Abstract

Germplasm collection and characterization is essential for plant breeding. Chile holds a collection of 347 Vitis accessions at Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, La Platina, that have been successfully used to develop new table grape cultivars such as Maylen®. Located in the central valley of Chile, a section of the Vitis collection was characterized for two consecutive seasons for phenology as well as fruit quality parameters at harvest. In terms of phenology, the collections can be grouped in four main clusters, with a higher representation of individuals at the middle and late timing. Fruit phenotyping showed significant differences among wine and table grapes for cluster and berry weight, seed number and fresh seed weight, polar and equatorial diameters, as well as the ratio among these parameters. Interestingly, rachis weight, a novel parameter associated with fruit storage capacity, did not show differences among groups. Other novel traits, such as the combination of commercial seedleesness and berry equatorial diameters above 2cm were less represented, suggesting the need to create and introduce genetic variability for table grape breeding purposes.

Highlights

  • Phenology is described as one of the main factors to be explored for varietal adaptation and plays a major role in the distribution of current cultivars [1,2]

  • Grapevine phenology variability is high and has been addressed in several studies at the species level [3]. Growers use this information to 1) choose the variety that is more suitable to their vineyard, 2) adapt their practices (i. e. fertilization, topping) to variations in climatic conditions in space and in time, 3) coordinate logistics for harvesting, packing and cold house operations

  • According two-season phenological data table grapes can be grouped in four main clusters, with significant differences in all evaluated stages: the earlier group, harvested in 177 Julian days (February), includes only 2 varieties while the later one grouped 5 varieties mainly were harvested in 222 Julian days (March)

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Summary

Introduction

Phenology is described as one of the main factors to be explored for varietal adaptation and plays a major role in the distribution of current cultivars [1,2]. Grapevine phenology variability is high and has been addressed in several studies at the species level [3]. Growers use this information to 1) choose the variety that is more suitable to their vineyard, 2) adapt their practices In Chile 96 varieties are cultivated for wine production. The superior productive and quality of new varieties makes them interesting for growers, even when some of them may not adapt to the climatic conditions in Chile, and requires payment of royalties

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