’allier agriculture durable et intensive.Deux écoproduits généralistes à fort potentiel ont été identifiés, comme possédant des actions intéressantes sur les principales maladies cryptogamiques de la vigne. Le premier est un extrait naturel de plante, sans action fongicide directe mais capable de stimuler efficacement et de façon systémique les défenses de la plante. Le second, quant à lui, est un microorganisme qui possède une forte action antagoniste fongicide, mais aussi la capacité à stimuler les défenses de plante. Dans un premier temps, des études en conditions contrôlées ont mis en évidence l’efficacité des deux actifs pour inhiber le développement de diverses souches d’Erysiphe necator, Plasmopara viticola, Botrytis cinerea et Botryosphaeriaceae. En parallèle, des expérimentations au vignoble, ont confirmé le fort potentiel de ces produits de biocontrôle, avec des bonnes efficacités, particulièrement stable avec l’extrait naturel. Ces différentes études nous ont permis d’identifier et d’élaborer des stratégies d’utilisation pour ces deux produits de biocontrôle. / Grapevine is a perennial crop sensitive to many fungal pathogens that require numerous pesticide treatments. However, its uses lead to environmental, human health and fungicide resistance problems. Developing sustainable pest management strategies while keeping a good wine quality is of major importance. In this sense, the use of bio-pesticides products seems to be a promising approach to combine sustainable and intensive agriculture.Two generalist bio-pesticides of great potential have been preliminary identified, forits actions on major fungal diseases of grapevine. The first one is a natural plant extract, with no direct fungicide action but able to systemically stimulate plant defenses. The second one is a microorganism showing strong antagonist fungicide actions, and important ability to stimulate plant defenses. First, the studies conducted in controlled conditions have demonstrated the effectiveness of both products in the suppression of various isolates of Erysiphe necator, Plasmopara viticola, Botrytis cinerea and Botryosphaeriaceae. In parallel,the good efficiencies of these products have been confirmed during vineyard assays. This was especially well demonstrated for the natural extract. As a whole, these studies confirm thepotential of these two products as promising bio-pesticides, of which the strategy of application have been further defined.

La vigne est soumise à la pression de nombreux bioagresseurs dont des parasites obligatoires tels que l’oïdium et le mildiou. La lutte contre les maladies causées par les pathogènes biotrophes nécessite une utilisation souvent intensive de fongicides. Le vignoble consomme à lui seul 16% des fongicides commercialisés chaque année en France. Pour réduire leur impact environnemental qui conduit à l’acquisition de la résistance aux pesticides des pathogène et la présence de résidus dans les vins et dans l’atmosphère, des efforts doivent être entrepris pour développer des stratégies de protection innovante de remplacement ou complémentaire permettant de réduire les intrants pesticides.Les stimulateurs des défenses des plantes permettent de limiter le développement des bioagresseurs en conditions contrôlées. Toutefois, leurs efficacités in natura sont variables et souvent décevantes. Suite au grand nombre de produits potentiellement stimulateurs des défenses des plantes, et à l’intérêt que leur portent les viticulteurs, il est nécessaire de disposer de connaissances et d’outils qui permettent d’évaluer leus efficacités et mieux connaitre leurs potentiels de protection du vignoble. Pour ce faire, une méthode d’évaluation de l’efficacité de produits potentialisateurs ou éliciteurs a été développée au niveau biologique, moléculaire (expression de gènes impliqués dans les défenses) et biochimique (analyses qualitatives et quantitatives des polyphénols), nommée "BioMolChem". Cette méthode a permis d’évaluer l’efficacité de deux phosphonates et d’un analogue de l’acide salicylique, sur différents génotypes et phénotypes de mildiou de la vigne et d’oïdium. Cette approche méthodologique "BioMolChem" a permis d’établir des corrélations entre l’expression de gènes de défense, la présence de certains stilbènes et une efficacité des défenses de Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon vis-à-vis de l’oïdium et du mildiou. Les modifications des patrons d’expression des 19 gènes suivis dans les feuilles de vigne et les profils HPLC de polyphénols révèlent des mécanismes