Development and characterization of new microsatellite markers for grape

Thirty five new grape microsatellite markers were developed under an international consortium involving AGROGENE. These loci were amplified in 41 Spanish cultivars of V. vinifera. Eleven of the markers were polymorphic and informative in V. vinifera. Twelve were monomorphic and of the remaining markers one was polymorphic but less useful because individuals amplified more than two bands and the rest had amplification problems. The number of alleles detected for the 11 informative markers ranged from 4 to 12, with heterozygosity values ranging from 0.6 to 0.8. Primer sequences are reported for these markers.

Molecular identification and genetic relationships of Algerian grapevine cultivars maintained at the germplasm collection of Skikda (Algeria)

We have used nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers to characterize a collection of 36 Algerian grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) accessions maintained at the germplasm collection of Skikda (Algeria). The genetic diversity observed within the collection was comparable to what has been described for cultivated accessions of grapevine. Moreover, chlorotype C, associated to eastern accessions and highly frequent among table grape cultivars, was overrepresented in the collection. Genotype comparisons among the accessions and published cultivar genotypes identified a few synonyms within the collection as well as putative synonyms for Algerian accessions such as 'Aïn el Kelb', 'Ahmar Mechtras', 'Ahmar de Mascara' or 'Bouni' among cultivars grown in both Eastern and Western areas of the Mediterranean basin. Furthermore, the study of genetic relationships among the Algerian accessions suggests the existence of close relatedness within some groups of cultivars that could have been originated by spontaneous hybridization and seed propagation.

Control biológico de moscas: un método con futuro

La presencia de moscas, al igual que la de muchas otras plagas, es en parte el resultado de desequilibrios ecológicos provocados por el hombre, al generar las condiciones artificiales necesarias para el desarrollo de diferentes actividades productivas. En los establecimientos pecuarios, se generan desechos orgánicos como bosta o guano en forma continua, favoreciendo el desarrollo de un complejo de moscas entre las que suele predominar la común (doméstica) y la de los establos (Stomoxys calcitrans). Las moscas afectan a los vacunos, equinos, porcinos y aves de corral, por la pérdida de energía que los animales emplean para intentar ahuyentarlas, por la disminución en el tiempo destinado a la alimentación (ocasionando una menor ganancia de peso), y por las enfermedades que pueden transmitirles.Academia Nacional de Agronomía y Veterinaria (ANAV

Control biológico de moscas: un método con futuro

La presencia de moscas, al igual que la de muchas otras plagas, es en parte el resultado de desequilibrios ecológicos provocados por el hombre, al generar las condiciones artificiales necesarias para el desarrollo de diferentes actividades productivas. En los establecimientos pecuarios, se generan desechos orgánicos como bosta o guano en forma continua, favoreciendo el desarrollo de un complejo de moscas entre las que suele predominar la común (doméstica) y la de los establos (Stomoxys calcitrans). Las moscas afectan a los vacunos, equinos, porcinos y aves de corral, por la pérdida de energía que los animales emplean para intentar ahuyentarlas, por la disminución en el tiempo destinado a la alimentación (ocasionando una menor ganancia de peso), y por las enfermedades que pueden transmitirles.Academia Nacional de Agronomía y Veterinaria (ANAV

Solar ultraviolet radiation is necessary to enhance grapevine fruit ripening transcriptional and phenolic responses

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation modulates secondary metabolism in the skin of Vitis vinifera L. berries, which affects the final composition of both grapes and wines. The expression of several phenylpropanoid biosynthesis-related genes is regulated by UV radiation in grape berries. However, the complete portion of transcriptome and ripening processes influenced by solar UV radiation in grapes remains unknown.Results: Whole genome arrays were used to identify the berry skin transcriptome modulated by the UV radiation received naturally in a mid-altitude Tempranillo vineyard. UV radiation-blocking and transmitting filters were used to generate the experimental conditions. The expression of 121 genes was significantly altered by solar UV radiation. Functional enrichment analysis of altered transcripts mainly pointed out that secondary metabolism-related transcripts were induced by UV radiation including VvFLS1, VvGT5 and VvGT6 flavonol biosynthetic genes and monoterpenoid biosynthetic genes. Berry skin phenolic composition was also analysed to search for correlation with gene expression changes and UV-increased flavonols accumulation was the most evident impact. Among regulatory genes, novel UV radiation-responsive transcription factors including VvMYB24 and three bHLH, together with known grapevine UV-responsive genes such as VvMYBF1, were identified. A transcriptomic meta-analysis revealed that genes up-regulated by UV radiation in the berry skin were also enriched in homologs of Arabidopsis UVR8 UV-B photoreceptor-dependent UV-B -responsive genes. Indeed, a search of the grapevine reference genomic sequence identified UV-B signalling pathway homologs and among them, VvHY5-1, VvHY5-2 and VvRUP were up-regulated by UV radiation in the berry skin.Conclusions: Results suggest that the UV-B radiation-specific signalling pathway is activated in the skin of grapes grown at mid-altitudes. The biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites, which are appreciated in winemaking and potentially confer cross-tolerance, were almost specifically triggered. This draws attention to viticultural practices that increase solar UV radiation on vineyards as they may improve grape features. © 2014 Carbonell-Bejerano et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Characterization of genetic variation within table grape varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) based on AFLP markers

