Phenylalanine and urea foliar application: Effect on grape and must microbiota

- The foliar fertilization of vines changes the microbial grape and must community.
- 75 microbial species were identified in grapes and musts by DGGE.
- Urea caused significant changes in microbial diversity and population structure.

The main aim of this study was to describe the impact of foliar phenylalanine and urea application on grape and must microbial populations. The tool used to perform the ecological study was DGGE conducted with several infusions in non-enriched and enriched liquid media, as well as direct DNA extractions of grapes and musts. A total of 75 microbial species were found in the study. The alpha diversity indices of grape after both foliar nitrogen treatments did not show significant changes in comparison to the control samples, but were modified in some indices in must samples. The phenylalanine must sample was similar to the control, while foliar urea application caused significant changes in microbial diversity and population structure in comparison to the control must. Further research would be necessary to properly predict the impact on winemaking of the effects observed in this study for grape and must microbiota, especially regarding the foliar application of urea.