de défense multigéniques et complexes. Ainsi, les réactions de défense de la plante sont-elles modulées, en fonction de l’éliciteur considéré, mais aussi en fonction de la diversité phénotypique et génétique des agents pathogènes contre lesquels elle se défend. Ces défenses se caractérisent par une sur-expression d’un ensemble de gènes de défense et une accumulation de composés phénoliques spécifiques.Les marqueurs (gènes et molécules) ainsi identifiés, la méthode "BioMolChem" a été appliquée in natura et a conforté, pour partie, les résultats obtenus au laboratoire. Dans des conditions de fortes pressions parasitaires, il est donc possible de protéger les feuilles et les grappes, à l’aide de SDP et des essais d’association ou d’alternance avec des fongicides conventionnels montrent l’intérêt potentiel de l’emploi des SDP au vignoble. Chemin faisant, dans le cadre d’une viticulture innovante et durable, les SDP et la méthode "BioMolChem" ont été appliqués sur des génotypes hybrides (Vitis vinifera x Muscadinia rotundifolia). Nous révélons que selon le niveau de résistance intrinsèque des génotypes (plus ou moins résistants à l’oïdium et au mildiou), il est possible d’augmenter le niveau de la résistance exprimée par élicitation. Ainsi, les SDP pourraient-ils s’avérer des alliés d’intérêt pour l’utilisation de variétés partiellement résistantes et limiter potentiellement le contournement des QTL de résistance. L’ensemble de ce travail, à but appliqué, a conduit à l’obtention de résultats qui nous permettent de mieux comprendre comment la vigne réagit aux SDP dans son environnement agronomique. Leur exploitation et leur finalisation devraient nous permettre d’exploiter et de mettre en place une utilisation des éliciteurs mieux adaptée, à des stratégies alternatives ou complémentaires de la gestion des bioagresseurs de la vigne. / Powdery (Erysiphe necator) and downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) are very important grapevine diseases (Vitis vinifera). These two biotrophic pathogens, which are native to the United States, infect green vine tissues and cause significant economic loss as well as environmental damage through the repetitive applications of fungicides. To reduce their environmental impact efforts should be made to develop strategies to protect innovative alternative or complementary to reduce pesticide inputs.In this study, the efficacy and the role of Benzothiadiazole (BTH), a salicylic acid analogue, and two phosphonate derivatives strengthen plant defence mechanisms against various isolates of downy and powdery mildews (Plasmopara viticola and Erysiphe necator). These compounds showed differences in their efficacy depending on the variability of mildews and highly dependent on plant genetics, environmental conditions and selection pressure. The plant defense stimulation could be an alternative or additional method to traditional pest management in the grapevine.Tools “BioMolChem” were developed to better assess the defence status of the plant defences in vitro and in natura. Transcript kinetics of selected defence-related genes and polyphenol contents profiles, during Vitis vinifera-biotrophic pathogen interaction, were characterized, and the impact of pathogen diversity was investigated in the absence or presence of elicitation. In vineyard, under strong pathogen pressures, it is thus possible to protect leaves and clusters, with SDP and assays of association or alternation with conventional fungicides show the potential interest of the use of these SDP in the vineyard.The grapevine defense mechanisms are complex, depending on the elicitor, leading to the coordinated accumulation of pathogenesis-related proteins (PR), the production of phytoalexins, and the reinforcement of plant cell walls.On the way, within the framework of an innovative and sustainable viticulture, the SDP was applied to hybrid genotypes (V. vinifera x M. rotundifolia). We reveal that according to the level of intrinsic resistance of the genotypes (more or less resistant to powdery and to downy mildew), it is possible to increase the level of the expressed resistance. The SDP could become allies of interest in the use of partially resistant grapevine varieties.The present findings provide insights into the potential use of transcripts and stilbenes as markers of the defense status of grapevine leaves with or without elicitation or infection, which should allow us to exploit and develop a better use of elicitors in alternative or complementary strategies in grapevine pest management.

