A single clone in different environments: the plasticity of the grapevine berry transcriptome

Phenotypic plasticity refers to the range of phenotypes a single genotype can express as a function of its environment and represents a key strategy to maximize fitness when challenged by environmental heterogeneity. Despite its importance as central ecological phenomenon, the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity remain largely unknown. We evaluated the plasticity of the berry transcriptome in a single clone of the common grapevine species Vitis vinifera cv Corvina through three consecutive vintages in 11 different vineyards cultivated in Verona area of Italy. Grape berry transcriptome clustered by vintages rather than viticulture practices and common environmental conditions. Plastic transcriptomic rearrangements were more intense in the vintage characterized by extreme weather conditions. In particular, secondary metabolism showed severe alterations with distinct metabolic pathways specifically expressed under certain whether conditions. The environmentally sensitive berry transcriptome analyzed in 11 vineyards during one harvesting season comprised 5% of all protein- coding genes and of 18% of the modulated transcripts during berry development. Specific plastic transcripts were associated with translation, transcription factors activity, transport and stress response. A set of genes that lack plasticity either similarly modulated or with constitutive expression during berry ripening were also obtained. Our analysis represents the first step towards the characterization of the grapevine transcriptome plasticity under agricultural systems.