Characterization of grapevine responses to water deficit and nutrient availability

作者：Gabriella Vinci · 发表于：Institutional Research Information System (University of Udine) · 年份：2026 · 研究领域：Horticultural and Viticultural Research、Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies、Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivation represents one of the most important agricultural activities in Europe. However, since 2018, the global vine and wine sector has faced significant challenges, with production volumes reaching historically low levels. These declines have been attributed to the increase of extreme climatic conditions and the spread of fungal diseases that have severely impacted many vineyards worldwide. Among the environmental factors that influence vine performance, the availability of water and mineral nutrients in soil plays a major role in determining crop yield and berry quality. Therefore, the development of strategies towards an improvement of both water and nutrient use efficiency is crucial for sustainable viticultural production. Moreover, beneficial microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, can further promote plant fitness by improving nutrient uptake and increasing tolerance to abiotic stresses. While the single effects of water deficit and nutrient limitation have been extensively studied, their interactions remain poorly understood. The aim of this PhD research was to characterize the combined effects of water deficit and nutrient availability in grapevine cultivars with different sensitivities to water stress. The application of a multidisciplinary and multifactorial approach that integrates morpho-physiological evaluations with omic techniques and microbiological analyses provided an accurate description of grapevine va...