Les variétés traditionnelles de vigne nécessitent de très nombreux traitements phytosanitaires pour lutter contre les maladies cryptogamiques qui touchent leurs parties herbacées, comme le mildiou et l’oïdium, causés par Plasmopara viticola et Erysiphe necator respectivement. Ces traitements, coûteux et préjudiciables pour l'environnement, pourraient être réduits par l’emploi de variétés résistantes. La vigne cultivée européenne (Vitis vinifera, 2n=38) est très sensible au mildiou et à l'oïdium. En conséquence, la résistance doit être introduite à partir d’autres Vitaceae ayant un niveau de résistance plus élevé à ces maladies. Plusieurs origines de résistance ont déjà été observées et inventoriées, en particulier chez l’espèce d’origine américaine Muscadinia rotundifolia (2n=40). Ces facteurs sont d'un intérêt majeur pour la sélection de variétés résistantes. Cependant, lors du processus d'introgression, des difficultés à obtenir des pépins viables en F1 ainsi que des anomalies phénotypiques dans les descendances en rétrocroisement ont été constatées. Afin d’optimiser la gestion des résistances provenant de cette espèce dans les programmes d’amélioration variétale, il est nécessaire de comprendre l’organisation génétique et génomique de M. rotundifolia, et de compléter la connaissance des facteurs de résistance issus de cette espèce. Dans ce contexte, les objectifs de la thèse sont : (i) de réaliser une analyse comparative des génomes de V. vinifera et M. rotundifolia et (ii) d’identifier de nouveaux facteurs de résistance chez M. rotundifolia utilisables à terme en sélection. Pour cela, une carte génétique de M. rotundifolia a été développée à partir d’une population de 200 individus issue de l’autofécondation de M. rotundifolia cv. Regale. Parallèlement, la même population a été testée pour son niveau de résistance au mildiou et à l’oïdium. Une carte génétique couvrant 950 cM a été réalisée. Elle comprend 191 marqueurs microsatellites répartis sur les 20 chromosomes de M. rotundifolia, et permet de conclure à un niveau de macrosynténie très élevé avec V. vinifera. Le groupe de liaison 20 de M. rotundifolia correspondrait à la partie inférieure du groupe de liaison 7 de V. vinifera. Par ailleurs, un QTL de résistance au mildiou a été détecté sur le groupe de liaison 18 de M. rotundifolia, au niveau d’une région riche en gènes de type NBS-LRR, et un nouveau QTL de résistance majeur à la l’oïdium a été mis en évidence sur le groupe de liaison 14 de M. rotundifolia. Ce QTL, nommé Ren5 pour ‘Resistance to Erysiphe necator 5’, montre une action précoce dans l’arrêt de la croissance du mycélium du pathogène, dès l’établissement des premiers stades de biotrophie du champignon. De plus, le QTL Ren5 a été confronté à deux souches supplémentaires d’E. necator, appartenant aux deux groupes d’oïdium retrouvés dans vignobles européens, contre lesquelles il reste efficace. Les données de cartographie génétique générées pour M. rotundifolia dans ce travail, ainsi que la mise en évidence de Ren5 et de son mode d’action, permettront d’améliorer la gestion des facteurs de résistance issus de cette espèce pour la sélection de variétés résistantes au mildiou et à l’oïdium. / Grapevine requires numerous harmful plant-health treatments, in particular to control downy and powdery mildews, caused by Plasmopara viticola and Erysiphe necator, respectively. One way to reduce the use of fungicides in viticulture is to create resistant grapevine cultivars. European cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera, 2n=38) is susceptible to mildews, whereas related species such as Muscadinia rotundifolia (2n=40) exhibit high levels of resistance. In breeding programs, resistance factors from these related species are introduced into the susceptible elite varieties. Nevertheless, difficulties in obtaining viable seeds in the siblings of Vitis x Muscadinia crosses are observed. In order to optimize the management of resistance factors from M. rotundifolia in breeding programs, it is necessary to understand the genomic organisation of this species, and to complete the knowledge of these factors. Thus, the main objectives of this work are : (i) making a comparative analysis of V. vinifera and M. rotundifolia genomes and (ii) identifying new resistance factors from M. rotundifolia. For this purpose a framework genetic map of M. rotundifolia cv. Regale has been created, using a 200 individual S1 population. This population has also been screened for its resistance to downy and powdery mildew. A 950 cM genetic map has been generated, including 191 SSR markers distributed across the 20 chromosomes of M. rotundifolia. A high level of macrosynteny has been observed between the Muscadinia map and the genetic maps available for V. vinifera. Linkage group (LG) 20 of M. rotundifolia matches with the lower part of V. vinifera LG7. Furthermore, a QTL for resistance to downy mildew has been identified on M. rotundifolia LG18, and a major QTL for resistance to powdery mildew has been mapped on LG14. The latest, called Ren5 for ‘Resistance to Erysiphe necator 5’, acts during an early stage to stop E. necator’s mycelium growth, since the first stages of biotrophy have been established for the fungus. Moreover, Ren5 has been confronted to two additional powdery mildew strains, belonging to the two European groups of E. necator, and it remained efficient. Gathering knowledge about the genetic organization of M. rotundifolia, and the mechanism and spectrum of action of newly identified resistance factors such as Ren5, will be useful to optimize the management of M. rotundifolia resistance traits in breeding programs aiming to create new resistant varieties to downy and powdery mildews

