Rootstock and soil induce transcriptome modulation of phenylpropanoid pathway in grape leaves

Soil qualities and rootstocks are among the main factors that have been acknowledged to influence grape development as well as fruit and wine composition. Despite the role of soil and rootstock in establishing a successful vineyard in terms of grape quality, almost no molecular evidence linking soil and rootstock properties to the gene expression have been reported. The transcriptome variation in response to different soils and rootstocks was investigated through microarray technology. The cv. Pinot Noir was grown on different soils: sand, turf, and vineyard soil. The plants were grafted on the contrasting 101-14 and 1103 Paulsen rootstocks. The modulation of genes' expression in response to different soils and rootstocks was evaluated considering their potential impact on primary (carbohydrate) and secondary (phenylpropanoid) metabolisms. This study highlights a link among soil composition, rootstock, and gene expression. The results open a perspective for a molecular interpretation of the interaction between soil and grapevine.