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IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Molecular characterization of a variegated grapevine mutant cv Bruce’s Sport

Molecular characterization of a variegated grapevine mutant cv Bruce’s Sport

Abstract

Variegation, a frequently observed trait in plants, is characterized by the occurrence of white or discoloured plant tissue. This phenomenon is attributed to genetic mosaicism or chimerism, potentially impacting the epidermal (L1) and subepidermal (L2) cell layers. In grapevine, variegation manifests as white or paler leaf, flower, or berry tissues, often leading to stunted growth and impeded development. Despite its prevalence, variegation in grapevines remains understudied. Notably, a natural mutant derived from Sultana, namely Bruce’s Sport, exhibits colour variegation in the leaves, although this occurrence only appears later in the growing season. Conversely, the flowers and berries are always variegated and are paler in colour. Furthermore, studies have observed that Bruce’s Sport displays a lower berry yield compared to the Sultana variety, along with reduced polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in the variegated tissues. This study aims to investigate the genetic basis of variegation in Bruce’s Sport and its effects on plant growth and development. To this extent, a transcriptomic analysis was employed comparing data obtained from flower tissue of Sultana and Bruce’s Sport. Additionally, differentially expressed genes were confirmed, aiding in the identification and characterization of genes associated with variegation in the Vitis genome, potentially uncovering candidates for future functional studies.

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DOI:

Publication date: June 14, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Poster

Authors

Clara Holm1*, Nina Wiese1, Manuela Campa1, Johan Burger1, Justin Lashbrooke1

1 Genetics Department, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

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Keywords

variegation, grapevine, polyphenol oxidase activity, gene expression

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

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