UMR EGFV (Ecophysiology and Functional Genomics of the Vine)

EGFV (Ecophysiology and Functional Genomics of the Vine, is a Joint Research Unit (UMR) of INRA and the University of Bordeaux.

The research activities of EGFV aim at the modelling and predicting of: the development of the grapevine plant, the ripening of the grape berry, and their metabolism in response to environmental constraints and genetic background (rootstocks and varieties). These topics are studied from the vineyard to the gene, through a multidisciplinary approach combining ecophysiology, genetics, plant physiology, molecular biology and biochemistry. EGFV is targeting two main areas of research: (a) the rootstock and its interaction with the scion. Modelling approaches and QTL analysis are used to investigate the genetic variability of rootstock-scion relationships and the genetic determinism of rootstock adaptation to drought; (b) the responses of the berry to the environment. A phenologic model suitable for the classification of response of grapevine cultivars to climate change was built; another model predicting grape berry growth and water and sugar content from a few easily measurable parameters was constructed. Molecular approaches were devoted to the identification and functional characterization of regulatory genes impacting sugar accumulation and flavonoid metabolism.

Contribution to LabEx

EGFV will provide an integrative view of the vineyard ecosystem (short and long term impacts of alternative fungal disease fighting strategies, across different grapevine varieties; impact of climate on grapevine physiology, disease impact, and wine quality). Alongside SAVE, EGFV will also provide improved methods to decrease the use of phytochemical treatments in viticulture and to design the best strategies for reducing the effects of environment on grapevine physiology and wine quality.