Characterization of Grapevine Genetic Resources in the Comunitat Valenciana (Spain)

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ABSTRACT Grapevine cultivation is of historic importance arround the Mediterranean basin. The Spanish Levant is an area of notable grapevine diversity, where ancient varieties destined for producing wine, table grapes and raisins can still be found. For some of these neglected varieties, however, no complete description has ever been made; current legislation does not, therefore, allow their commercial use. The botanical characterization of old varieties is an important step toward their identification and can also help to clarify synonymies and homonymies, problems very commonly encountered with this crop. The present work provides ampelographic descriptions of seven genotypes for which microsatellite marker profiles were already available, and discusses the possible origins of their names, as well as instances of synonymy and homonymy. Seven accessions of ancient grapevine genotypes from the Spanish Levant were subjected to in situ ampelographic analysis following official methods. The characteristics of their leaves, bunches and berries were recorded. The ampelographic descriptions made in the present work provide insight into the history of cultivation of the examined genotypes and would pave the way for their inclusion in the Spanish national catalog, which would allow their commercial use. The information gathered on the possible origin of these genotypes’ names, and instances of synonymy and homonymy, enriches our knowledge of this recovered germplasm. The present results contribute toward our understanding of Europe’s grapevine genetic diversity, and highlight the need to conserve it.