The study was carried out on phytoplasma susceptible grapevine variety 'Chardonnay' (Vitis vinifera L.). The changes in total and individual phenolics, with a focus on hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols and flavonol contents, were studied in phytoplasmasymptomatic and non-symptomatic berries of Bois noir (BN) infected and uninfected vines. Evident responses to BN infection at veraison have been monitored in a decreased accumulation of caftaric and coutaric acids, pcoumaroyl hexose, procyanidin B1, procyanidin trimer as well as of quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide and quercetin-3-O-xyloside. At berry softening BN infection statistically increased the content of total phenolics, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavanols, but decreased the flavonol contents, especially at phytoplasmasymptomatic berry skins. Later, at harvest, the BN infection caused an additional significant decrease of coutaric acid and p-coumaroyl pentose contents, moreover of procyanidin B1 and procyanidin dimmers (1, 2, and 3), trimer, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and of most identified quercetins, except of quercetin-3-O-xyloside. At harvest, non-symptomatic berries from infected plants showed similar dynamics in the total phenolic content compared to berry skins from uninfected plants, but in total flavanols and flavonols content similarity to those symptomatic was observed. The latter decreases grape quality and its antioxidant potential. The Bois noir disease showed specific, local and growth-phase-induced responses regarding the content of phenolics in berry skins, where in particular the differences between phytoplasmasymptomatic and non-symptomatic grapes have to be underlined.
AbbreviationsBN bois noir HLT healthy (non infected) INF infected (bois noir) INFWS infected without symptom BBCH Biologische Bundesanstalt Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie Eur J Plant Pathol (2012) 133:965-974