Genetic Study of Native Grapevine Varieties of Northern, Western and Central Greece with the Use of Ampelographic and Molecular Methods

Katerina Biniari,Maritina Stavrakaki

doi:10.15835/nbha47111213

Abstract

The aim of this study was the identification and discrimination of 49 grapevine varieties that are cultivated in northern, western and central Greece with the use of the ampelographic description and the molecular method RAPD. The grapevine varieties were located in their cultivation centers and the studied samples were collected from productive vineyards of these regions. For the ampelographic description, 22 ampelographic characters were used following a list of descriptors developed by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), while for the molecular analysis 8 of the most polymorphic primers were used. The results showed that: (a) there is high degree of genetic heterogeneity among most of the varieties studied, (b) grapevine varieties ‘Xinomavro’ and ‘Zalovitiko’ exhibited identity with both methods used, therefore the latter constitutes a synonym/clone of the former, (c) high degree of genetic similarity was recorded between cv ‘Stavroto’ and ‘Abelakiotiko’, a result enhancing the view that they constitute biotypes/clones of an original/parent variety and originated through the accumulation of mutations, (d) a previous hypothesis is confirmed. This hypothesis states that in the vineyards of northern Greece, different varieties of Vitis vinifera L. as well as hybrids (direct producers) were imported. Names/synonyms were given to these imported varieties and hybrids related to their place of origin or the morphological traits of the grape/berries implying identity among them (‘Mavroudi’, ‘Voulgariko’, ‘Voulgaroudia’, ‘Vapsa’ etc.), while they are different varieties, (e) the combination of the ampelographic description and the molecular method RAPD is very effective in the identification and discrimination of grapevine cultivars.

Highlights

More than 70 grapevine varieties are reported to be cultivated in central, western and northern Macedonia (Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia, Thrace), of which a relatively large number of are considered to be indigenous (Ministry of Rural Development and Food, 2017)
The studied samples were collected from productive vineyards of these regions, while the names of the varieties were maintained as found in the various cultivation centers
The first group consists of indigenous varieties that have been cultivated since many years in these viticultural regions and constitute the base of many PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) wines, such as ‘Xinomavro’, ‘Limnio’, ‘Moschomavro’, ‘Stavroto’, ‘Abelakiotiko’, ‘Krassato’, ‘Vlachiko’, ‘Bekari’, ‘Priknadi’ etc. (Ministry of Rural Development and Food, 2017)

Summary

Introduction

More than 70 grapevine varieties are reported to be cultivated in central, western and northern Macedonia (Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia, Thrace), of which a relatively large number of are considered to be indigenous (Ministry of Rural Development and Food, 2017). The first group consists of indigenous varieties that have been cultivated since many years in these viticultural regions and constitute the base of many PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) wines, such as ‘Xinomavro’, ‘Limnio’, ‘Moschomavro’, ‘Stavroto’, ‘Abelakiotiko’, ‘Krassato’, ‘Vlachiko’, ‘Bekari’, ‘Priknadi’ etc. The second group consists of varieties mainly of eastern origin, such as ‘Karnachalades’, ‘Papas-kara’, ‘Sefka’, ‘Pamidi’, ‘Zoumiatiko’, ‘Keratsouda’, as well as the various ‘Mavroudia’. Grapevine varieties ‘Karnachalades’ and ‘Papas-Kara’ were cultivated in eastern Rumelia and because of the deep-colored skin of the berries, Greek viticulturists called them ‘Bogia’ and ‘Bogialamas’ (from the Turkish words boya, boyama = paint, color) (Hatziparaskevas, 1937/38; Stavrakakis, 2017).

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