Ex situ ampelographical characterisation of wildVitis viniferafrom fifty-one Spanish populations

Abstract

Background and Aims Wild grapevine, considered the ancestor relative of cultivated vines, has a large gene pool that is currently endangered in Europe. These plants can contribute to improving adaptation capacity to stresses due to climate change. The aim of this study was to evaluate the key ampelographic traits to identify true wild individuals supporting the preservation and use of wild populations. Methods and Results Prospections performed since 2002 enabled the inventory of 51 localities with wild grapevines, most of which were located along Spanish riverbank forests. A morphological study of 192 individuals grafted in the grapevine collection of El Encin (Alcala de Henares, Spain) was carried out ex situ, and results were compared with data from 182 Spanish commercial cultivars grown in the same collection. Wild individuals presented morphological differences with cultivars, but only a few significant differences were found within wild individuals when comparing their geographic origin and plant sex. Ten morphological traits were relevant to discriminate wild and cultivated specimens. Conclusions Ampelography, supported by previous molecular screening, is recommended to identify wild grape plants, although it is not advisable to establish relationships among wild genotypes by geographical location or gender. Significance of the Study Results are expected to contribute to improved discovery, preservation and use of this important phytogenetic resource.