Genetic structure of the ampelographic collection maintained in the Dagestan experimental station of VIR revealed by microsatellite analysis

Abstract

72 grape accessions from the ampelographic collection of the Dagestan Experimental Station of VIR (DOS VIR, the North Caucasus) were evaluated with eight microsatellite markers that have been previously recommended for grape varietal identification. 132 alleles of the eight SSR loci were detected, their PIC varied in the range 0.63-0.87. Four genetic clusters (K) were outlined in the assessed genetic diversity. Each of the first three clusters combined grape accessions of the same geographical origin and represents a distinct ecological-geographical group -convar. orientalis Negr., convar. occidentalis Negr. and convar. pontica Negr. The fourth cluster included mainly hybrids.