Ampelograpic and genetic characterisation of grapevine genetic resources from Ozalj-Vivodina region (Croatia)

Abstract

Context and purpose of the study– Ozalj- vivodina region is small vine growing area (only about 100 hectares of vineyards), but with significant number of old, ancient vineyards planted between 50 and 100 years ago. Trend of abandoning or replanting ancient vineyards takes place for the last 30 years. This trend results in grapevine germplasm erosion because traditional varieties are replaced with well known international varieties.Few known traditional varieties are dominantly present in ancient vineyards together with many others of unknown identity. Historical data about prevalence and characteristic of varieties on this area are very poor. For this reason, we started a project with the purpose of identification, characterization and conservation of grapevine germplasm in this area.

Material and methods – Three years study (2016-2018) included ampelographic inventarization of ancient or abandoned vineyards in Ozalj-Vivodina area. A total of 61 samples (vines) were selected for further research and identification. Identification in situ include ampelographic description by standard set of OIV (Organization Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin ) descriptors. Genetic identification was performed using nine microsatellites markers recommended by the European project GRAPEGEN06. Genetic profile of samples was compared by national and several international databases for possible matching between profiles or with other varieties.

Results – Based on microsatellite analysis of the 61 samples, 45 different genotypes were detected which were identified as follows: 18 genotypes did not match with any of the varieties from available databases; 6 genotypes were identified as traditional or native varieties from NW Croatia (Plavec žuti, Kozjak bijeli, Dišeća Ranina, Moslavac (Furmint), Plemenka (Chasselas rouge), Graševina (Welschriesling); 8 genotypes were identified as rare autochthonous Croatian varieties from other wine regions; 7 genotypes represent common varieties from other European countries (Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Blaufraenkisch, Sauvignon Blanc, Rkatsiteli, Pamid, Chauch blanc; 5 samples represent a rare variety identified in other European countries (for example Gaensfuesser blau) and one genotype was identified as Belina starohrvatska (syn. Gouais Blanc). It is interesting that Gouais blanc was represented with six samples from five different locations even though it was not considered to be a traditional cultivar in this area. Ampelographic study shown that dominant genotypes have white coloured berry (33), followed by red (7) and rouge (2). Three genotypes had no clusters available during research. Three genotypes have specific muscat flavour and two have a female type of flower. This research shows that Ozalj-Vivodina as a small winegrowing area has rich grapevine germplasm preserved.