Quantification of Stilbenes in Vitis Genotypes with Different Levels of Resistance to Plasmopara viticola Infection

Abstract

Stilbenic phytoalexins have been associated with disease resistance. In Vitis spp., stilbene synthesis can be induced by UV irradiation, treatment with a variety of substance extracts, and inoculation with Botrytis cinerea or Plasmopara viticola. The aim of the present work was to examine the relationship between stilbene production and the level of resistance of different Vitis genotypes to P. viticola. The ability of different grapevine genotypes (Vitis vinifera L. cvs. Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Pinot noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon and Vitis riparia cv. Gloire de Montpellier) to resist Plasmopara viticola infection was assessed via their potential to accumulate toxic stilbenic phytoalexins. Leaf discs taken from plants belonging to these genotypes were inoculated with P. viticola sporangia and disease severity was determined five days later. Stilbene production was quantified in similar leaf material at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hr postinoculation. After P. viticola infection, the resistant genotype V. riparia showed high production of the phytotoxic stilbenes ɛ- and δ-viniferin, which limited the development of the pathogen and prevented it from producing spores. Indeed, this genotype was associated with the lowest sporulation values. No relationship was observed, however, between resistance and these compounds in the V. vinifera genotypes. Further study is required to define the role of stilbenic phytoalexins in resistance to P. viticola.