Genetic Potential of Grapevine in Türkiye

Abstract

Grape cultivation and viticulture, have been practiced since ancient times and make grape one of the oldest cultivated fruit species in the world, holding an important place in the social and economic structure of Eastern and Western civilizations in every period. It was determined as a result of archaeological excavations that the origin of Anatolian viticulture dates back to 3500 B.C. Two of the eight gene centers determined by Vavilov in the distribution of plant gene centers around the world (Near East and Mediterranean) intersect on the territory of Türkiye. Our country has a very rich vine genetic potential, both for wild vine (Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris) and cultivated vine (V. vinifera ssp. sativa), which means that Türkiye is the homeland of grapes. Due to its geographical location, Türkiye has ecological conditions that can be considered ideal for the cultivation of table and wine grape varieties. On the basis of research in the field of viticulture, the protection of existing genetic resources and ensuring sustainability should be prioritized. Plant genetic resources are strategic resources for sustainable plant production and are critical to maintaining food security today and in the future. Studies have been carried out by many researchers from the past to the present regarding the identification of grapevine genetic resources available in our country. Studies on determining our grapevine genetic resources started with ampelographic studies and continued with the use of biochemical markers, and today they are continued with the use of DNA markers. In this review, our grapevine genetic resources and their importance are described.