Survival and growth of Aspergillus carbonarius on wine grapes before harvest

Aspergillus carbonarius, the primary OTA-producing species in Australia, was inoculated onto the surface of Chardonnay and Shiraz bunches at pre-bunch closure, veraison and pre-harvest during the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons. Mean A. carbonarius counts decreased between pre-bunch closure and veraison, and increased between veraison and pre-harvest. Increases in A. carbonarius counts from veraison onwards were most marked in Chardonnay bunches during 2003–04; such bunches comprised more berries and were heavier than in 2002–03. Bunches with no berry damage yielded low A. carbonarius counts at pre-harvest and harvest. Exposure to direct sunlight over several days reduced viability of A. carbonarius spores supported on filter membranes by 105, despite the spores having thick, heavily melanised walls. The estimated cumulative UV exposure for that period was 10 mWh. Thus, UV radiation may be a contributory factor to the decline of A. carbonarius spores on berry surfaces, particularly in the early stages of berry development.