A candidate-gene association study for berry colour and anthocyanin content in Vitis vinifera L.

Anthocyanin content is a trait of major interest in Vitis vinifera L. These compounds affect grape and wine quality, and have beneficial effects on human health. A candidate-gene approach was used to identify genetic variants associated with anthocyanin content in grape berries. A total of 445 polymorphisms were identified in 5 genes encoding transcription factors and 10 genes involved in either the biosynthetic pathway or transport of anthocyanins. A total of 124 SNPs were selected to examine association with a wide range of phenotypes based on RP-HPLC analysis and visual characterization. The phenotypes were total skin anthocyanin (TSA) concentration but also specific types of anthocyanins and relative abundance. The visual assessment was based on OIV (Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin) descriptors for berry and skin colour. The genes encoding the transcription factors MYB11, MYBCC and MYC(B) were significantly associated with TSA concentration. UFGT and MRP were associated with several different types of anthocyanins. Skin and pulp colour were associated with nine genes (MYB11, MYBCC, MYC(B), UFGT, MRP, DFR, LDOX, CHI and GST). Pulp colour was associated with a similar group of 11 genes (MYB11, MYBCC, MYC(B), MYC(A), UFGT, MRP, GST, DFR, LDOX, CHI and CHS(A)). Statistical interactions were observed between SNPs within the transcription factors MYB11, MYBCC and MYC(B). SNPs within LDOX interacted with MYB11 and MYC(B), while SNPs within CHI interacted with MYB11 only. Together, these findings suggest the involvement of these genes in anthocyanin content and on the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis. This work forms a benchmark for replication and functional studies

Pedigree analysis of the Spanish grapevine cultivar 'Hebén'

The use of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers allows genetic identification and parentage analysis of grapevine cultivars. Ancient cultivars like 'Hebén' were widely cultivated in the Iberian Peninsula along its history and likely contributed to the origin of varieties which are still cultivated today. The goal of our study was to search for possible first-degree relationships between the female variety 'Hebén' and other Iberian and Mediterranean cultivars. For this purpose, we used a set of 261 SNP markers which allowed identifying 23 trios and 37 parent-offspring relationships supported by high overall likelihood ratios (LOD scores). The results shed light on the relationships among several cultivars from Spain and Portugal, and demonstrated that 'Hebén' is a major founder of current varieties in the Iberian Peninsula viticulture, and contributed to spread the chlorotype A in this region

Pedigree analysis of the Spanish grapevine cultivar 'Hebén'

The use of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers allows genetic identification and parentage analysis of grapevine cultivars. Ancient cultivars like 'Hebén' were widely cultivated in the Iberian Peninsula along its history and likely contributed to the origin of varieties which are still cultivated today. The goal of our study was to search for possible first-degree relationships between the female variety 'Hebén' and other Iberian and Mediterranean cultivars. For this purpose, we used a set of 261 SNP markers which allowed identifying 23 trios and 37 parent-offspring relationships supported by high overall likelihood ratios (LOD scores). The results shed light on the relationships among several cultivars from Spain and Portugal, and demonstrated that 'Hebén' is a major founder of current varieties in the Iberian Peninsula viticulture, and contributed to spread the chlorotype A in this region.L. H. ZINELABIDINE was supported by a fellowship from the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional. J. CUNHA was supported by a Post-doctoral fellowship “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia” (SFRH/BPD/ 74895/2010). LHZ and JC were supported by COST action FA1003 “East-West Collaboration for Grapevine Diversity Exploration and Mobilization of Adaptive Traits for Breeding”, from European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research, through the funding of short scientific missions at the ICVV.Peer Reviewe

Grapevine cultivar 'Alfrocheiro' or 'Bruñal' plays a primary role in the relationship among Iberian grapevines

The grapevine cultivar known in Portugal as 'Alfrocheiro', and in Spain as 'Bastardo Negro', 'Bruñal' or 'Baboso Negro', plays a central role in the genetic network of the Iberian Peninsula grapevine cultivars. Three sets of different molecular markers, SNPs, nSSRs and cpSSRs, revealed more than twenty parent-offspring links with this cultivar. 'Alfrocheiro' chlorotype is definitely Western European but their parents are still unknown. The distribution of the cultivar, their offspring as well as the two main co-parents direct to a geographic origin around the Portuguese and Spanish border. This cultivar and their progenies represent about 15 % of the total grapevine acreage in Portugal, stressing the importance of 'Alfrocheiro' in the Portuguese wine character

