Effects of ambient solar UV radiation on grapevine leaf physiology and berry phenolic composition along one entire season under Mediterranean field conditions.
In the present study we assessed the effects of ambient solar UV exclusion on leaf physiology, and leaf and berry skin phenolic composition, of a major grapevine cultivar (Tempranillo) grown under typically Mediterranean field conditions over an entire season. In general, the effects of time were stronger than those of UV radiation. Ambient UV caused a little stressing effect (eustress) on leaf physiology, with decreasing net photosynthesis rates and stomatal conductances. However, it was not accompanied by alterations in Fv/Fmor photosynthetic pigments, and was partially counterbalanced by the UV-induced accumulation of protective flavonols. Consequently, Tempranillo leaves are notably adapted to current UV levels. The responses of berry skin phenolic compounds were diverse, moderate, and mostly transitory. At harvest, the clearest response in UV-exposed berries was again flavonol accumulation, together with a decrease in the flavonol hydroxylation level. Contrarily, responses of anthocyanins, flavanols, stilbenes and hydroxycinnamic derivatives were much more subtle or nonexistent. Kaempferols were the only compounds whose leaf and berry skin contents were correlated, which suggests a mostly different regulation of phenolic metabolism for each organ. Interestingly, the dose of biologically effective UV radiation (UVBE) was correlated with the leaf and berry skin contents of quercetins and kaempferols; relationships were linear except for the exponential relationship between UVBEdose and berry skin kaempferols. This opens management possibilities to modify kaempferol and quercetin contents in grapevine through UV manipulation.
Universidad de La Rioja, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Madre de Dios 53, 26006 Logroño (La Rioja), Spain.
María-Ángeles
MÁ
Del-Castillo-Alonso
Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (ICVV) (Universidad de La Rioja, CSIC, Gobierno de La Rioja), Finca La Grajera, Ctra. Burgos km 6, 26007, Logroño (La Rioja), Spain.
María P
MP
Diago
Universidad de La Rioja, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Madre de Dios 53, 26006 Logroño (La Rioja), Spain.
Rafael
R
Tomás-Las-Heras
Universidad de La Rioja, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Madre de Dios 53, 26006 Logroño (La Rioja), Spain.
Laura
L
Monforte
Universidad de La Rioja, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Madre de Dios 53, 26006 Logroño (La Rioja), Spain.
Gonzalo
G
Soriano
Universidad de La Rioja, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Madre de Dios 53, 26006 Logroño (La Rioja), Spain.
Javier
J
Martínez-Abaigar
Universidad de La Rioja, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Madre de Dios 53, 26006 Logroño (La Rioja), Spain. Electronic address: encarnacion.nunez@unirioja.es.
Encarnación
E
Núñez-Olivera
D005638:Fruit / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D044949:Kaempferols / Q000378:metabolism; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D011794:Quercetin / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons; D013030:Spain; D013472:Sunlight; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D027843:Vitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*
D044949:Kaempferols; D010636:Phenols; C006552:kaempferol; D011794:Quercetin
Berry ripening; Field studies; Flavonols; Grapevine; Phenolic compounds compartmentalization; Phenolic profiles; UV exclusion