Genetic improvement for crossbreeding in table grape varieties

Genetic improvement by crossbreeding of table grape varieties was realized at the Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura for the achievement of the following main targets: early species, seedless species, species with high content of fructose in grapes and, at the same time, a research concerning the hereditary transmission of these features. The results are the followings: Registration in the National Catalogue of the varieties of 4 new table grape varieties that are interesting for their ripening (IC. 199, LC. 218, IC. 120, IC. 213).Information concerning the heritability of earliness, average weight of grape and bunch for the varieties examined.Achievement of varieties that have a ratio between the two monosaccharides considerably tending towards fructose. This feature remains constant throughout the years

A model of discriminant analysis on the basis of descriptor variables for the ampelography of Vitis sp.

Use of descriptor variables in ampelography is recommended to simplify recording of data and to enable useful comparisons. Parametric assumptions are, however, poorly satisfied especially with regard to statistical interference. In the paper some statistical procedures to improve the discriminant ability of descriptor variables are considered. The use of variances and covariances of variety by year interactions is suggested for the error matrix within a multiple discriminant analysis procedure. The adequacy of this model is verified in a 3-year experiment with Italian wine varieties. The discriminant power, as evaluated on the basis of the estimated distances among varieties, is satisfactory

‘Sangiovese’ and ‘Garganega’ are two key varieties of the Italian grapevine assortment evolution

Two synonymous cases have been found using a set of 11 SSR markers: ‘Garganega’ and ‘Grecanico dorato’; ‘Catarratto bianco comune’, ‘Catarratto bianco lucido’ and ‘Catarratto bianco extra lucido’. Molecular data at 36 SSR loci showed that ‘Sangiovese’ and ‘Garganega’ represent two key varieties in the Italian ampelographic assortment evolution, as they both have a first degree relationship with numerous wine varieties. ‘Sangiovese’ showed this link with ten varieties: ‘Foglia tonda’, ‘Frappato’, ‘Gaglioppo’, ‘Mantonicone’, ‘Morellino del Casentino’, ‘Morellino del Valdarno’, ‘Nerello mascalese’, ‘Susumaniello’, ‘Tuccanese di Turi’ and ‘Vernaccia nera del Valdarno’. Seven varieties resulted closely related to ‘Garganega’: ‘Trebbiano toscano’ alias ‘Ugni blanc’, ‘Albana’, ‘Empibotte’, ‘Malvasia bianca di Candia a sapore semplice’, ‘Marzemina bianca’, ‘Catarratto’ and ‘Greco del Pollino’. However, being ‘Sangiovese’ parents disputed and those of ‘Garganega’ still unknown, it was not possible to determine the univocal direction of the various crosses. Identification of the “missing” parents would allow these genealogical trees to be drawn up with greater precision.

Research on the meaning of the enzymatic systems (GPI and PGM) as parameters for the definition of varieties (Vitis sp.): The Italian case of Cabernet franc

Several studies carried out at Davis and Conegliano showed that isozyme analysis of the GPI and PGM enzymatic systems agrees with the conventional definition of the variety in ampelography. Differences were reported among varieties but not among biotypes of the same varieties. The only exception recorded was in the population of Cabernet franc in which GPI and PGM reveal two different types (A - the traditional type encountered in France and B - type encountered in the Italian region of Veneto). Further ampelographic, ampelometric, phenological and chemical studies on the polyphenolic and aromatic substances in fruits have shown considerable differences between the two types. Such differences demonstrate that the type B is a different variety and not a clone of Cabernet franc. Preliminary ampelographic analysis and the equality in GPI and PGM patterns lead to the conclusion that the type B very probably is Carmenère.Therefore, the hypothesis of variety discrimination based on the analysis of GPI and PGM is valid and this method is useful to help to characterize the varieties

'Vitouska' is the progeny of 'Prosecco tondo' and 'Malvasia bianca lunga'

'Vitouska' is a minor white wine grape variety, cultivated in the Kars region and recently recovered and revaluated by local viticulturists. Its obscure origins, traditionally linked to this land, are now supported by the results obtained from the present research, which identified the two parents, 'Malvasia bianca lunga' alias 'Malvasia del Chianti' and 'Prosecco tondo'. The latter cultivar has an ancient and well-documented presence in the same growing region as 'Vitouska'. Molecular analyses have been performed with 37 nuclear microsatellite loci

