Scientist with a lot of questions without proper answers Address: Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, INIA, Colina Sn Joaquín s/n, La Serena, Chile
Abstract World viticulture is based on grafted grapevines, where scion is a cultivar of Vitis vin... more Abstract World viticulture is based on grafted grapevines, where scion is a cultivar of Vitis vinifera and rootstock is either and American Vitis species or an interspecific Vitis hybrid. The paramount relevance of root systems is their key role at the interface between grapevine and soil for water uptake and nutrient mining. Understanding of interactions among cultivars, rootstocks, and nutrient content in grapevines is expanding, demonstrating that rootstocks differ in their nutrient levels in grafted cultivars. In regions with lower rainfall, where leaching of soluble salts is often incomplete, soil salinity can be a serious constraint to grapevine production. Salinity-associated problems include decreased soil-water availability and accumulation of chloride, sodium, and boron that lead to toxic levels in plant tissues. Differences in nutrient uptake and distribution leading to fulfill productive demands or to reach toxicity levels are indeed influenced by rootstocks’ absorption capability or affinity for some specific nutrients, also influencing scion growth as adaptive response to abiotic stress constrains, modulating vine growth and productivity to express potential productivity and attributes of target cultivar in respective terroir or environmental conditions, thus opening strategies to cope with increasing environmental challenges due to climate change.
We studied the seasonal fluctuation of soil respiration (R(S)), and its root-dependent (R(R)) and... more We studied the seasonal fluctuation of soil respiration (R(S)), and its root-dependent (R(R)) and basal (R(B)) components, in a Vitis vinifera (Chardonnay) vineyard. The R(S) components were estimated through independent field methods (y-intercept and trenching) and modeled on the basis of a Q(10) response to soil temperature, and fine and coarse root respiration coefficients. The effect of assimilate availability on R(R) was assessed through a trunk girdling treatment. The apparent Q(10) for R(R) was twice that of R(B) (3.5 vs 1.6) and increased linearly with increasing vine root biomass. The fastest R(R) of fine roots was during rapid fruit growth and the fastest R(R) of coarse roots was immediately following fruit development. R(S) was estimated at 32.6 kg ha(-1) d(-1) (69% as a result of R(R) ) for the hottest month and at 7.6 kg ha(-1) d(-1) (18% as a result of R(R)) during winter dormancy. Annual R(S) was low compared with other natural and cultivated ecosystems: 5.4 Mg ha(-1) (46% as a result of R(R)). Our estimates of annual vineyard R(S) are the first for any horticultural crop and suggest that the assumption that they are similar to those of annual crops or forest trees might lead to an overestimation.
Quinoa has been highlighted as a promising crop to sustain food security. The selection of physio... more Quinoa has been highlighted as a promising crop to sustain food security. The selection of physiological traits that allow identification genotypes with high Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is a key factor to increase Quinoa cultivation. In order to unveil the underpinning mechanisms for N-stress tolerance in Quinoa, three genotypes with similar phenology, but different NUE were developed under high (HN) or low (LN) nitrogen conditions. N metabolism processes and photosynthetic performance were studied after anthesis and in correlation with productivity to identify principal traits related to NUE. We found that protein content, net photosynthesis and leaf dry-mass were determinant attributes for yield at both HN and LN conditions. Contrastingly, the enhancement of N related metabolites ($${{\rm{NH}}}_{4}^{+}$$ NH 4 + , proline, betacyanins) and processes related with re-assimilation of $${{\rm{NH}}}_{4}^{+}$$ NH 4 + , including an increment of glutamine synthetase activity and up-regu...
In recent years, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), an ancient Andean region crop, has received ... more In recent years, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), an ancient Andean region crop, has received increased research attention because it is an excellent source of nutrients and also of bioactive phenolic compounds, which are potentially beneficial for human health. However, variation in the content and type of these metabolites in quinoa genetic resources remains, to a large extent, unexplored. We evaluated the composition of free and bound phenolic forms in the seeds of 111 Chilean quinoa accessions by using LC-DAD-MS/MS. The relative phenolic content ranged from 35.51 mg/100 g to 93.23 mg/100 g of seed dry weight. The free phenolic fraction accounted for 72% of the total phenolic content, while the bound fraction represented the remaining 28% of the total phenolic content. Our study also revealed a significant degree of variation in terms of individual phenolic compounds such as rutin, vanillic acid, quercetin, and their derivatives, which can have important implications for quino...
