Domestic grape germination behaviour: the ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Syrah’ international cultivars’s study case

Abstract

The domestic grape germination eco-physiology is a little studied aspect since reproduction occurs predominantly agamically, despite the sexual reproduction remains the main form for the selection of new cultivars. In this study, two international cultivars grown all over the world -Chardonnay and Syrah-were chosen as models of the domestic grape for the experiments in the ecophysiology of germination. The experimental design consisted of chemical, mechanical pre-treatments and combination of them as the bird ingestion pre-treatment that simulates the transit through the digestive tract of birds. Furthermore, seeds were submitted to diff erent periods of cold stratifi cation -0, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days -to simulate the winter eff ect. Seeds were placed to germinate at diff erent incubation temperatures, to fi nd the optimal germination protocol. The results showed that domestic grapes retain the need for cold stratifi cation, and the best germination temperature is represented by the fl uctuating temperature that simulates spring conditions. Our results help to understand what the best germination conditions of domestic grapes are and off er a contribution to extend the knowledge on how the process of domestication may have aff ected the biology of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. vinifera.