High-throughput 18K SNP array to assess genetic variability of the main grapevine cultivars from Sicily

The viticulture of Sicily, for its vocation, is one of the most important and ancient forms in Italy. Autochthonous grapevine cultivars, many of which known throughout the world, have always been cultivated in the island from many centuries. With the aim to preserve this large grapevine diversity, previous studies have already started to assess the genetic variability among the Sicilian cultivars by using morphological and microsatellite markers. In this study, simple sequence repeat (SSR) were utilized to verify the true-to-typeness of a large clone collection (101) belonging to 21 biotypes of the most 10 cultivated Sicilian cultivars. Afterwards, 42 Organization Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV) descriptors and a high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array (Vitis18kSNP) were applied to assess genetic variability among cultivars and biotypes of the same cultivar. Ampelographic traits and high-throughput SNP genotyping platforms provided an accuracy estimation of genetic diversity in the Sicilian germplasm, showing the relationships among cultivars by cluster and multivariate analyses. The large SNP panel defined sub-clusters unable to discern among biotypes, previously classified by ampelographic analysis, belonging to each cultivar. These results suggested that a very large number of SNP did not cover the genome regions harboring few morphological traits. Genetic structure of the collection revealed a clear optimum number of groups for K = 3, clustering in the same group a significant portion of family-related genotypes. Parentage analysis highlighted significant relationships among Sicilian grape cultivars and Sangiovese, as already reported, but also the first evidences of the relationships between Nero d’Avola and both Inzolia and Catarratto. Finally, a small panel of highly informative markers (12 SNPs) allowed us to isolate a private profile for each Sicilian cultivar, providing a new tool for cultivar identification

Genetic and phenetic exploration of Georgian grapevine germplasm

One hundred and forty seven accessions of Georgian grapevine germplasm have been analyzed by phenotypical and genetic markers. Accessions were described according to the IPGRI, GENRES 081, O.I.V., and UPOV united descriptors. Morphometric data were collected both on fruits (bunches, berries, and seeds) and leaves (81 measures per leaf). Chemometric data involved variables of technological maturation and berry skin anthocyanins (total and relative profiling). The six nuclear microsatellite loci, defined and selected in the frame of the GENRES 081 EU project, have been used for genotyping. Statistical data processing by multivariate method evidenced a high degree of genetic diversity. Almost all accessions were defined by a unique genotype. Genetic and phenetic grouping were related to the geographical origin of the varieties

Genetic characterization of Sardinia cultivars by ssr markers analysis

Aim: The objective of the present study is to investigate the molecular characteristics of Sardinian grapevine cultivars to evaluate cases of synonyms and false attributions to protect local agro-biodiversity. Methods and results: The SSR analysis ( 13 loci) has been used to define the DNA fingerprint and (he relationships with Sardinian grapevine cultivars. Results highlighted a high genetic variability among the accessions, with the Dice coefficients performing from 0 to 0.8. Despite the genetic richness, thirteen groups of redundant genotypes were detected. Molecular analysis refers of cultivars harbouring the same SSR profile but different berry colours such as cultivars Licronaxu Bianco and Nero and Moscatello Bianco and Nero. It could by hypothesized that Licronaxu and Moscatello could derive from a specific rerrotransposon-induced mutation event in genes regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis. Conclusion: Sardinian germplasm has a real problem of cultivar identification probably due to different factors such as the absence of an exhaustive ampelography, problems in the language to name varieties and the existence of cultivars sensitive to biotic and abiotic stresses producing evident morphological modifications leading to mistakes in recognising and identifying properly UK affected plants. However, our molecular results suggest that high grape-biodiversity is still preserved in this region. Significance and impact of study: Results of this work clarified the relationships among grapevine cultivars and provided a solid basis to improve a regional grapevine collection

genetic and phenetic exploration of georgian grapevine germplasm

One hundred and forty seven accessions of Georgian grapevine germplasm have been analyzed by phenotypical and genetic markers. Accessions were described according to the IPGRI, GENRES 081, O.I.V., and UPOV united descriptors. Morphometric data were collected both on fruits (bunches, berries, and seeds) and leaves (81 measures per leaf). Chemometric data involved variables of technological maturation and berry skin anthocyanins (total and relative profiling). The six nuclear microsatellite loci, defined and selected in the frame of the GENRES 081 EU project, have been used for genotyping. Statistical data processing by multivariate method evidenced a high degree of genetic diversity. Almost all accessions were defined by a unique genotype. Genetic and phenetic grouping were related to the geographical origin of the varieties