Climate change effects are unbalanced in all regions and cultivars linked to the wine industry. H... more Climate change effects are unbalanced in all regions and cultivars linked to the wine industry. However, the impact of extreme weather events, such as drought and rising global temperatures, highlight the potential vulnerability in plant productivity, phenology, and crop water requirements that affect quality and harvests. Among adaptative measures for grapevine cultivars in existing or new winegrowing areas, the use of tolerant rootstocks to abiotic stress has been regarded as a mid-term strategy to face emerging constrains. The aim of this study was to compare naturalized or autochthonous rootstocks influence over grapevine cultivar performance and to characterize their response to deficit irrigation conditions. Data was collected from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grafted plants for over 3 growing seasons (2018–2021) from a hyper-arid experimental field in Vicuña, Chile. Morpho-physiological parameters were determined throughout seasons and combinations where significant effects f...
HIGHLIGHTS R49 genotype displayed best performance on selected physiological parameters and highe... more HIGHLIGHTS R49 genotype displayed best performance on selected physiological parameters and highest tolerance to drought.R49 drought over-represented transcripts has exhibited 19% of genes (306 contigs) that presented no homology to published databases.Expression pattern for canonical responses to drought such as ABA biosynthesis and other genes induced in response to drought were assessed by qPCR. Global freshwater shortage is one of the biggest challenges of our time, often associated to misuse, increased consumption demands and the effects of climate change, paralleled with the desertification of vast areas. Chenopodium quinoa (Willd.) represents a very promising species, due to both nutritional content and cultivation under water constraint. We characterized drought tolerance of three Chilean genotypes and selected Genotype R49 (Salares ecotype) based upon Relative Water Content (RWC), Electrolyte Leakage (EL) and maximum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) after drought treatm...
ABSTRACT Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) originated in the Andean region of South America; thi... more ABSTRACT Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) originated in the Andean region of South America; this species is associated with exceptional grain nutritional quality and is highly valued for its ability to tolerate abiotic stresses. However, its introduction outside the Andes has yet to take off on a large scale. In the Andes, quinoa has until recently been marginally grown by small-scale Andean farmers, leading to minor interest in the crop from urban consumers and the industry. Quinoa breeding programs were not initiated until the 1960s in the Andes, and elsewhere from the 1970s onwards. New molecular tools available for the existing quinoa breeding programs, which are critically examined in this review, will enable us to tackle the limitations of allotetraploidy and genetic specificities. The recent progress, together with the declaration of “The International Year of the Quinoa” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, anticipates a bright future for this ancient species.
Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 2013
ABSTRACT Background and Aims: Grapevine introduction into South America occurred after Spanish co... more ABSTRACT Background and Aims: Grapevine introduction into South America occurred after Spanish colonisation during the 16th century. In Chile, some vines were established in small villages and oases along the Atacama Desert. Considering that these plants have survived harsh environmental conditions, we explored and collected naturalised vines from 18°34′LS (close to the Peruvian border) to 31°53′LS, in order to understand their genetic nature and preserve this germplasm. Methods and Results: Over 150 grapevine accessions were collected and characterised using 11 Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers, to determine the genetic diversity and to propose a population structuring. SSR diversity was high, with observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.87) greater than expected heterozygosity (He = 0.70). Three discrete genetic groups were identified, which did not show any association with geographical distribution. Groups 1 (G1) and G3 had a higher level of genetic diversity and also an important level of heterozygosity. Conclusions: The gene pool of naturalised grapevines from the Atacama Desert had a significant genetic diversity and exhibited an important level of heterozygote excess. Clustering of this diversity suggested that this naturalised grapevine germplasm would represent a novel source of allelic variants. Significance of the Study: Naturalised and admixed genotypes are potential sources of new alleles, and are a unique source of diversity for grapevine breeding cultivars and/or rootstocks better adapted to the prospect of climate change.
