Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Virus 3 in Single and Mixed Infections Triggers Changes in the Oxidative Balance of Four Grapevine Varieties

Abstract

With the aim to characterize changes caused by grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) singly or in coinfection with other viruses and to potentially determine genotype-specific or common markers of viral infection, thirty-six parameters, including nutrient status, oxidative stress parameters, and primary metabolism as well as symptoms incidence were investigated in ‘Cabernet Franc,’ ‘Merlot,’ ‘Pinot Noir,’ and ‘Tribidrag’ grapevine varieties. Host responses were characterized by changes in cellular redox state rather than disturbances in nutrient status and primary metabolic processes. Superoxide dismutase, hydrogen peroxide, and proteins were drastically affected regardless of the type of isolate, the host, and the duration of the infection, so they present cellular markers of viral infection. No clear biological pattern could be ascertained for each of the GLRaV-3 genotypes. There is a need to provide a greater understanding of virus epidemiology in viticulture due to the increasing natural disasters and climate change to provide for global food production security. Finding grape varieties that will be able to cope with those changes can aid in this task. Among the studied grapevine varieties, autochthonous ‘Tribidrag’ seems to be more tolerant to symptoms development despite numerous physiological changes caused by viruses.