Research interests:
Our group focuses in two research lines: the study of agronomic and enological traits relevant for grapevine breeding and the interaction grapevine-fungal populations, specifically filamentous fungi and powdery mildew.
On the first line, our work is aimed to analyze the genetic determinants of agronomic parameters such as phenology, productivity and berry quality and enological traits related to polyphenolic content of berries and seeds. The main objective is to identify candidate genes for specific traits in the grapevine genome by using DNA markers, genetic mapping and QTL analysis. The ultimate goal is the selection of genotypes with better adaptation to climate change in collaboration with breeding nurseries.
The group is also involved in the study of fungal biodiversity on the grapevine ecosystem. Our interest has been focused on understanding the relationships between powdery mildew and its host; in order to do so, different populations of the pathogen at the morphological, physiological and genetic levels have been analyzed. This knowledge can be applied to the development of programs to control this disease with less dependence on chemical treatments.
HERNÁNDEZ, M.M., CASTILLO RÍO, C., BLANCO GONZÁLEZ, S.I., MENÉNDEZ, C.M. 2024. Phenolic profile changes of grapevine leaves infected with Erysiphe necator. Pest Management Science, on-line. DOI 10.1002/ps.7769
MANSO-MARTÍNEZ, C., SÁENZ-NAVAJAS, M.P, MENÉNDEZ, C.M., HERNÁNDEZ, M.M. 2021. Wine quality and berry size: a case study with Tempranillo Tinto progenies. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 101, 3952. DOI 10.1002/jsfa.11035.
HERNÁNDEZ, M.M., PESQUERA ALEGRÍA, C., MANSO-MARTÍNEZ, C., MENÉNDEZ, C.M. 2021. Antioxidant capacity and flavanol composition of seed extracts from a Grenache × Tempranillo population: effect of sex and color Industrial Crops and Products, 161, 113177. DOI 10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.
MANSO-MARTÍNEZ, C., SÁENZ-NAVAJAS, M.P., HERNÁNDEZ, M.M., MENÉNDEZ, C.M. 2020. Sensory profiling and quality assessment of wines derived from Graciano × Tempranillo selections. 2020. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 127, 109394.
RIAZ S., MENÉNDEZ, C.M., TENSCHER, A., PAP, D., WALKER, M.A. 2020. Genetic mapping and survey of powdery mildew resistance in the wild Central Asian ancestor of cultivated grapevines in Central Asia. Horticulture Research, 7, 104
HERNÁNDEZ, M.M., MENÉNDEZ, C.M. 2019. Influence of seasonality and management practices on diversity and composition of fungal communities in vineyard soils. Applied Soil Ecology, 135: 113–119.