The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is grown and characterized by seasonal drought suffered in most of... more The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is grown and characterized by seasonal drought suffered in most of the world’s producing regions, a situation that increases in arid and semiarid regions of Chile, which have experienced declines in rainfall and prolonged dry periods, one of the main problems that affect the productivity of the vines in these regions. The research aim was to analyze the morpho-physiological responses of naturalized grapevine genotypes exposed to water stress and determine their level of tolerance. Physiological and architectural parameters were evaluated in four grapevine genotypes (10, 93, 134, 148), collected from a latitudinal gradient in arid and semi-arid northern Chile (18° SL to 32° SL). By using a system of mini-rhizotrons, clonal material of the four genotypes was subjected to mild and severe (60% and 40% field capacity, respectively), water stress treatments during three months under a fully randomized design. Significant differences were obtained at treatmen...
Proper root growth is crucial for anchorage, exploration, and exploitation of the soil substrate.... more Proper root growth is crucial for anchorage, exploration, and exploitation of the soil substrate. Root growth is highly sensitive to a variety of environmental cues, among them water and nutrient availability have a great impact on root development. Phosphorus (P) availability is one of the most limiting nutrients that affect plant growth and development under natural and agricultural environments. Root growth in the direction of the long axis proceeds from the root tip and requires the coordinated activities of cell proliferation, cell ...
Background: Currently, viticulture is exposed to extreme weather fluctuations and global warming,... more Background: Currently, viticulture is exposed to extreme weather fluctuations and global warming, thus the implementation of short-term adaptation strategies to mitigate climate change impacts will be of a wide importance for the sustainability and competitiveness of wine industry. This research aimed to study the effect of shading nets on the viticultural performance of a Muscat of Alexandria vineyard growing under hyper-arid conditions. Methods: Three treatments were randomly arranged in the vineyard: (i) a control (without shading), (ii) a white shading net (25% of shading), and (iii) a black shading net (40% of shading). Subsequently, yield, vine vigor, berry composition, leaf biomass and petiole nutrient content were assessed. Results: Both shading nets decreased the incidence of solar radiation in vines. The application of white shading nets induced a high bunch weight and a higher number of berries per bunch than the black shading nets. Black shading nets increased pruning we...
The seed pericarp of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (quinoa) contains a mixture of triterpenoid saponi... more The seed pericarp of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (quinoa) contains a mixture of triterpenoid saponins conferring undesired organoleptic properties. In this study, we evaluated saponin content and their corresponding sapogenins in 114 different quinoa accessions. Relative saponin content ranged from 0.22 to 15.04 mg/g of seed dry weight among the genotypes studied and the genotype effect was significant (p < 0.001). About 75% of the genotypes could be classified as low-saponin content lines which is promising in view of ongoing plant breeding efforts. In addition to the quantitative determination of saponins, metabolic profiling was performed by LC-FTICR-MS and LC-MS/MS. We obtained highly accurate mass estimation from ion spectra allowing the identification of twelve saponins of the oleanane type. These differ in their aglycons and in the number and type of glycoside units. Interestingly, we identified a saponin compound that, to our knowledge, had not been reported previously. Our...
Hyper-arid regions are characterized by extreme conditions for growing and lack of water (<100... more Hyper-arid regions are characterized by extreme conditions for growing and lack of water (<100 mm annual rainfall average), where desertification renders human activities almost impossible. In addition to the use of irrigation, different viticultural strategies should be taken into account to face the adverse effects of these conditions in which rootstocks may play a crucial role. The research aim was to evaluate the effects of the rootstock on yield, vigor, and petiole nutrient content in Syrah grapevines growing under hyper-arid conditions during five seasons and compare them to ungrafted ones. St. George induced lower yield than 1103 Paulsen. Salt Creek induced higher plant growth vigor and Cu petiole content than ungrafted vines in Syrah, which was correlated to P petiole content. However, Salt Creek and St. George rootstocks induced an excess of vigor in Syrah according to Ravaz Index. Rootstocks with V. berlandieri genetic background should be used in Syrah growing under hy...