Thesis (PhD(Agric))--Stellenbosch University, 2012 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Field spectroscopy was used to study leaf composition and selected factors (including canopy growth manipulation and water status changes) that may impact on it in a Vitis vinifera cv. Shiraz vineyard, showing considerable variability in vigour. Temporal and spatial variability in leaf composition were incorporated into measurements by analysing leaves in different shoot positions and at different developmental stages during three different growing seasons. Irrigation and canopy manipulation treatments were also imposed in order to provide new insights into assessing the grapevine leaf and possibly also the canopy growth and ageing dynamics as well as pigment content, as a basis of executing a generally non-destructive measurement approach. Despite large climatic differences between the seasons, canopy size seemed of crucial importance in determining grapevine water relations in the grapevines from the different canopy manipulation treatments. Drastic compensation effects in terms of secondary shoot growth also followed the canopy reduction treatment. Despite this, canopy microclimate was apparently improved, considering the results from light measurements as well as the ripening dynamics in the reduced canopies. Reduced canopies also seemed to display a different canopy composition, in favour of secondary growth. This could have impacted positively on water use efficiency as well as ripening, due to higher photosynthetic efficiency of these leaves during the ripening stages. The reduced canopy treatments offered the possibility of attaining technological ripeness at an earlier stage and at comparatively lower potential alcohol levels. This study illustrated the relevance of considering the vegetative development of the grapevine, along with leaf ageing in the canopy, when conducting calibrated non-destructive measurements of leaf pigments, structure and water content. The relevance of using multivariate techniques in leaf spectroscopy was shown. This can be applied and simplified to aid in non-destructive leaf pigment, structure and water content estimation in future studies. Even with the general variation encountered in this vineyard, predictions of the major pigments in grapevine leaves were within acceptable error margins. Further work is required to improve the modelling of xanthophylls, which may require non-linear multivariate techniques. Logistical shoot growth modelling was used in leaf age estimation and classification, which made it possible to simplify statistical analysis of the leaf parameters mentioned. Practical application of the modelled and predicted parameters was shown for a specific period in season two by comparing the reaction of different treatments to developing water deficits. The results indicated that several parameters, with special mention of the carotenoid:chlorophyll ratio and chlorophyll a:b ratio, can be monitored on young and old leaves in the canopy in order to monitor developing water deficit stress. The modelled parameters, however, did not seem to be sensitive enough to allow specific prediction of predawn leaf water potential values. Specific leaf mass, equivalent water thickness, total specific leaf mass as well as leaf chronological age were successfully predicted from leaf spectral absorbance data, and this may be useful in future work on quantifying leaf adaptation to the micro-environment within the canopy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Veldspektroskopie is gebruik om blaarsamestelling en spesifieke faktore (insluitend lowergroei manipulasie en waterstatus veranderinge) wat ‘n impak kan hê in ‘n Vitis vinifera cv. Shiraz wingerd, met beduidende variasie in groeikrag, te ondersoek. Ruimtelike, asook tydsgebonde, variasie in blaarsamestelling is geïnkorporeer in die metings deur blare van verskillende lootposisies en vir verskillende ontwikkelingstadia gedurende drie verskillende groeiseisoene te meet. Besproeiings- en lowermanipulasie behandelings is ook uitgevoer om die dinamiek van blaar- en lowergroei, veroudering, asook pigmentinhoud te bestudeer binne die konteks van die uitvoering van ‘n nie-destruktiewe meetstrategie. Ondanks groot klimaatsverskille tussen die seisoene, blyk lowergrootteverskille belangrik te wees in die bepaling van