Grapevine field experiments reveal the contribution of genotype, the influence of environment and the effect of their interaction (G×E) on the berry transcriptome. (5th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dal Santo, Silvia; Zenoni, Sara; Sandri, Marco; De Lorenzis, Gabriella; Magris, Gabriele; De Paoli, Emanuele; Di Gaspero, Gabriele; Del Fabbro, Cristian; Morgante, Michele; Brancadoro, Lucio; Grossi, Daniele; Fasoli, Marianna; Zuccolotto, Paola; Tornielli, Giovanni Battista; Pezzotti, Mario
• Is Part Of: Plant journal. Volume 93:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: 1143
• Page End: 1159
• Publication Date: 2018-03-05
• Subjects: genotype × environment interaction (G×E) -- Vitis vinifera (grapevine) -- data mining -- gene expression variation -- secondary metabolism; Plant molecular biology -- Periodicals; Plant cells and tissues -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13834
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-7412

Abstract

Summary: Changes in the performance of genotypes in different environments are defined as genotype × environment (G×E) interactions. In grapevine ( Vitis vinifera ), complex interactions between different genotypes and climate, soil and farming practices yield unique berry qualities. However, the molecular basis of this phenomenon remains unclear. To dissect the basis of grapevine G×E interactions we characterized berry transcriptome plasticity, the genome methylation landscape and within‐genotype allelic diversity in two genotypes cultivated in three different environments over two vintages. We identified, through a novel data‐mining pipeline, genes with expression profiles that were: unaffected by genotype or environment, genotype‐dependent but unaffected by the environment, environmentally‐dependent regardless of genotype, and G×E‐related. The G×E‐related genes showed different degrees of within‐cultivar allelic diversity in the two genotypes and were enriched for stress responses, signal transduction and secondary metabolism categories. Our study unraveled the mutual relationships between genotypic and environmental variables during G×E interaction in a woody perennial species, providing a reference model to explore how cultivated fruit crops respond to diverse environments. Also, the pivotal role of vineyard location in determining the performance of different varieties, by enhancing berry quality traits, was unraveled. Significance Statement: A dissection of grapevine G×E interaction unravels the mutual relationships between genotypic and environmental variables and defines the molecular basis of G×E‐determined qualitative berry traits.