Abstract World viticulture is based on grafted grapevines, where scion is a cultivar of Vitis vin... more Abstract World viticulture is based on grafted grapevines, where scion is a cultivar of Vitis vinifera and rootstock is either and American Vitis species or an interspecific Vitis hybrid. The paramount relevance of root systems is their key role at the interface between grapevine and soil for water uptake and nutrient mining. Understanding of interactions among cultivars, rootstocks, and nutrient content in grapevines is expanding, demonstrating that rootstocks differ in their nutrient levels in grafted cultivars. In regions with lower rainfall, where leaching of soluble salts is often incomplete, soil salinity can be a serious constraint to grapevine production. Salinity-associated problems include decreased soil-water availability and accumulation of chloride, sodium, and boron that lead to toxic levels in plant tissues. Differences in nutrient uptake and distribution leading to fulfill productive demands or to reach toxicity levels are indeed influenced by rootstocks’ absorption capability or affinity for some specific nutrients, also influencing scion growth as adaptive response to abiotic stress constrains, modulating vine growth and productivity to express potential productivity and attributes of target cultivar in respective terroir or environmental conditions, thus opening strategies to cope with increasing environmental challenges due to climate change.
We studied the seasonal fluctuation of soil respiration (R(S)), and its root-dependent (R(R)) and... more We studied the seasonal fluctuation of soil respiration (R(S)), and its root-dependent (R(R)) and basal (R(B)) components, in a Vitis vinifera (Chardonnay) vineyard. The R(S) components were estimated through independent field methods (y-intercept and trenching) and modeled on the basis of a Q(10) response to soil temperature, and fine and coarse root respiration coefficients. The effect of assimilate availability on R(R) was assessed through a trunk girdling treatment. The apparent Q(10) for R(R) was twice that of R(B) (3.5 vs 1.6) and increased linearly with increasing vine root biomass. The fastest R(R) of fine roots was during rapid fruit growth and the fastest R(R) of coarse roots was immediately following fruit development. R(S) was estimated at 32.6 kg ha(-1) d(-1) (69% as a result of R(R) ) for the hottest month and at 7.6 kg ha(-1) d(-1) (18% as a result of R(R)) during winter dormancy. Annual R(S) was low compared with other natural and cultivated ecosystems: 5.4 Mg ha(-1) (46% as a result of R(R)). Our estimates of annual vineyard R(S) are the first for any horticultural crop and suggest that the assumption that they are similar to those of annual crops or forest trees might lead to an overestimation.
Quinoa has been highlighted as a promising crop to sustain food security. The selection of physio... more Quinoa has been highlighted as a promising crop to sustain food security. The selection of physiological traits that allow identification genotypes with high Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is a key factor to increase Quinoa cultivation. In order to unveil the underpinning mechanisms for N-stress tolerance in Quinoa, three genotypes with similar phenology, but different NUE were developed under high (HN) or low (LN) nitrogen conditions. N metabolism processes and photosynthetic performance were studied after anthesis and in correlation with productivity to identify principal traits related to NUE. We found that protein content, net photosynthesis and leaf dry-mass were determinant attributes for yield at both HN and LN conditions. Contrastingly, the enhancement of N related metabolites ($${{\rm{NH}}}_{4}^{+}$$ NH 4 + , proline, betacyanins) and processes related with re-assimilation of $${{\rm{NH}}}_{4}^{+}$$ NH 4 + , including an increment of glutamine synthetase activity and up-regu...
In recent years, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), an ancient Andean region crop, has received ... more In recent years, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), an ancient Andean region crop, has received increased research attention because it is an excellent source of nutrients and also of bioactive phenolic compounds, which are potentially beneficial for human health. However, variation in the content and type of these metabolites in quinoa genetic resources remains, to a large extent, unexplored. We evaluated the composition of free and bound phenolic forms in the seeds of 111 Chilean quinoa accessions by using LC-DAD-MS/MS. The relative phenolic content ranged from 35.51 mg/100 g to 93.23 mg/100 g of seed dry weight. The free phenolic fraction accounted for 72% of the total phenolic content, while the bound fraction represented the remaining 28% of the total phenolic content. Our study also revealed a significant degree of variation in terms of individual phenolic compounds such as rutin, vanillic acid, quercetin, and their derivatives, which can have important implications for quino...
