Calcium plays a central role in regulating signal transduction pathways. Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), which harbor a crucial region consisting of EF hands that capture Ca2+, interact in a specific manner with CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs). This two gene families or their interacting-complex widely respond to various environment stimuli and development processes. The genome-wide...

Previous surveys conducted in commercial nurseries found that different wood fungi, namely Cylindrocarpon spp., Botryosphaeriaceae, Phomopsis viticola and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora infect grapevine cuttings. Two fi eld trials were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of cyprodinil + fl udioxonil, pyraclostrobin + metiram, fl udioxonil and cyprodinil to prevent or reduce natural infection...

The proanthocyandin composition of skins and seeds of Bordeaux Merlot (M) and Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) grapes was evaluated by HPLC-UV-fluorescence for four consecutive vintages (2006 to 2009). The results indicated a strong vintage effect on the tannin profile of each variety. However, and in spite of the vintage effect, some tannin characteristics such as mDP, %G and %P allow discrimination of...

Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe necator is one of the most important grapevine diseases in several viticulture areas, and high fungicide input is required to control it. However, numerous synthetic chemical pesticides are under scrutiny due to concerns about their impact on human health and the environment. Biopesticides, such as biogenic elicitors, are a promising alternative to chemical fun...

We have characterized the genetic and molecular origin of the reiterated reproductive meristem (RRM) somatic variant phenotype of grapevine cultivar Carignan. Here, we show that the extreme cluster proliferation and delayed anthesis observed in this somatic variant is caused by a single dominant mutation. Transcriptional profiling of Carignan and RRM plants during early stages of inflorescence ...

Stilbenes are a small family of phenylpropanoids produced in a number of unrelated plant species, including grapevine (Vitis vinifera). In addition to their participation in defense mechanisms in plants, stilbenes, such as resveratrol, display important pharmacological properties and are postulated to be involved in the health benefits associated with a moderate consumption of red wine. Stilben...

We previously showed that during protoplast isolation, an oxidative burst occurred and the generation of active oxygen species was differentially mediated in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and grapevine (Vitis vinifera), accompanied by significant quantitative differences (A.K. Papadakis, K.A. Roubelakis-Angelakis [1999] Plant Physiol 127: 197-205). We have now further tested if the expression of ...

Asian grapevine rust (Phakopsora euvitis) is a serious disease, which causes severe leaf necrosis and early plant defoliation. These symptoms are unusual for a strict biotrophic pathogen. This work was performed to quantify the effects of P. euvitis on photosynthesis, carbohydrates, and biomass accumulation of grapevine. The reduction in photosynthetic efficiency of the green leaf tissue surrou...