Recovering Ancient Grapevine Cultivars in the Balearic Islands: Sanitary Status Evaluation and Virus Elimination

Abstract

Recuperation and genetic diversity preservation of local cultivars have acquired a huge interest in viticulture areas worldwide. In the Balearic Islands, most of the old cultivars are only preserved in grapevine germplasm banks, and so far, the sanitary status of these local cultivars has remained unexplored. The aim of this study was to survey and detect the virus incidence of all conserved cultivars in the government Grapevine Germplasm Bank of the Balearic Islands and to promote the sanitary recovery of two important minor cultivars, Argamussa and Gorgollassa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screenings were performed on 315 vines of 33 local cultivars. It was shown that the local cultivars were highly infected with simple (39.7%) and mixed infections (52.1%) and only 8.25% of them were free from the viruses tested. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) infection was the most common (82%). Moreover, Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) were also present with considerable incidence (25.4% and 43.5%, respectively). In addition, two sanitation protocols were used: shoot tip culture (ST) and thermotherapy in combination with shoot tip culture (CT). Virus elimination using only ST was effective to obtain “healthy” vines of cvs. Argamussa and Gorgollassa. It is important to emphasize that the methods described in the current study were rapid and effective in eliminating both GLRaV-3 and GFLV, also in combination.

Metaviromic Characterization of Betaflexivirus Populations Associated with a Vitis cultivar Collection in South Africa

“…In addition to this, grapevine biodiversity is currently facing significant threats and undergoing a widespread contraction, partly due to the “globalization of wine” phenomenon [ 69 ]. This trend has resulted in the global cultivation of a limited number of popular grape cultivars, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay [ 70 ]. Ampelographic collections like the D2 vineyard play a crucial role in preserving grapevine biodiversity and serve as valuable genetic resources [ 60 ].…”

Genetic and Epigenetic Responses of Autochthonous Grapevine Cultivars from the ‘Epirus’ Region of Greece upon Consecutive Drought Stress

“…Moreover, the emerging need to identify genetic material with high fruit quality and unique wine characteristics has intensified the conservation of ancient grapevine genetic material and indigenous cultivars, not only in gene bank collections but also in field collections. In several cases, special care was taken in relation to their sanitary status [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. In Greece, during the period 1960–1980, intense cultivation of only specific Greek cultivars and the dominant foreign ones resulted in a drastic limitation of the cultivation and under-utilization of the many autochthonous cultivars, leading to significant genetic erosion of biodiversity [ 7 ].…”

“…In Greece, during the period 1960–1980, intense cultivation of only specific Greek cultivars and the dominant foreign ones resulted in a drastic limitation of the cultivation and under-utilization of the many autochthonous cultivars, leading to significant genetic erosion of biodiversity [ 7 ]. In recent years, however, a plethora of research projects have been conducted worldwide to explore and re-utilize the biodiversity of the grapevine autochthonous cultivars [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Moreover, maintaining a wide range of cultivars is of fundamental importance for identifying and preserving the most adequate plant genetic material with resilience to specific environmental stressors [ 8 ].…”

Grapevine Virome of the Don Ampelographic Collection in Russia Has Concealed Five Novel Viruses

“…The problem of virus accumulation in the grapevine germplasm collections is being studied worldwide. For example, screening of autochthonous cultivars from the Balearic Islands (Spain) has shown that more than 52% of the grapevines are affected by a mixed viral infection, with the economically significant GLRaV-3 and GFLV being some of the most common viruses [19]. A metaviromic study of betaflexiviruses in the South African ampelographic collection has also revealed a predominance of multiple virus infections, including economically significant viruses [20].…”