Biodiversity and genetic profiling of autochthonous grapevine varieties in Armenia: A key to sustainable viticulture

Abstract

Armenia, as one of the ancient centers of grapevine domestication, harbors a unique repository of genetic diversity in its indigenous and wild grapevine populations, highlighting a key role in the millennia-lasting history of grape cultivation in the Southern Caucasus (Margaryan et al., 2021). Recent genomic studies suggest domestication occurred approximately 11,000 years ago in Western Asia and the Caucasus parallel (Dong et al., 2023). The immense biodiversity of grapevines found in Armenia, despite its relatively small territory, is driven by unique topography, varied climatic conditions, and a rich cultural and historical heritage in vine and wine traditions that spans thousands of years. According to the studies conducted in recent years, Vitis vinifera L. biodiversity of Armenia provides a valuable genetic toolkit for breeding and selecting varieties that are better adapted to abiotic and biotic stresses (Riaz et al., 2020; Margaryan et al., 2023). Moreover, local autochthonous varieties may possess phenotypic traits linked to quality, such as unique flavor profiles and wine characteristics, which could be leveraged to maintain competitiveness in the global wine market while preserving traditional viticulture practices and safeguarding genetic resources.

Until recently, there was very little information available about the precise number of Armenian autochthonous grape varieties, and there was often uncertainty regarding their actual counts due to the presence of synonyms and homonyms. Over the past ten years, alongside the renaissance of the wine industry in the country, large-scale inspections and genetic profiling of Armenian autochthonous grape varieties and wild genotypes have been initiated. This effort focused on the characterization and long-term conservation of vine genetic resources, supported significantly by the German partner, the Institute of Grapevine Breeding (JKI). The conservation and rescue of grapevine genetic diversity in Armenia is critically urgent. Many indigenous varieties are no longer cultivated or exist only as isolated vines, placing them at significant risk of extinction. Last thirty years, the widespread cultivation of a limited number of commercial vines has led to a significant decline in genetic diversity, with only 40-50 out of 400 -450 autochthonous grape varieties currently utilized in wine and brandy production. Numerous minor autochthonous vines, which hold regional importance in specific wine-growing areas, remain underutilized. This under-exploitation was attributed to the lack of comprehensive studies characterizing these neglected varieties, particularly in terms of their oenological and agronomic traits. These challenges underscore the urgent need for the systematic inventory, collection, conservation, and comprehensive characterization of grapevine genetic resources in Armenia. Additionally, a deeper understanding of the genetic diversity and relationships among genotypes is vital for promoting their sustainable use and enhancing the resilience of viticulture. The sustainability of traditional viticulture systems, also in Armenia, faces significant threats from climate change and associated environmental pressures, such as shifting temperature regimes, altered precipitation patterns, and an increased incidence of pests and diseases, which collectively jeopardize grapevine productivity and wine quality (Delrot et al., 2020). In this context, the rich genetic diversity of Vitis vinifera L. of Armenia represents a valuable resource for developing resilient and sustainable viticulture practices.