Community succession of the grapevine fungal microbiome in the annual growth cycle

Abstract

Summary Microbial ecology is an integral component of wine production. From the vineyard to the winery, microbial activity influences grapevine health and productivity, conversion of sugar to ethanol during fermentation, wine aroma production, wine quality and distinctiveness. Fungi in the vineyard ecosystem are not well described. Here, we characterised the spatial and temporal dynamics of fungal communities associated with the grapevine (grapes, flowers, leaves, and roots) and soils over an annual growth cycle in two vineyards to investigate the influences of grape habitat, plant developmental stage (flowering, fruit set, veraison, and harvest), vineyards, and climatic conditions. Fungi we..