Innovation and insights

Hairy roots arise when the phytopathogenic bacterium, Rhizobium rhizogenes inserts DNA into a wounded plant’s genome, triggering the formation of rapidly growing root masses. The rapid growth and relatively fast establishment of hairy roots led to their use in laboratories, where they are used to…

This study investigated the sensory suppression effects of H2S on tropical fruit characters and evaluated whether the perceived improvement following swirling is a result of chemical oxidation or physical volatilisation.

Jose Luis Aleixandre-Tudo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Technology at the Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain, and an Extraordinary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

the objective of the study was to assess the grapevine water status of selected reference and alternative scion cultivars under dryland conditions in the Swartland region. It must be noted that the study aimed to assess grapevine responses in an almost worst-case scenario, i.e. grapevines growing…

John-Murray Visser is a PhD candidate in the Department of Soil Science at Stellenbosch University, where he also works as a senior research assistant.

This study is unique in that it is the first study to provide data on vines subjected to water-restricted conditions from the day that they were planted. It is important, because it contributes towards ensuring sustainable and profitable production of quality wine grapes in South Africa, even in…

This study looked at both chemistry and sensory perception in model wine with different varietal thiol and H2S levels. Using a model wine, they were able to manipulate the varietal thiol and free H2S at low and high levels and assessed sensory changes after different glass swirling regimes.

Lilitha Mwasi Njobe is a PhD candidate in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the University of Adelaide. Her research investigates the role of extracellular vesicles in the transfer of herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum, one of the world's most problematic agricultural weeds

The word “heritage” usually conjures images of crumbling stone monuments or historical archives. However, a groundbreaking research project has reframed the conversation, positioning the vine itself as a form of living heritage – one that stands on the front lines of a shifting climate.

The Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference, held every three years, also featured a Bus Tour Programme in 2025. Carolyn Howell did two of these bus tours on 18 July and 23 July.

This study set out to explore how different seed levels influence the phenolic composition of Merlot and Shiraz wines.

Wineries generate variable wastewater effluent that could be costly to treat and difficult to discharge or reuse. A shear‑enhanced flotation separation (SEFS) process – combining hydrodynamic shear, coagulation, flocculation and dissolved air flotation was designed, developed and piloted to…