Eighth International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology Philippa Pattison Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology Project Number: TG08006 TG08006 This report is published by Horticulture Australia Ltd to pass on information concerning horticultural research and development undertaken for the table grape industry. The research contained in this report was funded by Horticulture Australia Ltd with the financial support of Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology. All expressions of opinion are not to be regarded as expressing the opinion of Horticulture Australia Ltd or any authority of the Australian Government. The Company and the Australian Government accept no responsibility for any of the opinions or the accuracy of the information contained in this report and readers should rely upon their own enquiries in making decisions concerning their own interests. ISBN 0 7341 1965 8 Published and distributed by: Horticulture Australia Ltd Level 7 179 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 Telephone: (02) 8295 2300 Fax: (02) 8295 2399 © Copyright 2009 TG08006 (28th February 2009) Eighth International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology Debra Robinson et al. Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology TG08006 Project Leader Key Personnel Debra Robinson Professor Steve Tyerman Dr Paul Petrie Executive Officer School of Agriculture,Food and National Viticulturist Australian Society of Wine Foster's Group Limited Viticulture and Oenology Adelaide University, 78 Penfold Road or PO Box GPO Box 582 WaiteCampus 96, ADELAIDE SA 5001 PMB #1, Glen Osmond MAGILL SA 5072 T: +61 8 8410 9855 SA 5064 P: (08) 8301 5520 F: +61 8 8410 9688 P: +618 8303 6663 M: 0400 950 125 M: 0488 488 416 F: +618 8313 0431 F: (08) 8301 5805 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] This document reports on the achievements and outcomes of the 8th International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology held 23-28 November in Adelaide. Thursday, 26 February 2009 Disclaimer Any recommendations contained in this publication do not necessarily represent current HAL Limited policy. No person should act on the basis of the contents of this publication, whether as to matters of fact or opinion or other content, without first obtaining specific, independent professional advice in respect of the matters set out in this publication. Sponsors (Alphabetical) Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference CSIRO Department of Primary Industries Victoria Fosters Group Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation Horticulture Australia Limited Jacobs Creek National Wine and Grape Industry Centre South Australia Research and Development Institute University of Adelaide University of Melbourne Contents Page Media Summary 2 Evaluation of effectiveness 3 Program 4 Delegate List 10 Key Outcomes 14 Recommendations 14 Acknowledgements 15 Appendix 1 Accounts 16 Appendix 2 Proceedings 17 1 Media Summary Climate change and fruit quality were areas of key interest when Adelaide played host to some of the world's top grapevine scientists at the 8th International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology - held at The National Wine Centre from 24th-28th November, 2008. The conference attracted 196 delegates, surpassing previous conferences in this series. There were 83 overseas delegates from: Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Spain, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, USA. The aim of the conference was to discuss the latest biotechnology techniques that will help the table-grape, dried fruit and wine industries. It showcased the latest research with a focus on where new techniques in biotechnology are being used to advance our understanding of vine physiology. With the recent sequencing of the grapevine genome, this opened many opportunities in grapevine biotechnology to improve berry quality, and to help understand the consequences and mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as heat waves, drought and salinity. The areas discussed at the conference were: Plant growth and development, Fruit development and composition, Grapevines and water usage, Environment and plant responses to climate change, Pathogens and disease resistance, New advances in genomics and functional genomics, and New advances in plant physiology. A special issue of the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research will contain reviews from keynote speakers, and abstracts oral and posters presentations. These reviews will capture the essence of the symposium and will be of great benefit to researchers and practitioners alike. As an indication of the outcomes of the symposium some of the titles of the reviews received to date are: The use of genetic transformation for functional genomics in grapevine. Conventional and biotechnological approaches for the improvement of table grapes: a review. Managing grapevines to optimise fruit development in a challenging environment: a viticultural climate change primer. Improving water-use-efficiency in grapevines: potential physiological targets for biotechnological improvement. Molecular strategies to enhance the genetic resistance of grapevines to powdery mildew. Several areas of R&D focus were identified in the presentations and discussions. Of primary importance was the desire to co-ordinate effort internationally, particular for large projects relating to climate change and grapevine systems biology and genomics. 2 Evaluation of effectiveness Feedback from delegates: only verbal feedback was obtained from delegates. This was generally very positive. Delegates were especially impressed with the integration of the molecular and biotechnology areas with the physiology and biology of grapevines. Positive comment was also obtained for: the venue (and seating arrangements that fostered interactions); the fact that all presentations (oral and posters) will have abstracts published in a special issue of Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research; our consideration of student participation and student prizes awarded for best posters. We had one negative comment regarding a missing delegate name in the conference proceedings. We also had comment from some of the European delegates about not having hot full meals (with wine) for lunch, but we deliberately did not do this in the interests of full attendance at the afternoon sessions. As another indicator of effectiveness: Media coverage: ABC SA Country Hour, (see below), CSIRO Times, Australian Wine 2030 Newsletter, South Australian Wine Industry (Ass. Inc.) Newsletter, Riverlink, GWRDC Newsletter,Wine Business Magazine, Australian Wine Industry Journal. Grapes on the menu (ABC SA Country Hour) http://www.abc.net.au/rural/sa/content/2006/s2432142.htm By Annabelle Homer Friday, 28/11/2008 If you're into the scientific makeup of the viticultural world - Adelaide is the place to be this week as the International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology is being held at the National Wine Centre. Over 150 delegates from around the world are here to find out more behind the humble grape and it's genetic makeup. One of the big topics of discussion is how grapes cope with stress which is of particular interest considering the current climate conditions. Two professionals in the science in the industry are Chris Ford, senior lecturer wine and horticulture Waite Campus, University of Adelaide and Professor Grant Cramer, from the University of Nevada. Chris Ford says he's looking at how the plant grows in the vineyard and how to better improve its productivity. Mr Ford has been impressed by recent breakthroughs. "From our research perspective in the last couple of years the availability of an entire genetic sequence of the grapevine." he says. "To put that in simple terms, as scientists, we've arrived at grape vine city and we've now been given this very detailed street atlas. Within that street atlas there is the structure of the city, how it's all laid out and then there all the instructions on how you'd get from one part of the city to another." This means scientists now understand how the grape vine makes it leaves, takes up water and how the berries are made and the qualities in the berries. It also means that scientists can measure how grapes can cope in stressful climate conditions - such as drought. Professor Cramer specialises in environmental stress in the wine industry. "Normally when the grape vine is growing it's going to put is photosynthetic energy into different parts of the plant including the shoot tips which compete with the fruit." he says. "So when you put a water stress on the vine the shoot tips stop growing and that energy can now be directed more fully to the fruit." In this report: Chris Ford, senior lecturer wine and horticulture Waite Campus, University of Adelaide; Professor Grant Cramer, University of Nevada 3 Program National Wine Centre of Australia Corner of Botanic and Hackney Roads, Adelaide November 2008 Sunday 23rd November 2008 Time Session 17.30 - 19.30 Cocktail Reception - Welcome Mixer Venue: National Wine Centre of Australia - Pod 3 Welcome: Professor Steve Tyerman – University of Adelaide (Australia) Monday 24th November 2008 Venues Registration: Entrance to Hickinbotham Hall, National Wine Centre of Australia Sessions: All sessions will be held in Hickinbotham Hall Poster Presentations: Refer to the ‘Poster Program’ at registration desk to confirm your allocated time