Harnessing Trichoderma to enhance drought resilience in grapevines: a strategy for combating climate change

Abstract

As climate change intensifies, grape-growing regions in New Zealand face increasing drought challenges. To sustain grape production and wine quality, new strategies are needed to enhance grapevine resilience. One promising solution is using soil beneficial microbes like Trichoderma to improve drought tolerance in grapevines. This study investigated the effects of Trichoderma on young, grafted Sauvignon Blanc grapevines under controlled glasshouse conditions. Grapevines were planted in four different soil types, including Temuka_50a.1 soil from Marlborough, known for its high water-holding capacity and vulnerability to waterlogging. Two sets of plants were established for each soil type: one treated with Trichoderma and a control group without inoculation. Using long-read amplicon sequencing, the microbial communities in the soil were analysed. The treated grapevines exhibited enhanced root growth and drought resilience, producing more root biomass and maintaining growth with less water. However, no significant changes were observed in physiological functions like stomatal conductance and photosynthesis during the six-month trial. This suggests that while Trichoderma improves root development and water use efficiency, its effects on grapevine physiology may be limited in the short term. Overall, Trichoderma shows potential for helping grapevines cope with drier conditions.