Physiological response of ‘Italia’ grapevine to some “Esca
complex”-associated fungi
Abstract
This study investigated some physiological features in a 20-year-old
‘Italia’ vineyard cropped in Apulia, Italy. Five vines with
brown-wood-streaking associated to Phaeoacremonium minimum (sin. Pm.
aleophilum) and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (BWSV), five with
brown-wood-streaking and white-rot caused by Fomitiporia mediterranea
(BWSWRV) and five healthy vines (HV) were surveyed. Bleeding xylem sap
(BXS) collected at bud-break, symptomless and symptomatic leaves taken
during stretched-out leaves, fruit setting, cluster closing and bunch
ripening phenological phases were characterized. BXS from HV showed the
highest total ascorbic acid level, while BWSWRV had the highest
viscosity coefficient, glutathione concentration and growth regulators
activity. Low fresh and dry weight, total chlorophyll concentration and
the hight leaf surface, hydrogen peroxide and cell membranes damage were
detected in leaves of diseased vines. Symptomless and symptomatic leaves
of BWSV and BWSWRV exhibited low concentrations of ascorbic acid,
reduced glutathione and redox state; moderate levels of dehydroascorbic
acid and oxidized glutathione. Higher dehydroascorbate reductase and low
ascorbate free radical reductase and glutathione reductase activities
were showed by leaves collected from diseased vines. However, no
differences were detected in ascorbate peroxidase activity. The decrease
of oxidative status alters cell membranes integrity and could contribute
to cell death and symptoms development on leaves.