wingerdstok-waterverhoudings in die verskillende lowermanipulasie behandelings. Drastiese kompensasiereaksies ten opsigte van sylootgroei is waargeneem in reaksie op die gereduseerde lowerbehandeling. Indien die resultate van ligmetings en druifrypwording in die gereduseerde lowerbehandeling in ag geneem word, is lowermikroklimaat egter steeds verbeter. Hierdie behandeling het oënskynlik ook veranderde lowersamestelling gehad, tot voordeel van sylootgroei. Dit kon moontlik ‘n positiewe invloed gehad het op waterverbruikseffektiwiteit asook druifrypwording, as gevolg van moontlike hoër fotosintetiese effektiwiteit van die blare gedurende die rypwordingstadia. Die gereduseerde lowerbehandeling het die moontlikheid gebied om tegnologiese rypheid by ‘n vroeër datum te bereik, met moontlike laer alkoholvlakke in die wyn. Hierdie studie het die belangrikheid beklemtoon om die vegetatiewe ontwikkeling van die wingerdstok in ag te neem wanneer gekalibreerde nie-destruktiewe metings van blaarpigmente, blaarstruktuur asook waterinhoud onderneem word. Die belang van multi-variant meettegnieke in blaarspektroskopie is aangetoon. Dit kan verder vereenvoudig word ter ondersteuning van niedestruktiewe meting van blaarpigment, -struktuur en -waterinhoudsbepaling in toekomstige studies. Selfs met die variasie wat in die wingerd voorgekom het, was die voorspellings van die vlakke van die belangrikste pigmente wat in wingerdblare aangetref word binne aanvaanbare foutgrense. Opvolgwerk is nodig om die modellering van xanthofil te verbeter, aangesien dit moontlik nielineêre multi-variant analise mag benodig. Logistiese groeimodellering is gebruik om blaarouderdom te bepaal en te klassifiseer, wat dit moontlik gemaak het om statistiese analise te vereenvoudig vir die genoemde blaarparameters. Die praktiese toepassing van die gemodelleerde en voorspelde parameters is aangetoon vir ‘n spesifieke gedeelte in seisoen twee, deur die reaksie van verskillende behandelings op toenemende watertekorte te bestudeer. Resultate het aangetoon dat verskeie parameters, met spesifieke klem op die karotenoïed:chlorofil verhouding, asook die chlorofil a:b verhouding, gemoniteer kan word op jong en ouer blare in die lower ten einde ontwikkelende waterstrestoestande te identifiseer. Die gemodelleerde parameters was egter klaarblyklik nie sensitief genoeg vir akkurate voorspelling van voorsonsopkoms-waterpotensiaalvlakke nie. Spesifieke blaarmassa, ekwivalente waterdikte, totale spesifieke blaarmassa, sowel as blaarouderdom kon suksesvol voorspel word deur gebruik te maak van absorpsieblaarspektroskopie, wat nuttig kan wees in toekomstige studies wat handel oor die kwantifisering van blaaraanpassing by die mikro-omgewing binne ‘n wingerdlower.

Thesis (MScAgric (Viticulture and Oenology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine water status is considered to be the most important factor limiting plant growth and production in the Mediterranean zones. In these regions with limited summer rainfall and limited water resources for irrigation grapevines may experience water deficits for an extended period of time. The demand of water for agriculture is constantly increasing, and will continue to do so due to the rise in the world population and to the effects of climate change on rainfall and evaporative demand in these regions. The Western Cape wine region is also classified as Mediterranean and grapevines grown in this region are often exposed to water “stress” conditions due to high evaporative demand and low water availability in the soil. Plant water status of grapevines may dependent on, amongst other factors, the water potential of soil layers close to the root system, canopy size and evaporative demand. The canopy size of a grapevine can inherently be seen as a measure of grapevine vigour, and vigour variation among grapevines within a vineyard is a common phenomenon in the Western Cape. The importance of the contributions from several factors causing vigour variation within vineyards is still a subject of debate. This may be largely ascribed to the significant amount of variability in vineyards that researchers have to deal with during viticultural studies. However, the recent advances in remote sensing technology have established new methods to assess grapevine vigour variability. In the face of the recognized variation within vineyards and the importance of a sustained grapevine water status, for wine grape productivity and -quality, it is alarming to think that a vineyard block is generally managed as a homogeneous entity when it comes to irrigation scheduling. What is more alarming is the assumption that grape, juice and wine quality will be homogeneous throughout a vineyard block – even without irrigation. With this in mind, a study was conducted to study the interaction between grapevine vigour and grapevine water status within a commercial vineyard with variable vigour by implementing various irrigation regimes. Vigour variation was identified through multispectral aerial imagery and plant-based