Project-ID: FTI20-009
Project start: 01. March 2022
Runtime: 36 months / ongoing
Funding amount: € 282.764,00

Brief summary

Heat-waves have occurred frequently in last years in many Austrian wine regions. Such events verify mostly during dry summer periods leading to a combined effect of drought and heat stress on grapevines. Nevertheless, very few studies have addressed the combination of the two factors in a systematic way. Moreover, most of the knowledge we have on the topic comes from arid or semi-arid regions, while the response to such events on continental and cooler climates such as in the Austrian wine regions is lacking. The Headcahe project aims to fill this gap advancing our knowledge and understanding one the combined effects of the two stressors (heat and drought stress) on the grapevine physiology response and its consequences on berry metabolism and composition, with particular focus on key metabolites pivotal for overall wine quality such as flavonoids and aromatic compounds. The project will use Vitis vinifera cv. Riesling and Blaufränkisch. The two are widely cultivated winegrapes in Austria and they have a relative high capacity to accumulate volatiles (e.g. norisoprenoids, monoterpenes) as well as flavonoids. This fact makes them suitable subjects for achieving the project objectives. Eco-physiology parameters such as the photosynthetic efficiency and water use, as well as key metabolites will be investigated in the plant and berries to characterize the response of vines to both, drought and heat-stress. Experiments will be carried out under semi-controlled and fully controlled environmental conditions to ensure a better understanding of associated factors such as for example light intensity or atmospheric water demand. The partners involved, BOKU, HBLA Klosterneuburg and WeinobstRTD, are the leading institutions in Austria for research and education on viticulture and enology. The participation of experts from both institutions with large experience on similar research and great complementarity represent a key feature for the success of the project. Moreover, the great extent of stakeholders that both institutions reach will contribute to an important dissemination of the results among growers, wine-makers, and policy-makers.