Soil Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Alter β-Damascenone and Other Volatiles in Pinot noir Berries

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the volatile composition of grape berries in vines subjected to varying levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) supply. Pinot noir grapevines were grown in a pot-in-pot system for three years and fertigated with varying levels of N, P, or K while holding all other nutrients constant. N was varied from 7.50 mM total N supply (Control) to as low as 1.125 mM total N in five discreet levels, while P and K supply were each varied over four levels, with the lowest rate (0 mM) applied during fertigation events. Free and bound volatiles in berries were determined in each year. Variation in N supply had a greater impact on the volatile composition of berries than did variation in P or K supply. Reducing N supply to vines resulted in lower total (free + bound) β-damascenone and C-6 compounds in berries in all three years, and low K supply resulted in lower total β-damascenone in two of three years. Nutrient supply had a relatively small impact on monoterpenes and other volatile compounds in Pinot noir berries.