Inter-vine signalling via plant volatiles

Background

Plants emit and respond to an array of volatile organic signalling molecules under conditions of biotic and abiotic stresses. Although unknown in grapevines, preliminary evidence from potted grapevines shows that water-stressed vines communicate with their well-watered neighbours and elicit a physiological water stress response.

Objectives/aims

This project will test the hypothesis that during stress or key phenological events (e.g. fruit-set or ripening), ‘source’ vines emit volatile signals that induce ‘receiver’ plants to respond in kind.  Growers may be able to use a handful of source vines, or indeed other plants, in order to manipulate outcomes in nearby vines.  This work will be the first scientific characterisation and demonstration of inter-vine signalling of water stress.

Industry partners