Ecophysiological, Genetic, and Molecular Causes of Variation in Grape Berry Weight and Composition: A Review

Abstract

Berry fresh weight and composition are under the control of complex interactions among genotype, environmental factors, and viticulture practice, which all affect not only the mean value but also the ranges of variation in berry traits. Both mean values and variation range in berry composition play a role in berry quality and, subsequently, wine typicity. This review examines recent ecophysiological, genetic, and molecular knowledge to provide better understanding of the mechanisms that influence variability in berry weight and composition. We specifically reviewed the variation range in berry weight and composition (including sugars, organic acids, and anthocyanins) among Vitis genotypes, the environmental and viticulture practices that cause variability for a given cultivar, the genetic clues underlying the genotypic variation, and the putative genes controlling berry weight and composition. Despite numerous studies comparing differences in the mean value of a berry trait among different environment conditions and viticulture practices, very few studies have explored the level of variation in response to those factors. Present genetic and molecular studies are mainly focused on identifying genes involved in the control of berry weight and composition, with few considerations of environmental factors that affect their expression. In the future, more effort should be directed toward integration of genetic and molecular work with ecophysiological approaches in an effort to gain novel insights into the cause of variability in grape fresh weight and composition.