Auxins seem promising as a tuning method for balancing sugars with acidity in grape musts from cv. Tempranillo, but not defoliation or application of magnesium to leaves

Abstract

Global warming boosted by climate change affects grape quality, with increasing total soluble solids (TSS) content and decreasing total acidity (TA). However, current wine preferences increasingly include moderate alcohol content, higher acidity and the preservation of primary aromas reminiscent of grapes. Therefore, we hypothesised that applying phytohormones or mineral nutrients to leaves or carrying out defoliation can improve grape must properties in the face of climate warming and in accordance with current oenological trends. The effects of these three viticultural strategies were assessed independently from one another during three growing seasons in a Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo vineyard in northern Spain. Specifically, three 1-naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA) treatments, two early defoliations (ED; moderate and severe) and two foliar fertilisations with magnesium (Mg) were applied. Treatment with NAA was the most encouraging strategy for decreasing must TSS while increasing TA: it had slight effects on TSS in general and also slight effects on TA when applied close to veraison. The effects of the Mg treatments and moderate ED had null to slightly adverse effects. Finally, severe ED was clearly counter-productive. This study contributes to understanding the effects of both auxin and early defoliation treatments on grape must TSS, acidity and even yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) at harvest time. The favourable effects of NAA application are shown to be consistent though slight. Therefore, according to these results, the application of auxins may be an adequate choice for balancing sugars with acidity in grape musts. However, the results also suggest that more research needs to be undertaken to better characterise the effects of auxin treatments on grape must properties at harvest. In particular, different types of auxins, rates, concentrations and number of applications should be tested in the quest for more marked effects.