Analysis of the origin of parthenocarpy in grapevine cultivar Corinto Bianco

Póster presentado en la 2nd Annual ConferenceFleshy Fruit Development & Ripening (COST Action FA1106 QualityFruit), celebrada en Chania (Grecia) del 22 al 25 de septiembre de 2013.Seedless fruits appear spontaneously in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) as a result of somatic variation. Stenospermocarpic and parthenocarpic seedlesness are known. The first type is widely used in table grapes production because seed development aborts after fertilization giving rise to seed traces and almost normal size berries. In contrast, small berries without seed traces develop in absence of fertilization in parthenocarpic cultivars that are appreciated for raisin production. The cultivar Corinto Bianco is a parthenocarpic somatic variant of the Spanish seeded cultivar Pedro Ximénez. Morphological and molecular comparison of flower development and gametogenesis between both genotypes were directed to understand the genetic and molecular basis of this parthenocarpic phenotype. Histological analyses showed that ovules developed similarly in both genotypes. However, macrogametogenesis was altered in Corinto Bianco showing disorders during mitosis after mother cell meiotic reduction. Microgametogenesis was also altered in Corinto Bianco, which pollen was 100% sterile in 2012 and 2013, compared with Pedro Ximénez pollen that showed only 8.47 and 21.64% of sterility in those years. The average number of seeds per berry was 1.35 in Pedro Ximénez berries, which weight was six times higher than in Corinto Bianco parthenocarpic berries with zero seeds. In addition, we observed partial phenotypic reversion in 2.6% of Corinto Bianco berries that carried one seed and displayed a comparable size to that of Pedro Ximénez berries. These seeds were unable to germinate in soil under normal conditions. Fortunately, following an in vitro germination protocol we were able to rescue 41 seedlings derived from revertant berries for further analyses. Gene expression alterations between Pedro Ximénez and Corinto Bianco, that could lead to the identification of candidate genes responsible for the phenotypic change, were analyzed by comparing closed flowers of both genotypes at 50% bloom time using the NimbleGen Vitis HX12 microarray. We identified 441 genes upregulated and 949 downregulated in the parthenocarpic mutant (¿2-fold change and 5% FDR). Interestingly, genes related with cell cycle and gametogenesis were downregulated in Corinto Bianco, including a cyclin (CYB1;2- like) and a MADS-box gene (AGL66-like), whose function in Arabidopsis is related with mitosis and pollen development, respectively. The expression of these genes could be related with defects in gametogenesis in Corinto Bianco. These preliminary results suggest the presence of defects in the meiotic mechanisms central to the process of gametogenesis in Corinto Bianco, providing clues for further characterization of the origin of parthenocarpy in this cultivar.Peer Reviewe

Caracterización genética y de caracteres reproductivos en variedades de vid sin semilla de Armenia

Trabajo presentado en las IV Jornadas del Grupo de Viticultura de la SECH (Sociedad Española de Ciencias Hortícolas), celebrada en Pamplona (España), los días 26 y 28 de octubre de 2022La apirenia de la mayoría de las variedades comerciales de la vid (Vitis vinifera L.) procede de 'Sultanina', una variedad con origen en Asia Menor. El principal objetivo de este trabajo ha sido la caracterización de posibles fuentes alternativas de apirenia en el germoplasma armenio. Se han estudiado 40 accesiones apirenas de las colecciones armenias de vid en Echmiadzin (ARM006) y en Nalbandyan (ARM011), así como de explotaciones privadas de la región de Armavir (Armenia). El análisis fenotípico de bayas se realizó de acuerdo con los descriptores de la OIV, y el análisis genético mediante el estudio de la mutación causal de apirenia en Sultanina en el gen VviAGL11 y del marcador VviAPT3 ligado al locus del sexo. El análisis de viabilidad y morfología de los granos de polen se visualizó por microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido. El análisis fenotípico de bayas reveló una amplia variación en el peso de las mismas, así como en la formación de rudimentos seminales. Las flores de nueve cultivares son hermafroditas con un alto nivel de viabilidad del polen. La accesión 'Karmir kishmish' se caracterizó por tener flores funcionalmente femeninas con baja viabilidad de polen y se confirmó genéticamente con VviAPT3. El análisis de microscopía mostró que los granos de polen de las flores hermafroditas tienen forma esferoidal con 3 colporaciones y numerosas perforaciones, mientras que el de la variedad 'Karmir kishmish' es también esferoidal, pero acolporado y con menos perforaciones. El análisis genético reveló que todas las accesiones portan la mutación puntual dominante en VviAGL11 que causa la estenospermocarpia en 'Sultanina'. De hecho, el análisis de 7 marcadores SSR y 48 SNPs demostró que todas son descendientes de la misma. Este estudio confirma que las variedades apirenas armenias descienden de 'Sultanina', y motiva la búsqueda de otros determinantes genéticos que causen variación en el contenido de semillas de las uvas para utilizar como fuentes alternativas en programas de mejora de uva de mesa

