Status and future of disease protection and grape berry quality alteration by micro-organisms in viticulture

Grapevine is one of the most widely grown fruit crops in the world. At present, however, there is much concern regarding chemical pollution in viticulture due to the application of chemical fungicides and fertilizers. One viticultural practice to resolve this issue is the application of micro-organisms to grapevine as a substitute for chemicals. Some micro-organisms act as an enhancer of grape berry quality as well as a suppresser of disease in grapevine through their antagonistic ability and/or systemic resistance inducing ability. Herein, we review current and prospective applications of micro-organisms in viticulture.

In this review, we evaluate the applicability of micro-organisms in viticulture. Micro-organisms can improve grape berry quality through grapevine disease protection and grape berry quality alteration. Because the use of micro-organisms to protect grapevine from plant diseases is safer than the use of chemical fungicides, the use of biofungicides in viticulture is expected to be enhanced by the increasing consumer concern towards chemical fungicides. Micro-organisms also modify plant secondary metabolites for use as flavours, pharmaceuticals and food additives. Studies of micro-organisms that promote polyphenol, anthocyanin and aroma compound biosynthesis are in progress with an eye to improving grape berry quality.