An overview about the impacts of agricultural practices on grape nitrogen composition: Current research approaches

Abstract

Nitrogen is a structural component of proteins, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, hormones and amino acids. The last one and ammonium are important primary metabolites in grapes and are key compounds in winemaking since they are primary sources for yeast fermentation. Currently, grape quality has been affected due to the negative impacts of global warming and anthropogenic activity. Certain studies have reported a significant decrease in the free amino acids content and an increase in berry soluble solids and in proline biosynthesis in grapes in some grapevine varieties cultivated under warm climate conditions and water restriction. Proline is not metabolized by yeasts and stuck and sluggish fermentations can occur when the content of yeast assimilable nitrogen is low. Nitrogen composition of grape is mainly affected by variety, edaphoclimatic conditions of the vineyard and agricultural practices performed to the grapevines. This review summarized the most current research carried out to modify the nitrogen composition of the grape and give an overview of the technical and scientific aspects that should be considered for future research in this field.

Keywords: Amino acids; Arginine; Climate change; Nitrogen uptake; Proline; Viticulture.