Phenotypic profiles of Armenian grape cultivars

The conservation and sustainable use of grapevine biodiversity in Armenia is particularly important due to the large number of traditional local varieties. Being partially different from European grapevine gene pool, the material of Armenian local cultivars significantly contributes to the understanding of the genetic variation and is valuable source for target selection. During last years many Armenian grapevine cultivars have been already described and their genotypes determined, but some local varieties and wild accessions remain unidentified and their phenotypic characteristics overlooked. The comprehensive analysis of phenotypes is essential for research, including genetic association studies, cultivar evaluation and selection. The goal of our research was the phenotyping on the base of reproductive, carpological and analytical characteristics of 80 Armenian aboriginal and new grape cultivars. Description of phenotypic profiles is important step towards identification and conservation of genetic resources of Armenian grapes. In future, these data can be applied for breeding of improved grape varieties targeted to fresh consumption and wine production

Phenotypic profiles of Armenian grape cultivars

The conservation and sustainable use of grapevine biodiversity in Armenia is particularly important due to the large number of traditional local varieties. Being partially different from European grapevine gene pool, the material of Armenian local cultivars significantly contributes to the understanding of the genetic variation and is valuable source for target selection. During last years many Armenian grapevine cultivars have been already described and their genotypes determined, but some local varieties and wild accessions remain unidentified and their phenotypic characteristics overlooked. The comprehensive analysis of phenotypes is essential for research, including genetic association studies, cultivar evaluation and selection. The goal of our research was the phenotyping on the base of reproductive, carpological and analytical characteristics of 80 Armenian aboriginal and new grape cultivars. Description of phenotypic profiles is important step towards identification and conservation of genetic resources of Armenian grapes. In future, these data can be applied for breeding of improved grape varieties targeted to fresh consumption and wine production

Comparison of DNA methylation landscape between Czech and Armenian vineyards show their unique character and increased diversity

Grapevine is a worldwide crop and it is also subject to global trade in wine, berries and grape vine plants. Various countries, including the countries of the European Union, emphasize the role of product origin designation and suitable methods are sought, able to capture distinct origins. One of the biological matrices that can theoretically be driven by individual vineyards’ conditions represents DNA methylation. Despite this interesting hypothesis, there is a lack of respective information. The aim of this work is to examine whether DNA methylation can be used to relate a sample to a given vineyard and to access a relationship between a DNA methylation pattern and different geographical origin of analysed samples. For this purpose, DNA methylation landscapes of samples from completely different climatic conditions presented by the Czech Republic (Central Europe) and Armenia (Southern Caucasus) were com-pared. Results of the Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism method confirm uniqueness of DNA methylation landscape for individual vineyards. Factually, DNA methylation diversity within vineyards of Merlot and Pinot Noir cultivars represent only 16% and 14% of the overall diversity registered for individual cultivars. On the contrary, different geographical location of the Czech and Armenian vineyards was identified as the strongest factor affecting diversity in DNA methylation landscapes (79.9% and 70.7% for Merlot and Pinot Noir plants, respectively).Supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, Project LTC18009, Program INTER-COS

SSR and SNP genetic profiling of armenian grape cultivars gives insights into their identity and pedigree relationships

