The parentage of Muscat of Hamburg

This research demonstrates that Muscat of Hamburg, a fine black table grape variety with muscat flavour, is the progeny of Schiava Grossa x Muscat of Alexandria. Two isozymes (GPI and PGM), 30 nuclear and 5 chloroplastic microsatellite markers were used. Two highly informative microsatellite markers from VMC (‘Vitis Microsatellite Consortium’) are suggested to enlarge the minimum set of loci selected for grapevine identification in the frame of the European Project GenRes 081.

The Muscats: A molecular analysis of synonyms, homonyms and genetic relationships within a large family of grapevine cultivars

The Muscats are a large, wide-spread family of grapevines, having in common besides the name the typical Muscat flavour. A huge number of synonyms and homonyms makes it difficult to identify them. Sixty-four accessions were analysed in the present work; they are representatives of the huge variability of this family as far as morphological aspects, berry colour and size, time of ripening and aptitude for wine and/or table grape production are considered. An analysis was performed at two isozymes and 25 microsatellite loci. The 64 accessions were reduced to 20, which were easily distinguishable from each other at the molecular level by as few as two microsatellite loci, The remaining 44 were found to be synonyms. Three mutants with red and pink coloured berries were identified in the Moscato bianco group. Moscato nero encompasses at least two, Moscato rosa three different varieties. It seems that only two of the analysed Muscats are the main progenitors of the Muscat family: Moscato bianco and Muscat of Alexandria, which in turn are joined by a direct parent-offspring link. We were unable to discriminate biotypes belonging to the same cultivar by microsatellite markers.

'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

Erratum

The Muscats: A molecular analysis of synonyms, homonyms and genetic relationships within a large family of grapevine cultivarsVitis 40(1), 23-30 (2001

Molecular characterization of twenty seeded and seedless table grape cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.)

DNA and isoenzyme analyses were used to characterize 20 table grape cultivars including Moscato d'Amburgo, Italia, Sultanina, Bicane and some recently released new varieties. GPI and PGM isoenzyme systems were able to separate the cultivars into 9 groups whereas the 8 microsatellite loci that were analysed revealed a higher discriminating power. In fact, all the cultivars could be distinguished by DNA profiles except Sugraone from its sport Sugrafive. Parentage analysis confirmed that the cultivar Italia was obtained from the crossing Bicane x Moscato d'Amburgo. A difference was observed at one microsatellite locus between Sultanina and the published data for Thompson Seedless, considered to be its synonym. The different microsatellite loci were evaluated for their informativeness

Autochthonous Croatian grapevine cultivar 'Jarbola' – molecular, morphological and oenological characterization

Research Note

‘Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce’ grapevine cultivar (Vitis vinifera L.) originated from ‘Negroamaro’ and ‘Malvasia bianca lunga’

‘Malvasia nera di Brindisi’ and ‘Malvasia nera di Lecce’ are two of the few Malvasias with black berries and belong to the Apulian ampelographic assortment (South Italy). Their presumed synonymy has been recently ascertained with SSR markers and therefore these two black 'Malvasias' can be considered as an unique variety. We discovered that this cultivar is the cross between ‘Malvasia bianca lunga’ alias ‘Malvasia del Chianti’ and ‘Negroamaro’ by using 42 nuclear SSR. Both parents belong to the Apulian varietal resources, since centuries. So far, ‘Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce’ origin has been obscure; now we may assert that this cultivar was born right in Apulia. Three sets of chloroplast SSR loci were used to determine the female and the male parent: 6 ccmp loci, already used in previous pedigree studies, 15 ccSSR loci and 2 NTCP loci, derived from tobacco. The second set of loci was sequenced in order to compare the length of the markers with the reference species where they were originally obtained: in 4 cases no microsatellite motives were detected and in other 4 cases the perfect repetition found in tobacco was not maintained in grape. Unfortunately, the three sets of markers failed to show any polymorphism. A detailed comparison of the black Malvasia morphology with its two parents showed a closer similarity to ‘Negroamaro’. Also the anthocyanin profile is in agreement with that of the black parent; its varietal aroma presents interesting levels of free and bound 2-phenylethanol, responsible for rose flavor, and of bound linalool compounds.

Genetic identification, origin and sanitary status of grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) grown in Babar, Algeria

This research focused on present grapevine biodiversity of neglected cultivars grown in 'Babar' region, Northeastern Algeria. The obtained results demonstrate the complex, rich, and even surprising inheritance of grapevine biodiversity in such a small region, with currently residual viticulture practiced only for direct consumption. Babar is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Algeria and part of the Atlas Mountains, considered very favorable for wild and cultivated vine growing since protohistoric times. Thirty-seven vines from the traditional growing area were analyzed using nuclear microsatellite (SSR) markers for cultivar identification and RT-qPCR analysis for virus detection and sanitary status evaluation. As a result, thirteen different genotypes were found, most of them showing a very good sanitary status, then constituting a valuable biological source for clonal selection. A close relatedness was evidenced with some Mediterranean varieties, resulting from previous exchanges of grapevine cultivars in the past. Furthermore, the present study highlighted the existence of three new genotypes, highly probably autochthonous of Babar region, with proposed names 'Babari', 'Babar-Algeria', and 'Amesski-Babar'. They could represent unique Algerian varieties, probably preserved over time. The conservation of these endangered genotypes is highly recommended

‘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.

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.