Deepening inside the homonyms of 'Wildbacher' by means of SSR markers

Sixteen accessions of the grapevine cultivar 'Wildbacher' coming from different European repositories and from Styrian and Italian private vineyards were analysed by genetic fingerprinting with SSR markers. Five different molecular profiles were found, confirming that the name 'Wildbacher' is commonly used as a homonym. Several new genotypes could be linked to the previous list of the 'Wildbacher' family. In particular, in Italian commercial vineyards two main 'Wildbacher' varieties defined by A and B genetic profiles were found. They correspond to the two reference genotypes from Styria, 'Wildbacher Blau' ('Blauer Wildbacher)' and 'Wildbacher Spätblau'. In both countries 'Wildbacher Blau' represents the most spread and better performing type and it is earlier ripening compared to 'Wildbacher Spätblau'. They were morphologically and genetically very similar to each other and they shared at least one allele at each of the 11 SSR loci analyzed for cultivar identification. Three different other 'Wildbacher' genotypes from a German collection were identified as individual cultivars. While 'Rotblättriger' (genotype C) and 'Frühblau' from Germany (genotype D) showed some genetic similarity with A and B genotypes, E 'Wildbacher', coming from Hungary, proved to have a distinct genetic profile. Close relationship to the key variety (for the development of European diversity) 'Heunisch' is indicated by sharing one allele at all loci investigated so far. There exist some indications that the second parent is an extinct wild vine. Evaluation of morphological parameters resulted in some differences among all five genotypes.

Childhood obesity and skeletal-dental maturity

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the skeletal maturation assessed through cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) and dental age, in normal weight, pre-obese and obese patients, using the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)

Can psychobiotics intake modulate psychological profile and body composition of women affected by normal weight obese syndrome and obesity? A double blind randomized clinical trial

Background Evidence of probiotics effects on gut function, brain activity and emotional behaviour were provided. Probiotics can have dramatic effects on behaviour through the microbiome–gut–brain axis, through vagus nerve. We investigated whether chronic probiotic intake could modulate psychological state, eating behaviour and body composition of normal weight obese (NWO) and preobese–obese (PreOB/OB) compared to normal weight lean women (NWL). Methods 60 women were enrolled. At baseline and after a 3-week probiotic oral suspension (POS) intake, all subjects underwent evaluation of body composition by anthropometry and dual X-ray absorptiometry, and psychological profile assessment by self-report questionnaires (i.e. EDI-2, SCL90R and BUT). Statistical analysis was carried out using paired t test or a non-parametric Wilcoxon test to evaluate differences between baseline and after POS intake, one-way ANOVA to compare all three groups and, where applicable, Chi square or t test were used to assess symptoms. Results Of the 48 women that concluded the study, 24% were NWO, 26% were NWL and 50% were PreOB/OB. Significant differences in body composition were highlighted among groups both at baseline and after a POS (p < 0.05). After POS intake, a significant reduction of BMI, resistance, FM (kg and %) (p < 0.05), and a significant increase of FFM (kg and %) (p < 0.05) were observed in all subjects in NOW and PreOB/OB. After POS intake, reduction of bacterial overgrowth syndrome (p < 0.05) and lower psychopathological scores (p < 0.05) were observed in NWO and PreOB/OB women. At baseline and after POS intake, all subjects tested were negative to SCL90R_GSI scale, but after treatment subjects positive to BUT_GSI scale were significantly reduced (8.33%) (p < 0.05) compared to the baseline (33.30%). In NWO and PreOB/OB groups significant differences (p < 0.05) in response to the subscales of the EDI-2 were observed. Significant improvement of the orocecal transit time was observed (p < 0.05) after POS intake. Furthermore, significant differences were observed for meteorism (p < 0.05) and defecation frequency (p < 0.05). Conclusions A 3-week intake of selected psychobiotics modulated body composition, bacterial contamination, psychopathological scores of NWO and PreOB/OB women. Further research is needed on a larger population and for a longer period of treatment before definitive conclusions can be made