Use of protein-based matrices as amino acids source in in-vitro grapevine

Proteins are sources of peptides and amino acids which are able to stimulate plant growth. Protein-based matrices are a novel source of these raw materials since they allow their availability in small, prolonged doses, which could be of interest in in-vitro assays. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the use of soy protein-based matrices in in-vitro cultures of grape, cv. Magliocco Canino. Their influence was assessed in different media conditions in the presence or absence of zinc (an essential microelement for plant growth). The shoots were evaluated after 35 days of growth based on their growth parameters (weight increase, number of stems, number of leaves, stem and internode length). A biochemical profile of the shoots cultivated in different media was obtained by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results highlighted the benefits of using protein-based matrices in in-vitro culture as shoots showed an increase in weight, number of leaves, and longer stems, also in zinc-deficient media. In conclusion, this work emphasises the potential of protein-based matrices as stimulants for grapevine explants. This could have important implications for the cultivation of these crops and could be the starting point for further studies on the stimulating effect of different proteins on crops.