Genetic diversity in native Bulgarian grapevine germplasm (Vitis vinifera L.) based on nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite polymorphisms

Fifty one wild specimens collected in different areas in Bulgaria and nineteen native Bulgarian grapevine cultivars were genotyped with 7 nuclear and 5 chloroplast SSR markers. Based on the microsatellite allelic profile six wild samples, collected from the Danube Riverbank, were considered non vinifera genotypes. The genetic diversity for nuclear loci observed in the cultivated grapevines was comparable to that found in other cultivated collections. However, lower genetic diversity was observed in the set of wild samples. The dendrogram based on nuclear SSRs separated most of the cultivated grapevines from the wild samples. Four chlorotypes corresponding to previously determined chlorotypes A, B, C and D, were identified in the analyzed samples that occurred with different frequencies in groups of wild and cultivated plants. The most frequent chlorotype among wild samples was A, while it was C in the cultivated samples. The differentiation of Bulgarian grape chlorotypes in the context of differentiation of chlorotypes in Eurasian grape flora is discussed.

Genetic diversity in native Bulgarian grapevine germplasm (Vitis vinifera L.) based on nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite polymorphisms

Fifty one wild specimens collected in different areas in Bulgaria and nineteen native Bulgarian grapevine cultivars were genotyped with 7 nuclear and 5 chloroplast SSR markers. Based on the microsatellite allelic profile six wild samples, collected from the Danube Riverbank, were considered non vinifera genotypes. The genetic diversity for nuclear loci observed in the cultivated grapevines was comparable to that found in other cultivated collections. However, lower genetic diversity was observed in the set of wild samples. The dendrogram based on nuclear SSRs separated most of the cultivated grapevines from the wild samples. Four chlorotypes corresponding to previously determined chlorotypes A, B, C and D, were identified in the analyzed samples that occurred with different frequencies in groups of wild and cultivated plants. The most frequent chlorotype among wild samples was A, while it was C in the cultivated samples. The differentiation of Bulgarian grape chlorotypes in the context of differentiation of chlorotypes in Eurasian grape flora is discussedThis research was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science, National Scientific Program “Genomics”, project №: G-5-01/2003.Peer reviewe

Growth and mineral uptake in micropropagated myrobolan 29c plants inoculated with mycorrhizas and bio-control microorganisms

We compared the effect of biotisation techniques on growth and mineral uptake in nursery-grown micropropagated Myrobolan 29C plants, against conventional techniques. Biotisation techniques consisted of inoculation of mycorrhizas (Glomus intraradices) and bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum), moreover, the soil borne pathogens were controlled through antagonist microorganisms. Nutrients (N, P, K) were supplied based on plant demand for biotised plants whilst they were empirically supplied for the conventionally managed block. Biotised plants showed a double growth (total dry matter) compared to control plants (34 g/plant against 18 g/plant) despite a significant reduction of the amounts of nutrients supplied. A fertigation plan is proposed to reduce undue mineral elements application by matching the plant demand for nutrients

Nursery managements of in vitro micropropagated rootstocks Myrobolan29C inoculated with biocontrol microorganisms

Two different nursery management processes for in vitro micropropagated rootstock Myrobolan29C were compared over an entire growing season, and during the field research of Sitinplant project. Specifically, the fertilization and soil-born pathogens control techniques routinely adopted by the Small-Medium-Enterprises (SMEs) were examined against those innovated by Sitinplant project. The Sitinplant management process allowed a reduction in the application of nitrogen and potassium by 71 % and 86 %, respectively, and 100 % for phosphorus. Soil-born pathogen control was found to be possible through the inoculation of antagonist microorganisms Bacillus subtilis QST713 and Streptomyces lydicus WYEC108. A substantial increase in plant dry matter accumulation was also observed in the Sitinplant management process plots. Sustainable fertigation plan is proposed to reduce undue mineral elements application by matching the plant demand for nutrients

Genetic characterization of autochthonous grapevine cultivars from Eastern Turkey by simple sequence repeats (SSRs)

In this research, two well-recognized standard grape cultivars, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, together with eight historical autochthonous grapevine cultivars from Eastern Anatolia in Turkey, were genetically characterized by using 12 pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers in order to evaluate their genetic diversity and relatedness. All of the used SSR primers produced successful amplifications and revealed DNA polymorphisms, which were subsequently utilized to evaluate the genetic relatedness of the grapevine cultivars. Allele richness was implied by the identification of 69 alleles in 8 autochthonous cultivars with a mean value of 5.75 alleles per locus. The average expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity were found to be 0.749 and 0.739, respectively. Taking into account the generated alleles, the highest number was recorded in VVC2C3 and VVS2 loci (nine and eight alleles per locus, respectively), whereas the lowest number was recorded in VrZAG83 (three alleles per locus). Two main clusters were produced by using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram constructed on the basis of the SSR data. Only Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot cultivars were included in the first cluster. The second cluster involved the rest of the autochthonous cultivars. The results obtained during the study illustrated clearly that SSR markers have verified to be an effective tool for fingerprinting grapevine cultivars and carrying out grapevine biodiversity studies. The obtained data are also meaningful references for grapevine domestication