Deconvoluting effects of vine and soil properties on grape berry composition.
BACKGROUND
Grape berry composition is influenced by several factors including grapevine and soil properties and their interactions. Understanding how these factors interact to determine berry composition is integral to producing berries with desired composition. Here we used extensive spatio-temporal data to identify significant vine and soil features that influence Shiraz berry composition.


RESULTS
The concentrations of berry flavonoids (anthocyanins, tannin and total phenolics), total soluble solids and pH were typically negatively associated with canopy, crop and berry size factors whereas titratable acidity was positively associated. The strengths of the associations, however, were generally greater with the crop and berry size factors than with the canopy size factor. The analyses also resolved separate influences of berry and crop size on berry composition. Soil properties had significant influences on berry composition; however, when influences of soil factors on vine-attributes were accounted for, the apparent effects of soil factors on berry composition were largely non-existent.


CONCLUSIONS
At each site, variations in berry composition were more strongly associated with crop and berry size than with canopy size factors. Apparent influences of soil properties on berry composition are indirect, being mediated via their effects on vine attributes (canopy, crop and berry sizes).
Curtin University, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Margaret River Education Campus, PMB1, Margaret River, WA, 6285, Australia.
Ayalsew
A
Zerihun
Lexie
L
McClymont
Dean
D
Lanyon
Ian
I
Goodwin
Mark
M
Gibberd
D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000032:analysis; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D013634:Tannins / Q000032:analysis; D027843:Vitis; D014920:Wine / Q000032:analysis
D000872:Anthocyanins; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D012987:Soil; D013634:Tannins
NDVI; Vitis vinifera L. Shiraz; anthocyanin; berry composition; berry size; canopy size; crop size; flavonoids; phenolics; plant cell density; soil chemical and physical properties; tannin