Climate change effects are unbalanced in all regions and cultivars linked to the wine industry. H... more Climate change effects are unbalanced in all regions and cultivars linked to the wine industry. However, the impact of extreme weather events, such as drought and rising global temperatures, highlight the potential vulnerability in plant productivity, phenology, and crop water requirements that affect quality and harvests. Among adaptative measures for grapevine cultivars in existing or new winegrowing areas, the use of tolerant rootstocks to abiotic stress has been regarded as a mid-term strategy to face emerging constrains. The aim of this study was to compare naturalized or autochthonous rootstocks influence over grapevine cultivar performance and to characterize their response to deficit irrigation conditions. Data was collected from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grafted plants for over 3 growing seasons (2018–2021) from a hyper-arid experimental field in Vicuña, Chile. Morpho-physiological parameters were determined throughout seasons and combinations where significant effects f...
HIGHLIGHTS R49 genotype displayed best performance on selected physiological parameters and highe... more HIGHLIGHTS R49 genotype displayed best performance on selected physiological parameters and highest tolerance to drought.R49 drought over-represented transcripts has exhibited 19% of genes (306 contigs) that presented no homology to published databases.Expression pattern for canonical responses to drought such as ABA biosynthesis and other genes induced in response to drought were assessed by qPCR. Global freshwater shortage is one of the biggest challenges of our time, often associated to misuse, increased consumption demands and the effects of climate change, paralleled with the desertification of vast areas. Chenopodium quinoa (Willd.) represents a very promising species, due to both nutritional content and cultivation under water constraint. We characterized drought tolerance of three Chilean genotypes and selected Genotype R49 (Salares ecotype) based upon Relative Water Content (RWC), Electrolyte Leakage (EL) and maximum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) after drought treatm...
ABSTRACT Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) originated in the Andean region of South America; thi... more ABSTRACT Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) originated in the Andean region of South America; this species is associated with exceptional grain nutritional quality and is highly valued for its ability to tolerate abiotic stresses. However, its introduction outside the Andes has yet to take off on a large scale. In the Andes, quinoa has until recently been marginally grown by small-scale Andean farmers, leading to minor interest in the crop from urban consumers and the industry. Quinoa breeding programs were not initiated until the 1960s in the Andes, and elsewhere from the 1970s onwards. New molecular tools available for the existing quinoa breeding programs, which are critically examined in this review, will enable us to tackle the limitations of allotetraploidy and genetic specificities. The recent progress, together with the declaration of “The International Year of the Quinoa” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, anticipates a bright future for this ancient species.
Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 2013
ABSTRACT Background and Aims: Grapevine introduction into South America occurred after Spanish co... more ABSTRACT Background and Aims: Grapevine introduction into South America occurred after Spanish colonisation during the 16th century. In Chile, some vines were established in small villages and oases along the Atacama Desert. Considering that these plants have survived harsh environmental conditions, we explored and collected naturalised vines from 18°34′LS (close to the Peruvian border) to 31°53′LS, in order to understand their genetic nature and preserve this germplasm. Methods and Results: Over 150 grapevine accessions were collected and characterised using 11 Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers, to determine the genetic diversity and to propose a population structuring. SSR diversity was high, with observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.87) greater than expected heterozygosity (He = 0.70). Three discrete genetic groups were identified, which did not show any association with geographical distribution. Groups 1 (G1) and G3 had a higher level of genetic diversity and also an important level of heterozygosity. Conclusions: The gene pool of naturalised grapevines from the Atacama Desert had a significant genetic diversity and exhibited an important level of heterozygote excess. Clustering of this diversity suggested that this naturalised grapevine germplasm would represent a novel source of allelic variants. Significance of the Study: Naturalised and admixed genotypes are potential sources of new alleles, and are a unique source of diversity for grapevine breeding cultivars and/or rootstocks better adapted to the prospect of climate change.
