(Z)-3-Hexenyl Butyrate Induces Stomata Closure and Ripening in Vitis vinifera

Abstract

Agronomy solutions for modifying pre-harvest grape ripening are needed for a more sustainable viticulture. Field experiments were performed in <i>Vitis vinifera</i> L. vines to study the effect of the previously described stomata-closing compound (<i>Z</i>)-3-hexenyl butyrate (HB). Exogenous treatments at different doses were periodically carried out using a randomized block design. Firstly, we observed that HB was able to induce stomatal closure in grapevine plants. Under field conditions, the application of HB around veraison induced a higher color intensity in berries, and vines treated at higher doses reached this stage earlier than the un-treated controls. There was also a clear increase in both grape anthocyanin concentration and total soluble solids without having a negative impact on total yield. We therefore, confirm the role of HB as a universal natural stomatal closure compound and propose a new use for HB in viticulture as a ripening inducer, by accelerating anthocyanin accumulation.