Pedigree analysis of the Spanish grapevine cultivar Heben

Trabajo presentado en la Final Conference Progress in Vitis Vinifera diversity evaluation and use, celebrada en Lisboa del 7 al 9 de octubre de 2014.Cost action FA1003 - GRAPENET. East-West Collaboration for Grapevine Diversity Exploration and Mobilization of Adaptive Traits for Breeding.Several studies have shown that some varieties have had a large contribution in the production of varieties in certain regions, like ‘Pinot’ and ‘Heunisch Weiss’ in France. Previous results had pointed out that the old Spanish female variety ‘Hebén’, known as ‘Mourisco Branco’ in Portugal, could be one of those varieties with a remarkable role in the Iberian Peninsula. This ancient winegrape cultivar was already described in Spain in the 16th century as a white variety of grapevine producing large and sparse bunches of grape with big seeds.Peer Reviewe

Grapevine cultivar "Alfrocheiro" or "Bruñal" plays a primary role in the relationship among iberian grapevines

The grapevine cultivar known in Portugal as 'Alfrocheiro', and in Spain as 'Bastardo Negro', 'Bruñal' or 'Baboso Negro', plays a central role in the genetic network of the Iberian Peninsula grapevine cultivars. Three sets of different molecular markers, SNPs, nSSRs and cpSSRs, revealed more than twenty parent-offspring links with this cultivar. 'Alfrocheiro' chlorotype is definitely Western European but their parents are still unknown. The distribution of the cultivar, their offspring as well as the two main co-parents direct to a geographic origin around the Portuguese and Spanish border. This cultivar and their progenies represent about 15 % of the total grapevine acreage in Portugal, stressing the importance of 'Alfrocheiro' in the Portuguese wine character.This research was supported by: IVV – Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho (Ministério da Agricultura e do Mar-MAM); Programa de Desenvolvimento Rural (PRODER - Ação 2.2.3.1. - PA 18621 - MAM) and J. CUNHA was supported by a Post-doctoral fellowship >Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia> (SFRH/BPD/74895/2010) and a short scientific mission in the ICVV was part of COST action, FA 1003 from European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research. L. H. ZINELABIDINE was supported by a fellowship from the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional and a short-term scientific mission from COST FA1003 >East-West Collaboration for Grapevine Diversity Exploration and Mobilization of Adaptive Traits for Breeding>.Peer Reviewe

Grapevine cultivar “Alfrocheiro” or “Bastardo Negro" plays a primary role in Iberian grapevine diversity

Trabajo presentado en la Final Conference Progress in Vitis Vinifera diversity evaluation and use, celebrada en Lisboa del 7 al 9 de octubre de 2014.Cost action FA1003 - GRAPENET. East-West Collaboration for Grapevine Diversity Exploration and Mobilization of Adaptive Traits for Breeding.The grapevine cultivar known in Portugal as ‘Alfrocheiro’, and in Spain as ’Bastardo Negro’, ’Bruñal’ or ’Baboso Negro’, plays a central role in the genetic network of the Iberian Peninsula grapevine cultivars. ‘Alfrocheiro’ was already identified as a progenitor of several cultivars either by SSRs or by SNPs but until now it progenitors are unknown.Peer Reviewe

Genetic diversity of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars most utilized for wine production in Portugal

Portugal is very rich in grapevine biodiversity but nowadays only a small number of cultivars (13 black and 3 white) with defined enological characteristics are being used. However, there are still 51 cultivars with significant expression in the country which have a great potential to be used in the establishment of new vineyards. Considering the importance of identifying and understanding the genetic relatedness of the main cultivars used for wine making in Portugal, those cultivars were genotyped with the 6 SSRs loci VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27, VrZag62, VrZag79 and VVS2 that are recommended by the Office de la Vigne et du Vin for the elaboration of the worldwide database containing the alleles of all the known grapevine cultivars. A total of 49 alleles were detected with an average allele number of 8.17 per locus. The SSR profile of the 51 cultivars, at the 6 evaluated loci, indicates that all can be distinguished from each other. In addition, this study produces information on the relationship of these 51 grapevine cultivars with cultivars of other important Mediterranean wine producing regions