The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is grown and characterized by seasonal drought suffered in most of... more The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is grown and characterized by seasonal drought suffered in most of the world’s producing regions, a situation that increases in arid and semiarid regions of Chile, which have experienced declines in rainfall and prolonged dry periods, one of the main problems that affect the productivity of the vines in these regions. The research aim was to analyze the morpho-physiological responses of naturalized grapevine genotypes exposed to water stress and determine their level of tolerance. Physiological and architectural parameters were evaluated in four grapevine genotypes (10, 93, 134, 148), collected from a latitudinal gradient in arid and semi-arid northern Chile (18° SL to 32° SL). By using a system of mini-rhizotrons, clonal material of the four genotypes was subjected to mild and severe (60% and 40% field capacity, respectively), water stress treatments during three months under a fully randomized design. Significant differences were obtained at treatmen...
Proper root growth is crucial for anchorage, exploration, and exploitation of the soil substrate.... more Proper root growth is crucial for anchorage, exploration, and exploitation of the soil substrate. Root growth is highly sensitive to a variety of environmental cues, among them water and nutrient availability have a great impact on root development. Phosphorus (P) availability is one of the most limiting nutrients that affect plant growth and development under natural and agricultural environments. Root growth in the direction of the long axis proceeds from the root tip and requires the coordinated activities of cell proliferation, cell ...
Background: Currently, viticulture is exposed to extreme weather fluctuations and global warming,... more Background: Currently, viticulture is exposed to extreme weather fluctuations and global warming, thus the implementation of short-term adaptation strategies to mitigate climate change impacts will be of a wide importance for the sustainability and competitiveness of wine industry. This research aimed to study the effect of shading nets on the viticultural performance of a Muscat of Alexandria vineyard growing under hyper-arid conditions. Methods: Three treatments were randomly arranged in the vineyard: (i) a control (without shading), (ii) a white shading net (25% of shading), and (iii) a black shading net (40% of shading). Subsequently, yield, vine vigor, berry composition, leaf biomass and petiole nutrient content were assessed. Results: Both shading nets decreased the incidence of solar radiation in vines. The application of white shading nets induced a high bunch weight and a higher number of berries per bunch than the black shading nets. Black shading nets increased pruning we...
The seed pericarp of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (quinoa) contains a mixture of triterpenoid saponi... more The seed pericarp of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (quinoa) contains a mixture of triterpenoid saponins conferring undesired organoleptic properties. In this study, we evaluated saponin content and their corresponding sapogenins in 114 different quinoa accessions. Relative saponin content ranged from 0.22 to 15.04 mg/g of seed dry weight among the genotypes studied and the genotype effect was significant (p < 0.001). About 75% of the genotypes could be classified as low-saponin content lines which is promising in view of ongoing plant breeding efforts. In addition to the quantitative determination of saponins, metabolic profiling was performed by LC-FTICR-MS and LC-MS/MS. We obtained highly accurate mass estimation from ion spectra allowing the identification of twelve saponins of the oleanane type. These differ in their aglycons and in the number and type of glycoside units. Interestingly, we identified a saponin compound that, to our knowledge, had not been reported previously. Our...
Hyper-arid regions are characterized by extreme conditions for growing and lack of water (<100... more Hyper-arid regions are characterized by extreme conditions for growing and lack of water (<100 mm annual rainfall average), where desertification renders human activities almost impossible. In addition to the use of irrigation, different viticultural strategies should be taken into account to face the adverse effects of these conditions in which rootstocks may play a crucial role. The research aim was to evaluate the effects of the rootstock on yield, vigor, and petiole nutrient content in Syrah grapevines growing under hyper-arid conditions during five seasons and compare them to ungrafted ones. St. George induced lower yield than 1103 Paulsen. Salt Creek induced higher plant growth vigor and Cu petiole content than ungrafted vines in Syrah, which was correlated to P petiole content. However, Salt Creek and St. George rootstocks induced an excess of vigor in Syrah according to Ravaz Index. Rootstocks with V. berlandieri genetic background should be used in Syrah growing under hy...
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