Evaluation of resistance of vine varieties to Aspergillus carbonarius and ochratoxin contamination

Aspergillus carbonarius contributes to grape rots in vineyards and is responsible for the production of the mycotoxin, ochratoxin A (OTA) which affects the organoleptic characteristics of the wine and the grape quality. OTA poses a serious risk to consumer safety because of its nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and carcinogenic properties. The goal of the present study is the evaluation of different greek vineyard varieties (Razaki, Mandilaria, Roditis, Malagouzia, Savatiano, Fraoula, Athiri, Sideritis, Mavrodafni, Asyrtiko, Xinomavro) concerning their resistance on A. carbonarius rots and OTA contamination. In vitro artificial infections were carried out on grape berries of the aforementioned varieties with a mixture of four ochatoxigenic strains of A. carbonarius isolated from Crete, Peloponnese, Attica and Macedonia. The evaluation of resistance was performed by assessment of A. carbonarius grape rot spots, conidia production and OTA production in berries. The results showed a significant variation among the grape varieties.