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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #348752
Title: Aeromycobiota in organic and conventional vineyards from bloom to harvest

Author
item ABDELFATTAH, AHMED - University Of Reggio Calabria
item SCHENA, LEONARDO - University Of Reggio Calabria
item Wisniewski, Michael
item CACCIOLA, SANTA - University Of Catania
item IPPOLITO, ANTONIO - University Of Bari

Submitted to: Frontiers in Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Although metagenomics (sequencing of conserved regions of DNA, used for identification of organisms present in a sample) has been widely used to study the microflora of grapevine organs and rhizosphere, the microbial diversity present in the air circulating within vineyards has never been examined. Since most microorganisms are dispersed by air currents, the identification of airborne microorganisms represents a key aspect in characterizing the potential grape holobiont. Therefore, a study was undertaken of the fungal spores that were present in vineyards throughout the growing season in order to identify what fungal species were present. The fungal species present in the air in organic and conventional vineyards were compared. Results indicated that the type of vineyard (organic vs. conventional) had a significant effect on the composition of the microbial community. Both types of vineyards, however, exhibited similar trends, which appeared to be related to the biology of the species that were present, rather than the management practice. Results of the present study contribute to a better understanding of the microbial species present in vineyards and this information will be used to develop new strategies of disease prevention and management.

Technical Abstract: The structure and dynamics of airborne fungal communities of grapevine from bloom to harvest in organic and conventional vineyards were characterized in the province of Taranto, southern Italy. A total of 5,310 OTUs clustered at a 97% similarity threshold and assigned to 7 phyla, including Ascomycota (92.3%), Basidiomycota (5.7%), Zygomycota (1.70%), Chytridiomycota (0.20%), and Glomeromycota (0.10%). Overall, 638 fungal genera were detected with Alternaria, Mycosphaerella, and Stemphylium representing approximately 70% of the total fungal community. Many taxa, commonly regarded as grape fungal pathogens were detected but most had a very low relative abundance. Potential biocontrol agents, such as Aureobasidium and Cryptococcus, were also detected. Data analysis indicated that management practice had a statistically significant impact on the structure of fungal community. Community dynamics, however, were similar in both organic and conventional farms. Both exhibited similar trends, which appeared to be related to the biology of the taxa, rather than management practice. Results of the present study provide information on the airborne fungal populations in grape vineyards and contribute to a more complete understanding of how the composition of the aeromycobiota potentially contribute to the grape microbiome.