Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2022, 49(2):117-120 | DOI: 10.17221/70/2020-HORTSCI

The effect of defoliation on the 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine biosynthesis in wine grapesShort Communication

Yujuan Lei^1,2, Zhansheng Ma¹, Pengbao Shi¹, Yuxia Sun³, Ping Wang⁴, Xueqiang Guan^*,3

¹ College of Food Science & Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, P.R. China

² Hebei Yanshan Agricultural Characteristic Industry Research Institute, Qinhuangdao, P.R. China

³ Shandong Academy of Grape/Winegrape and Wine Technological Innovation Center of Shandong Province, Jinan, P.R. China

⁴ College of Food Engineering, Shihezi University, Shi Hezi, P.R. China

Field studies were conducted on Vitis vinifera cv. 'Cabernet Sauvignon' to evaluate the effects of the defoliation time (pre- and post-flowering and veraison) and severity on the 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP) concentration and expression levels of the key related genes in grape berries. The IBMP concentration in the grapes decreased significantly at harvest after all the defoliation treatments. The earlier and heavier the defoliation treatment, the lower the IBMP concentration. The relative expression level of VvOMT3 in the berry skin was closely positively correlated with the IBMP accumulation in all the treatments. Early defoliation coupled with a 1-week delay in the harvest time may be an effective management strategy to control the IBMP concentration in grapes.

Keywords: defoliation; 'Cabernet Sauvignon'; 3-Isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine; biosynthesis

Published: June 29, 2022  Show citation