The South Caucasus is recognised as the primary Vitis vinifera L. (grapevine) domestication centre and has a high diversity of wild and cultivated grapevines. Archaeological findings indicate that winemaking activities have existed in Armenia for more than 6,000 years, viticulture being one of the most important activities of the modern Armenian agricultural sector. Despite this relevance, some grapevines in local collections have not yet been properly identified, thus hindering the efficient conservation, characterisation and eventual use of autochthonous genetic resources. In the present study, a combined SNP and SSR profiling strategy was used for the genetic identification of a series of grapevine accessions from the Grape Collection of the International Academy of Viticulture and Winemaking in Nalbandyan, presumed to be autochthonous Armenian varieties. The results provided useful information for the correct identification of these genetic resources, revealing multiple cases of synonyms, homonyms and misnames. The genetic data made it possible to confirm the pedigree proposed for some of the cultivars identified in this study and to clarify the origin of others. In addition, we propose, for the first time, a series of new trios and duos involving autochthonous Armenian grapevines. The singularity of this genetic pool compared to other Western and Central European varieties, as well as the potential novel sources of variability in traits of interest (e.g., seedlessness) that were found, highlight the importance of improving knowledge of the Armenian grapevine genetic pool.This research was supported by the CSIC through the I-COOP+ 2020 call (project: COOPB20562). AN was funded by a MSCA individual fellowship (IF-EF-ST/0685-896290, GRAPEINNOVATION) and by a STSM from the COST Action FA1106 QUALITY FRUIT, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). JT was funded by a Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación grant (IJC2018-035036-I) funded by MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033. YF was supported by a grant from the Government of La Rioja

Genetic identification and characterization of Armenian grapevine cultivars

Armenia is an important area of crop origins including grapes. The objectives of this study were the molecular characterization of 38 Armenian grape genotypes and the detection of the genetic relationships between the accessions. In total, 164 alleles were obtained at 18 SSRs loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 15 with a mean number of 9.17 alleles per locus. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.514 (VVIN73) to 0.90 (VVS2) and the observed heterozygosity from 0.417 (VVIV37) to 0.947 (VVMD7 and VMC1B11). In our research the highest values of polymorphic information content (PIC) were obtained using markers VVS2, VRZAG62 and VRZAG79, while the least informative ones were VVIN73 and VVIB01. A high level of gene diversity was observed between ancient and new bred cultivars. Higher values were recorded for the new grape varieties, (He = 0.792) and lower values for ancient cultivars (He = 0.739). The mean number of alleles (MNA) for all loci per population ranged from 7.39 in ancient to 8,00 in new crosses. A clear separation was observed for the groups of ancient aboriginal cultivars, Vitis vinifera L.xVitis vinifera L. and Vitis vinifera L. x Vitis amurensis Rupr .crosses, which were bred in Armenia and seedless cultivars. Very close relationships with high similarity were determined for 5 pairs of cultivars. Two cases of possible homonymy were also detected. Our results are the basis for future MAS selection and target breeding

Genetic identification and characterization of Armenian grapevine cultivars

Armenia is an important area of crop origins including grapes. The objectives of this study were the molecular characterization of 38 Armenian grape genotypes and the detection of the genetic relationships between the accessions. In total, 164 alleles were obtained at 18 SSRs loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 15 with a mean number of 9.17 alleles per locus. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.514 (VVIN73) to 0.90 (VVS2) and the observed heterozygosity from 0.417 (VVIV37) to 0.947 (VVMD7 and VMC1B11). In our research the highest values of polymorphic information content (PIC) were obtained using markers VVS2, VRZAG62 and VRZAG79, while the least informative ones were VVIN73 and VVIB01. A high level of gene diversity was observed between ancient and new bred cultivars. Higher values were recorded for the new grape varieties, (He = 0.792) and lower values for ancient cultivars (He = 0.739). The mean number of alleles (MNA) for all loci per population ranged from 7.39 in ancient to 8,00 in new crosses. A clear separation was observed for the groups of ancient aboriginal cultivars, Vitis vinifera L.xVitis vinifera L. and Vitis vinifera L. x Vitis amurensis Rupr .crosses, which were bred in Armenia and seedless cultivars. Very close relationships with high similarity were determined for 5 pairs of cultivars. Two cases of possible homonymy were also detected. Our results are the basis for future MAS selection and target breeding