Ilaria Filippetti,* Chiara Pastore, Gianluca Allegro, and Gabriele Valentini 
*University of Bologna, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Viale Fanin 46, Bologna, Italy (ilaria.filippetti@unibo.it)

Biotic and abiotic elicitor applications can activate secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways, increasing accumulation of phenolic compounds, particularly anthocyanins. This research examines the effects of applying a commercial foliar spray, LalVigne™ MATURE, a formulation of 100% natural, inactivated wine yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), on berry skin anthocyanin accumulation in uni-form potted Sangiovese vines. To determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of LalVigne™ MATURE, its impact on expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway genes was evaluated. In 2016, LalVigne™ MATURE was applied twice (at the beginning of veraison and nine days later, when veraison was over 70% in all vines), covering the canopy and bunches of three different vines (LVM). Ripening parameters and anthocyanin accumulation were compared with those of three untreated control vines (C). Sugar accumulation increased after veraison, with similar trends for C and LVM berries until harvest and no differences in Brix, pH, or titratable acidity. Anthocyanin accumulation was significantly increased in LVM berries, which showed higher levels of these compounds after the first foliar application of the specific yeast derivatives in comparison with the untreated C. These preliminary results show that LalVigne™ MATURE foliar spray increased anthocyanin accumulation in the Sangiovese grapes, independently from sugar accumulation. Preliminary gene expression analyses on the main biosynthetic anthocyanin genes, UFGT and VvMYBA1, showed more expression in LVM berries after the treatment in comparison with the untreated C.

Funding Support: University of Bologna Grant