Wild grapes of Armenia: unexplored source of genetic diversity and disease resistance

Abstract

The present study is the first in-depth research evaluating the genetic diversity and potential resistance of Armenian wild grapes utilizing DNA-based markers to understand the genetic signature of this unexplored germplasm. In the proposed research, five geographical regions with known viticultural history were explored. A total of 148 unique wild genotypes were collected and included in the study with 48 wild individuals previously collected as seed. A total of 24 nSSR markers were utilized to establish a fingerprint database to infer information on the population genetic diversity and structure. Three nSSR markers linked to the Ren1 locus were analyzed to identify potential resistance against powdery mildew. According to molecular fingerprinting data, the Armenian V. sylvestris gene pool conserves a high genetic diversity, displaying 292 different alleles with 12.167 allele per loci. The clustering analyses and diversity parameters supported eight genetic groups with 5.6% admixed proportion. The study of genetic polymorphism at the Ren1 locus revealed that 28 wild genotypes carried three R-alleles and 34 wild genotypes carried two R-alleles associated with PM resistance among analyzed 107 wild individuals. This gene pool richness represents an immense reservoir of under-explored genetic diversity and breeding potential. Therefore, continued survey and research efforts are crucial for the conservation, sustainable management, and utilization of Armenian wild grape resources in the face of emerging challenges in viticulture.

Monitoring and Genotyping of Wild Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris) in Slovenia

“…This study also performed a comparison of the Slovenian wild population with previously published datasets produced by other authors [16][17][18][19][20][21]. Our comparison extended to wild accessions from neighboring countries (Italy, Croatia, Hungary), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Balkans), Germany (Central Europe), Spain (Iberian Peninsula), Israel, Transcaucasia, and Armenia.…”

“…It is noteworthy that one sample from the Krnice site (sample 21) showed a similarity, at Q = 0.86, with the cultivars. Three samples (72 at the Vinje Katarija site and 2 and 7 at the Bric site) had a Q ≤ 0.70 [16], suggesting they are hybrids of sylvestris and vinifera, with a greater proportion of sylvestris. It has been shown that accessions in close proximity to inhabited areas, such as sample 21, taken near the village of Kovk, which has numerous grapevines on pergolas nearby, have a higher probability of contact with vinifera.…”