Influence of abscisic acid, Ascophyllum nodosum and Aloe vera on the phenolic composition and color of grape berry and wine of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' variety

Abstract

In viticulture, various techniques can be used to improve productivity, tolerance to biotic or abiotic stress, the quality of grapes and wines such as the use of plant regulators and biostimulants. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of application of abscisic acid (S-ABA), Ascophyllum nodosum (A. nodosum) seaweed extract and Aloe vera (A. vera) gel on phenolic composition and chromatic characteristics of grapes from the 'Cabernet Sauvignon' variety. The experiment was conducted in a commercial vineyard in Campo Largo - Paraná, in two consecutive seasons, 2017/18 and 2018/19, involving the following treatments: 1) control; 2) (S-ABA) 400 mg/L; 3) S- ABA 600 mg/L; 4) A. vera gel 200 mL/L; 5) A. vera gel 400 mL/L; 6) seaweed extract 0.2 mL/L; 7) seaweed extract 0.4 mL/L. Two applications were performed with the seaweed extract and A. gel when the bunches were at veraison stage (50 and 75% of grape berries with coloration). Total anthocyanins content, total polyphenols content and activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase enzymes were assessed in the berries skin. Total anthocyanins, individual anthocyanins and total polyphenol contents as well as lightness, chroma and hue angle were analyzed in the corresponding wines. S-ABA increased the content of anthocyanins and total polyphenols, as well as the activity of PAL in the first season. A. nodosum (AN) seaweed extract increased the total polyphenol content, total anthocyanins content and PAL in the berry skin of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' variety. S-ABA increased the total polyphenol content and anthocyanins in wine, as well as the A. nodosum, in at least one of the evaluated seasons.