Characterization of the largest relic Eurasian wild grapevine reservoir in Southern Iberian Peninsula

Rosa Arroyo-García,José L García,Antonio Gallardo,Hajnalka Bánáti,Carlos A Ocete,Rafael Ocete,Ángeles Pérez,Miguel Lara,María-Ángeles López,Manuel Cantos

doi:10.5424/sjar/2016143-8929

Abstract

Wild grapevine is becoming a threatened species in the Iberian Peninsula due to human impacts. The aim of this work was to carry out a holistic study for six years of the largest wild grapevine population found up to date in SW Iberian Peninsula. This population has 115 vines. Ampelographic and soil characteristics have been studied. Evaluation of its environment has also been studied by describing the main parasitic species and natural enemies of pests. The ability of this plant material for its micropropagation and storage in slow-growth conditions has been tested. Microvinification resulted in a wine with good acidity and medium color intensity, two interesting characteristics under a warm climatology. Finally, the identification of private alleles in this wild population, absent in other locations from the Northern and Southern Iberian territories, is a very valuable feature and confirms the importance of establishing conservation programs. The population here studied is genetically unique and potentially useful for commercial rootstocks and cultivars breeding that would improve viticulture and enology.

Highlights

Grapevine is currently considered the most important fruit crop all over the world (De Mattia et al, 2008), with about 8 million hectares planted but it is seriously affected by the genetic erosion
The aim of this work was to carry out a holistic study for six years of the largest wild grapevine population found up to date in SW Iberian Peninsula
99 64.9 5.5 9.2 1.6 97.8 3.5 7.3 in the Mediterranean area of the Iberian Peninsula (Ocete et al, 2002; Cunha et al, 2004), where the distribution of this grapevine subspecies is highly fragmented. This natural riparian habitat has been intensely modified by man along the history

Summary

Introduction

Grapevine is currently considered the most important fruit crop all over the world (De Mattia et al, 2008), with about 8 million hectares planted but it is seriously affected by the genetic erosion. Between the Iberian Peninsula and Afghanistan, there is only one autochthonous species of grapevine, Vitis vinifera L., within which two subspecies are included. Wild and dioecious, Vitis vinifera L. subsp. Sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, is considered as the parental of the other, Vitis vinifera L. subsp. This is a hermaphrodite subspecies developed along the domestication process, where most of the table grape, raisin or wine producing cultivars are included (This et al, 2006). It is necessary to underline that these vines had their genetic contribution to the Iberian cultivars which were included in the proles occidentalis (Negrul, 1938). According to DNA microsatellite analysis, Iberian wild vines have provided the chlorotype ‘A’ to autochthonous cultivars (Arroyo-Garcia et al, 2006), probably by hybridization from Phoenician age to present with imported hermaphrodite plants. Wild grapevine constitutes an interesting phytogenetic resource for cultivars and rootstocks breeding in order to cope the consequences of climatic change and the possible appearance of new pests and diseases (Mackey, 2009)

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