AFLPs were used to characterize a collection of 35 table grape varieties. A single AFLP reaction with a single combination of selective primers yielded an average of 50 polymorphic and scorable amplified bands in this collection and was enough to unequivocally identify each analyzed variety, Genetic similarity between different varieties was estimated, based on the results obtained with two primer combinations, to be between 0.65 and 0.90, while sibling varieties derived from the same cross showed a genetic similarity higher than 0.80, The analysis of several samples belonging to the same varieties, yet from different origins, showed stability of the AFLP patterns as to unequivocally and reproducibly identify them. Furthermore, some specific primer combinations detected a low level of variation that could be due to somatic variation and would be useful in clonal identification

Intra-varietal diversity for agronomic traits in 'Garnacha Blanca'

'Garnacha Blanca' is a somatic variant derived from 'Garnacha Tinta', an old variety with large genetic and phenotypic variability. In this work we have studied for two years the phenotypic variation existing in 'Garnacha Blanca' for yield and quality related traits in accessions from 14 sampling locations of ancient vineyards in the Ebro Valley, Spain. The results showed high variability among the accessions in many of the traits studied in 'Garnacha Blanca'. Different accessions could be distinguished both years using several traits, including two important traits in terms of quality and yield: bunch compactness and yield per plant. A large environment effect, intrinsic to the 'Garnacha' group, enhances phenotypic variation among years, what requires increasing the number of bunches and years for clonal characterization in this variety. The dimensions of the berry showed the least variability, while traits related to bunch architecture like bunch length were discriminant and also stable

Varietal diversity within grapevine accessions of cv. Tempranillo

Intra-varietal diversity of 31 accessions named as Tempranillo or described as synonyms of this representative Spanish grapevine variety was assessed using 48 morphological descriptors and 95 AFLP markers obtained using 2 primer combinations. We could identify homonyms as well as accessions belonging to varieties which, depending on their regional origin, are incorrectly cited as Tempranillo synonyms. Genetic analysis revealed a high level of genetic similarity between Tempranillo accessions (SG >0.97), which could correspond to three highly related genotypes. This narrow genetic variation supports a monophyletic origin of Tempranillo, and could be the result of rapid multiplication and distribution of a very low number of clones.

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

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Grapevine Accessions Known as Albillo

Twenty-eight accessions identified under the name of Albillo or cited as a synonym of this ancient Spanish grapevine variety were characterized using 43 morphological descriptors, four different isozyme systems (CO, ACPH, GOT, and SOD) and two Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations. Genetic similarity data resulting from these analyses allowed three different groups of Albillo to be distinguished that corresponded with geographical and historical origin of representative varieties: Turruntés, Malvasía de El Bierzo, and the classical Albillo de Madrid, related to the oldest Albillo ampelographical descriptions. In addition, homonyms as well as varieties incorrectly cited as Albillo synonyms were identified. To ensure accurate variety identification, association among historical descriptions based on morphological descriptors and molecular fingerprints was required. Isozymes proved to be useful markers for varietal identification. However, only AFLP allowed distinction among closely related varieties as well as the analysis of intravarietal variation.M.T.C. was funded by a Ministerio de Educación y Cultura contract; I.R., J.A.C., and J.C. were funded by predoctoral fellowships from the European Union, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias y Agroalimentarias, and Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional, respectively. This research was funded in part by projects INIA SC96-010, SC94-092, and CM 07B-0010-1997. Support for research activity at the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología is provided by a CSIC-INIA specific agreement.Peer reviewe