water status determinants were used to assess grapevine water status in plots of differing vigour within the vineyard. Soil water status was also assessed, and vegetative growth quantified to ultimately determine the variability in vigour and its possible contribution to the variability through the water status of the plant. Reproductive growth was monitored continually before evaluating the effect of water status and grapevine vigour on grape composition and subsequent wine quality. The various methods used to evaluate grapevine vigour showed good correspondence. Pruning mass measured at the end of the season confirmed leaf area measurement (main leaves and lateral leaves) during vegetative growth, and corresponded well, in terms of main vigour classifications with the NDVI images collected. Berry weight and volume responded to the various classifications, with a decrease in water deficits from one classification to the next accompanying an increase in berry weight and volume. Analyses of the berry composition and wines showed statistically significant differences between the classifications. This was found for sugar content per berry, total phenols, total red pigment, malic acid, nitrogen and pH for the grape juice analyses. Wine pH and total acidity also differed significantly. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die Mediterreense sones word plantwaterstatus beskou as `n hooffaktor wat groei en produksie van `n wingerdstok negatief beinvloed. In hierdie sones kan wingerdstokke vir lang periodes `n tekort aan water ervaar a.g.v `n tekort aan reënwater gedurende die somer en lae beskikbaarheid van besproeingswater. Die vraag na water vir landbou is ook konstant besig om toe te neem in dié sones en die tendens sal voorduur a.g.v die groei in die wêreldbevolking, die effek van klimaatsveranderig op reënvalpatrone en die hoë verdampingsfaktor. Die wingerd- en wynstreek van die Wes-Kaap word ook geklassifiseer as Mediterreens en wingerdstokke in hierdie streek ervaar dikwels waterspanning wat deur hoë evapotranspirasie en min beskikbare grondwater veroorsaak word. Van die faktore wat die waterstatus van `n wingerdstok bepaal is onder andere die waterpotensiaal van die grondlae rondom die wortelstelsel, die grootte van die wingerdlowerraamwerk en die evapotranspirasiebehoefte. Die omvang van `n wingerdstok se lower binne die prieel word beskou as `n aanduiding van wingerdstokgroeikrag en variasie in groeikrag tussen wingerdstokke is `n algemene verskynsel in die Wes-Kaap. Die rangorde, wat die effek van die verskeie faktore wat groeikragvariasie tussen wingerdstokke bepaal, word steeds gedebatteer. Die debat kan groottendeels toegeskryf word aan die beduidende hoeveelheid variasie tussen wingerde waarmee navorsers te doen kry in wingerdkundige studies. Hoewel, met onlangse vordering aangaande afstandswaarnemingstegnologie is daar nou nuwe metodes beskikbaar om wingerdgroeikrag te evalueer. Dit is kommerwekend om te dink dat `n wyndruifwingerd normaalweg as `n homogene eenheid bestuur word as dit kom by besproeiing. Veral met die wete dat groeikragvariasie tussen wingerde algemeen erken en aangeteken word, en dat volhoubare waterstatus van `n wingerdstok van kardinale belang is vir produksie en kwaliteit van wyndruiwe. Die aanname dat wyndruiwe, die sap- en ook wynkwaliteit homogeen sal wees regdeur `n wingerdblok is egter meer kommerwekkend. Na aanvang van dié denke is daar `n studie geloods om die interaksie tussen wingerdstokgroeikrag en wingerdstokwaterstatus te evalueer. Met die studie is verskeie besproeiingsregimes aangebring binne `n kommersiële wingerd wat interne groeikragvariasie tentoonstel. Groeikragvariasie was geïdentifiseer deur middel van multispektrale lugfotos terwyl die wingerdstok se waterstatus geëvalueer is met behulp van plantgebaseerde metings in die verskillende groeikragareas. Die waterstatus van die grond is geëvalueer tesame met die vegetatiewe groei van die wingerd sodat die groeikragvariasie en die invloed van die plantwaterstatus op die groeikrag bepaal kon word. Die reproduktiewe groei is deurlopend gemonitor voor die effek van wingerdstokwaterstatus en wingerdstokgroeikrag op druifsamestelling en wynkwaliteit bepaal is. Daar was `n goeie ooreenkoms tussen die verskeie metodes wat gebruik is om wingerdgroeikrag te bepaal. Snoeimassa aan die einde van die seisoen was ooreenkomstig met die blaaroppervakte (hooflootblare en sylootblare) wat tydens vegetatiewe groei gemeet is, en het ook goed korreleer, met die multispektrale lugfotos se hoof groeikragklassifikasie. Korrelgewig en -volume het reageer op die verskeie besproeiingsregimes, en daar was `n toename in korrelgewig en -volume saam met die afname in watertekort van een regime tot `n ander. Daar was beduidende verskille tussen die verskeie klassifikasies t.o.v. korrelsamestelling analise en wynevaluasie. Die suikerinhoud per korrel, totale fenole, totale rooi pigment, appelsuur, stikstof en pH het verskil in druiwesap analises. Die pH en suur van die wyne het ook beduidend verskil.

