2024
Authors
Tosin, R; Portis, I; Rodrigues, L; Gonçalves, I; Barbosa, C; Teixeira, J; Mendes, RJ; Santos, F; Santos, C; Martins, R; Cunha, M;
Publication
HORTICULTURAE
Abstract
This study investigates how grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) respond to shading induced by artificial nets, focusing on physiological and metabolic changes. Through a multidisciplinary approach, grapevines' adaptations to shading are presented via biochemical analyses and hyperspectral data that are then combined with systems biology techniques. In the study, conducted in a 'Moscatel Galego Branco' vineyard in Portugal's Douro Wine Region during post-veraison, shading was applied and predawn leaf water potential (Psi pd) was then measured to assess water stress. Biochemical analyses and hyperspectral data were integrated to explore adaptations to shading, revealing higher chlorophyll levels (chlorophyll a-b 117.39% higher) and increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels in unshaded vines (52.10% higher). Using a self-learning artificial intelligence algorithm (SL-AI), simulations highlighted ROS's role in stress response and accurately predicted chlorophyll a (R2: 0.92, MAPE: 24.39%), chlorophyll b (R2: 0.96, MAPE: 17.61%), and ROS levels (R2: 0.76, MAPE: 52.17%). In silico simulations employing flux balance analysis (FBA) elucidated distinct metabolic phenotypes between shaded and unshaded vines across cellular compartments. Integrating these findings provides a systems biology approach for understanding grapevine responses to environmental stressors. The leveraging of advanced omics technologies and precise metabolic models holds immense potential for untangling grapevine metabolism and optimizing viticultural practices for enhanced productivity and quality.
2025
Authors
Tosin, R; Rodrigues, L; Santos-Campos, M; Gonçalves, I; Barbosa, C; Santos, F; Martins, R; Cunha, M;
Publication
SMART AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY
Abstract
This study demonstrates the application of a tomography-like (TL) method to monitor grape maturation dynamics over two growing seasons (2021-2022) in the Douro Wine Region. Using a Vis-NIR point-of-measurement sensor, which employs visible and near-infrared light to penetrate grape tissues non-destructively and provide spectral data to predict internal composition, this approach captures non-destructive measurements of key physicochemical properties, including soluble solids content (SSC), weight-to-volume ratio, chlorophyll and anthocyanin levels across internal grape tissues-skin, pulp, and seeds-over six post-veraison stages. The collected data were used to generate detailed metabolic maps of maturation, integrating topographical factors such as altitude and NDVI-based (normalised difference vegetation index) vigour assessments, which revealed significant (p < 0.05) variations in SSC, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin levels across vineyard zones. The metabolic maps generated from the TL method enable high-throughput data to reveal the impact of environmental variability on grape maturation across distinct vineyard areas. Predictive models using random forest (RF) and self-learning artificial intelligence (SL-AI) algorithms showed RF's robustness, achieving stable predictions with R-2 >= 0.86 and MAPE <= 33.83 %. To illustrate the TL method's practical value, three hypothetical decision models were developed for targeted winemaking objectives based on SSC, chlorophyll in the pulp, and anthocyanin in the skin and seeds. These models underscore the TL method's ability to support site-specific management (SSM) by providing actionable agricultural practices (e.g. harvest) into vineyard management, guiding winemakers to implement tailored interventions based on metabolic profiles rather than only cultivar characteristics. This precision viticulture (PV) approach enhances wine quality and production efficiency by aligning vineyard practices with specific wine quality goals.
2026
Authors
Pinheiro, I; Moura, P; Rodrigues, L; Pacheco, AP; Teixeira, JG; Valente, LG; Cunha, M; Neves Dos Santos, FN;
Publication
Agricultural Systems
Abstract
In 2023, global kiwifruit production reached over 4.4 million tonnes, highlighting the crop's significant economic importance. However, achieving high yields depends on adequate pollination. In Actinidia species, pollen is transferred by insects from male to female flowers on separate plants. Natural pollination faces increasing challenges due to the decline in pollinator populations and climate variability, driving the adoption of assisted pollination methods. This study examines the Portuguese kiwifruit sector, one of the world's top 12 producers, using a novel mixed-methods approach that integrates both qualitative and quantitative analyses to assess the feasibility of robotic pollination. The qualitative study identifies the benefits and challenges of current methods and explores how robotic pollination could address these challenges. The quantitative analysis explores the cost-effectiveness and practicality of implementing robotic pollination as a product and service. Findings indicate that most farmers use handheld pollination devices but face pollen wastage and application timing challenges. Economic analysis establishes a break-even point of €685 per hectare for an annual single application, with a first robotic pollination of €17 146 becoming cost-effective for orchards of at least 3.5 hectares and a second robotic solution of €34 293 becoming cost-effective for orchards up to 7 hectares. A robotic pollination service priced at €685 per hectare per application presents a low-risk and a viable alternative for growers. This study provides robust economic insights supporting the adoption of robotic pollination technologies. This study is crucial to make informed decisions to enhance kiwifruit production's productivity and sustainability through precise robotic-assisted pollination. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
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