Plant diseases incited by eukaryotic pathogens, specifically fungi, wield a devastating impact on global fruit production, precipitating economic impacts

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Florida A & M University $500,000 on February 1, 2026, under the 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants program (Assistance Listing 10.216) to advance understanding of grapevine defense mechanisms against ripe rot fungus and develop durable disease management approaches.

The award funds research into how muscadine grapevines resist Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the fungal pathogen responsible for ripe rot disease that has proliferated in the warm, humid Southeastern region and threatens grape cultivation. Current mitigation relies on chemical sprays that present exposure hazards and create risks of fungicide resistance. The research will identify highly resistant genotypes through controlled inoculation experiments and examine the roles of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid in coordinating the vine's defense response via salicylic acid-dependent pathways. The work aims to develop a comprehensive, integrated understanding of grapevine biotic stress tolerance mechanisms that could inform sustainable alternatives to chemical fungicide regimens.

Performance occurs at Florida A & M University's Division of Research in Tallahassee, Florida, with a period of performance from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2029. The award is assistance type Project Grant.

Adverse ecological conditions propelled the emergence of disease in novel geographic regions, curtailing the cultivation of grapevines. A prime example is the rapid proliferation of ripe ROT, an insidious fungal affliction within the warm and humid southeastern region. This encroachment imperils the grape industry by inducing vine regression, thereby compromising both yield and the biochemical integrity of berries. Current mitigation relies on chemical sprays, which present exposure hazards and risks of fungicide-resistant strains. Plants have orchestrated an extensive defense network to fend off pathogenic intrusion. Muscadine grapevines display commendable ripe ROT resilience. Controlled inoculation of colletotrichum gloeosporioides fungus using ripe muscadine berries was able to identify highly resistant genotypes, emphasizing the potential contribution of secondary metabolites and the presence of comprehensive defense machinery that might impede fungus growth. Hormone quantification suggested that salicylic acid and jasmonic acid are part of key players in coordinating the vine's decision if exposed to ripe ROT fungal attack, through which a successful defense mechanism occurs in an SA-dependent pathway. Given the prevailing gaps in comprehending grapevine responses to ripe ROT, our endeavor attempts to address a pivotal question: how can we progress towards a holistic comprehension of grapevine biotic stress tolerance, encapsulating multifaceted mechanisms into an integrated framework?