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2017-03-14T16:25:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Leilson Lopes Santos Silva.pdf: 648009 bytes, checksum: 3453befdc26841cf0fe7cf84e0463cf2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-14T16:25:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Leilson Lopes Santos Silva.pdf: 648009 bytes, checksum: 3453befdc26841cf0fe7cf84e0463cf2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-23 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The grape variety of Italy is the main table grapes exported by Brazil mainly in the region of the São Francisco, but has major problems that arise after the harvest, among them is the rot. Among several agents of rot in grapes is of alternaria rot caused by Alternaria alternata which has caused great losses to producers and consumers. Objective was to verify the influence of different concentrations of inoculum (103, 104, 105,106 e 107 conídios/mL), wet period (0, 12, 24, 36 e 48 h) and temperature (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 e 35ºC) on the development of two isolates of A. alternata grape var. Italy, in addition to possible physical-chemical changes (pH, TSS, TA and ascorbic acid) in grape. Bunches of grape apparently free of disease in commercial maturation stage were inoculated by two most aggressive isolates were selected for the test of aggression, with 10μL of suspensão A. alternata, and concentration of 106 conidia/mL showed the greatest lesion size, no significant difference between different periods of wetness and temperature of 25°C favored the development of rot and temperature 10°C is recommended for storage for seven days without affecting the physical-chemical and providing the decrease in disease severity. / A variedade de uva Itália é a principal uva fina de mesa exportada pelo Brasil principalmente na Região do Vale do São Francisco, mas possui grandes problemas que se apresentam após a colheita, entre eles se encontra as podridões. Entre vários agentes de podridões em uva se encontra a podridão de alternaria causada por Alternaria alternata que tem provocado grandes perdas aos produtores e consumidores. O objetivo do trabalho foi de verificar a influência de diferentes concentrações de inóculo (103, 104, 105, 106 e 107 conídios/mL), do período de molhamento (0, 12, 24, 36 e 48 h) e da temperatura (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 e 35ºC) sobre o desenvolvimento de dois isolados de A. alternata em uva var. Itália, além das possíveis alterações físico-químicas (pH, SST, AT e ácido ascórbico) nos cachos. Os cachos de uva aparentemente livre de doenças em estádio de maturação comercial foram inoculados por dois isolados mais agressivos, selecionados pelo teste de agressividade, com 10μL da suspensão de A. alternata, sendo que a concentração de 106 conídios/mL foi a que apresentou maior tamanho de lesão, não houve diferença significativa (ao nível de 5%) entre os diferentes períodos de molhamento e a temperatura em torno 25ºC favoreceu ao desenvolvimento da podridão e a temperatura ao redor 10ºC é recomendada para armazenamento durante sete dias sem afetar as características físico-químicas e proporcionando a diminuição da severidade da doença

Molybdenum experiments: In Australia young Merlot vines sometimes suffer from vegetative disorders such as slow, zigzagged growth and leaf distortion. Merlot is also particularly known as a low- and inconsistent-yielding grape variety. Previous research showed that when foliar applications of molybdenum (Mo) were applied to Merlot vines the vegetative symptoms improved. More recently, when sodium molybdate was applied to Mo-deficient Merlot, yield improved; a function of increased bunch weight brought about by bigger berries. It has also been reported that at high concentrations, molybdenum might be detrimental to yield. Experiments were conducted on own-rooted Merlot (clone D3V14) vines in commercial vineyards in the Adelaide Hills (Hills) and at McLaren Vale, South Australia. Effects of molybdenum deficiency on the vegetative growth and yield of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot: The aims of the current study were to: a) elucidate the mechanism by which molybdenum affects yield of Merlot; b) to monitor the effects of Mo-treatment on the balance between vine reproductive and vegetative growth; c) to monitor the residual effects of Mo-treatment on growth and yield of Merlot and; d) to determine whether high concentrations of molybdenum are detrimental to yield. Three rates of sodium molybdate were applied to vines in springtime (control = 0g, rate 1 = 0.101g and rate 2 = 0.202g sodium molybdate per vine). Vine molybdenum status was measured prior to treatment and again at flowering time using petiole, shoot tip and inflorescence analysis. The effects on vegetative growth were monitored at veraison, during dormancy and at budburst in the seasons following Mo-treatment. At flowering time, pollen vitality, pollen tube growth and flower structure were examined. Bunch number per vine, fruitset, berry weight and berry composition were measured at harvest. In the Hills, the controls had adequate molybdenum however, at McLaren Vale petiolar molybdenum concentration fell within the suggested deficiency range of 0.05-0.09 mg/kg in the petioles at flowering time. No visual symptoms of Mo-deficiency were observed on the experimental vines. At McLaren Vale, Mo-treatment