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Updated: May 5, 2026
13:02
The Terroir Concept Interpreted through Grape Berry Metabolomics and Transcriptomics
Published on: October 5, 2016
9.7K
Berry ripening: recently heard through the grapevine.
Nathalie Kuhn1, Le Guan2, Zhan Wu Dai3
1Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Alameda 340, PO Box 114-D, Santiago, Chile.
Journal of Experimental Botany
|November 29, 2013
Summary
Grapevine berry ripening is controlled by molecular and hormonal factors, influenced by environmental conditions like water, light, and temperature. This review explores these influences on secondary metabolism and development.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a vital non-climacteric fruit with diverse uses including table fruit, raisins, wine, and spirits.
- Grape berry development and ripening are complex processes influenced by environmental factors and hormonal signaling.
- Recent advancements have improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying grapevine ripening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the molecular and hormonal control of grape berry development and ripening.
- To emphasize the role of environmental factors in regulating secondary metabolism during ripening.
- To identify limitations in current experimental approaches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific data.
- Analysis of molecular and hormonal regulation pathways.
- Examination of environmental influences on grapevine physiology.
Main Results:
- Environmental factors (water status, light, temperature) significantly impact the rate and quality of grape ripening.
- Hormones play a crucial role, with concentration changes preceding and during ripening in response to environmental cues.
- Secondary metabolism in grape berries is highly responsive to environmental conditions during development.
Conclusions:
- Grape berry ripening is a sophisticated process regulated by intricate molecular and hormonal networks.
- Environmental cues are critical modulators of grapevine development and secondary metabolite production.
- Further research is needed to overcome experimental limitations and fully elucidate these regulatory mechanisms.
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