Location: Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit
2023 Annual Report
Accomplishments
1. Idaho ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grape composition altered by Grapevine leafroll virus-3. Making fine wine begins in the vineyard with the production of high-quality fruit. Viruses, such as grapevine leafroll-associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3) can have negative impacts on both vine productivity and fruit quality. ARS scientists in Corvallis, Oregon, with University of Idaho collaborators, were the first to report on GLRaV-3 grape quality in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapes obtained from Idaho industry collaborators. Findings from this work indicate GLRaV-3 may impact wine quality negatively, the importance of obtaining virus-free planting material, and subsequent monitoring of vineyards for GLRaV-3. This work was partially funded by Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NCSFR) and Idaho State Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant.
2. Added tools for winemakers. New wines are being made by using unusual yeasts (non-Saccharomyces yeasts) that develop unexpected flavors. As little is known about their influence on wine quality, ARS scientists in Corvallis, Oregon, with Washington State University collaborators, examined how wine made with these yeasts, which are not traditionally used for alcoholic fermentation, might change in taste and flavor after storage. One notable finding was that after storage, red wines made with these yeasts had increased cherry flavor. These yeasts offer winemakers another way to create new or improved products for consumers.
3. First detection of a grapevine-associated tymo-like virus in the United States. The wine grape industry is a $6.5 billion business in the United States, and some grapevine viruses can be detrimental to grapevine health, crop load ratio, fruit characteristics, and wine quality. ARS scientists in Corvallis, Oregon, with University of Idaho collaborators, for the first time in the United States identified grapevine-associated tymo-like virus in Idaho. A reliable diagnostic tool for detecting the variant in vineyards was developed to aid growers, by protecting them from losses through timely deployment of management strategies against the virus. This work was partially funded by Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NCSFR) and Idaho State Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant.
4. Deep learning technology enables quick image analysis. User-friendly imaging technologies have allowed researchers to capture ever-growing amounts of image data from microscopes, digital cameras, drones, and satellites. Despite the large amount of data collected by these imaging platforms, getting meaningful data from images remains a significant bottleneck for researchers and growers alike. ARS scientists in Prosser, Washington, in collaboration with University of California, Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education, and California Polytechnic State University researchers, have developed a software workflow that can be used as deep learning models for image analysis and data extracting using vast computing systems. This new tool will help scientists speed up breeding program plant evaluation, crop disease detection, and expand the understanding of environmental systems.
Review Publications
Paup, V.D., Barton, T.L., Edwards, C.G., Lange, I., Lange, B.M., Lee, J., Ross, C.F. 2022. Improving the chemical and sensory characteristics of red and white wines with pectinase-producing non-Saccharomyces yeasts. Journal of Food Science. 87(12):5402-5417. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16371.
Paup, V.D., Aplin, J.J., Potter, R.I., Edwards, C.G., Lee, J., Ross, C.F. 2023. Sensory properties of 6- and 18-month-stored wines made with pectinase-producing non-Saccharomyces yeasts. Journal of Food Science. 88(1):462-476. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16418.
Dahan, J., Orellana, G.E., Lee, J., Karasev, A.V. 2023. Occurrence of grapevine-associated tymo-like virus in wine grapes in the United States. Plant Disease. 107(2):592. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-22-1140-PDN.
Lee, J., Rennaker, C.D., Thompson, B.D., Dahan, J., Karasev, A.V. 2023. Idaho ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grape composition altered by grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3. NFS Journal. 31:1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nfs.2023.02.002.
Dahan, J., Orellana, G., Lee, J., Karasev, A. 2023. Genome sequences of two grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus variants from Vitis vinifera cv. Riesling in Idaho, USA. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 12(4). Article e01366-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.01366-22.
Dahan, J., Orellana, G.E., Lee, J., Karasev, A.V. 2023. Grapevine endophyte endornavirus and two new endornaviruses found associated with grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) in Idaho, USA. Viruses. 15(6). Article 1347. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15061347.
King, B.A., Shellie, K.C. 2023. A crop water stress index based internet of things decision support system for precision irrigation of wine grape. Smart Agricultural Technology. 4. Article 100202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2023.100202.
Momayyezi, M., Rippner, D.A., Duong, F.V., Raja, P.V., Brown, P.J., Kluepfel, D.A., Earles, J., Forrestel, E.J., Gilbert, M.E., McElrone, A.J. 2022. Structural and functional leaf diversity lead to variability in photosynthetic capacity across a range of Juglans regia genotypes. Plant Cell and Environment. 45(8):2351-2365. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.14370.
Rippner, D.A., Raja, P., Earles, J.M., Momayyezi, M., Buchko, A., Duong, F., Forrestel, E., Parkinson, D., Shackel, K., Neyhart, J.L., McElrone, A.J. 2022. A workflow for segmenting soil and plant X-ray computed tomography images with deep learning in Google’s Colaboratory. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13. Article 893140. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.893140.