reduced pruning weight and improved vine balance. Mo-treated vines in the Hills and at McLaren Vale were affected by delayed budburst in the season following Mo-treatment irrespective of their Mo-status. However, no seasonal carryover of molybdenum could be detected in tissue analysis at flowering time. Juice total soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity were not affected by Mo-treatment at McLaren Vale or in the Hills. However, juice from Mo-treated vines in the Hills had a significantly higher concentration of molybdenum than the controls. At McLaren Vale there was no significant difference in juice molybdenum concentration between treatments. In the Hills, yield was not affected by Mo-treatment. However, Mo-treated vines at McLaren Vale had significantly higher yields (approximately double) than the Mo-deficient controls. Bunch number per vine was not affected by Mo-treatment, either in the year that treatments were applied or in the following season. However, bunches from Mo-treated vines had significantly better fruitset resulting in more berries per bunch. Berry weight was affected by Mo-treatment in one season only. Yield was not detrimentally affected on vines that received the higher rate of sodium molybdate. In the Hills, Mo-treatment did not affect pollen numbers, pollen vitality or pollen tube growth. At McLaren Vale, where the controls were Mo-deficient, pollen vitality was not affected by Mo-treatment. However, pollen tube growth was significantly enhanced by Mo-treatment. Significantly more pollen tubes penetrated the ovules from Mo-treated vines and a higher proportion of ovaries had at least one penetrated ovule. Structural observations revealed that a significantly higher proportion of ovules from Mo-deficient vines were defective. The absence of an embryo sac in those ovules is probably the cause of pollen tube growth inhibition and subsequent poor fruitset. Effects of mode of pollination on yield of Merlot and the interacting effects of sodium molybdate sprays: Pollination experiments were conducted on field-grown own-rooted Merlot (clone D3V14) vines in commercial vineyards in the Adelaide Hills and at McLaren Vale in 2003-04 and in 2004-05. Inflorescences were supplied with supplementary Merlot pollen (self-pollination), with pollen from another variety (cross-pollination) or they were left to pollinate naturally (open pollination). In the Hills, mode of pollination did not affect fruitset or berry weight. In 2003-04 fruitset increased significantly at McLaren Vale when inflorescences were cross-pollinated with Semillon. Applying supplementary Merlot pollen also tended to improve fruitset, however none of the treatments affected berry weight. In 2004-05 there was no significant difference between treatments. These results indicate that Merlot may be a poor producer of pollen and may suffer from self-incompatibility. Given the significant improvements in yield gained by spring foliar applications of sodium molybdate to Mo-deficient Merlot vines, in 2005-06 a reciprocal experiment was conducted to separate the effects of Mo-treatment and mode of pollination on the male and female flower parts. The aims of this experiment were to: a) determine whether the male or female reproductive organs are more important in determining the success of fruitset of Merlot and; b) determine which remedial measure, Mo-treatment or pollination, is more effective at overcoming poor fruitset. Supplementary pollination treatments—cross-pollination (Semillon); self-pollination (Mo-deficient pollen); self-pollination (Mo-treated pollen) and; open-pollination—were applied to Mo-treated and Mo-deficient vines. Cross-pollinating Mo-deficient vines with Semillon significantly improved fruitset of Merlot compared to other pollination treatments on those vines, however applying molybdenum to the vines in springtime was more effective at improving fruitset. Within the Mo-treated vines the effects of supplementary pollination on fruitset were not thought to be of any practical significance. The results of this experiment provide further evidence that Mo-deficiency affects the female flower parts more than the male reproductive organs of Merlot. The occurrence of ‘star’ flowers in Australia: In 2003 faulty flowers were discovered on Canada Muscat grown in the Coombe Vineyard at the University of Adelaide’s Waite Campus. The Canada Muscat flowers opened from the top in ‘star’ formation in contrast to normal grape flowers, which shed the calyptra from its base. Star flowers were reported in French literature in the late 1800s. They were reported to as a symptom of a ‘disease’ that caused ‘coulure’, the cure for which was vine removal. The current report is the first known report of star flowers occurring in Australia. Through dissemination of the news of this discovery, several star flower variants were found in other varieties in South Australia. The association of star flowers with poor berry development and the frequency of the occurrence of star flowers suggest that this flower aberration may be affecting yield to a greater extent than previously recognised. This study provides a detailed description of two types of star flowers: those that occur in response to environmental conditions and those that occur every season. Other star flower variants are also documented. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1280856 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2007