Interazione suolo-portainnesto in situazione di stress idrico in piante di vite coltivate in vaso

The aim of this research project is to investigate how the rootstock influences gene expression and phenotype in the scion, in particular in berries. The attention is focused on the role of miRNAs and other mRNA involved in secondary metabolism in grape maturation process, in conditions of optimal irrigation or water deficit. Alongside the genetic analysis, an extensive phenotyping activity is planned to verify the direct effects of gene expression on the vines' vegetative and productive behavior. The project is set up on potted 11-year-old grapevines cultivar Pinot noir with two different rootstock combinations (mutually opposite in vigor and drought tolerance) and not grafted plants, as control. During two growing season (2017 and 2018) the pot system was and will be used to test the rootstock effect both on equal and different conditions of water supply and gene expression analysis was and will be carried out on samples of berry skins at veraison and at maturation.