Iodine application in Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ improve bioactive compounds and enzymatic activity in berries

Iodine (I) deficiency disorders represent a worldwide public health problem, with at least 1.9 million people estimated to have an unsatisfactory intake of this trace element. I content in plant foods is particularly low; however, it can be improved by biofortification. In this study, the effect of foliar fertilization with I (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 mg L-1) on yield, bioactive compound content, and bioaccumulation in grapevine berries was evaluated. Biofortification with I has positively modified yield, bioactive compound content and bioaccumulation. Intermediate doses (0.75 mg L-1) increased yield (57%), while high doses (1.25 mg L-1) decreased yield (28%) and incremented the phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, vitamin C, anthocyanin (50,34,31,71,26% respectively), catalase (73%) and peroxidase activity (57%), and their bioaccumulation in berries (59%). Agronomic biofortification with I is an alternative to increase yield, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, as well as the concentration of this trace element in grape berries.