The FEM grapevine crossbreeding program for resistance to the main ampelopathies: towards climate-resilient varieties

The technique of crossing, whether free or controlled, has always been a source of variability allowing the selection of new varieties with improved fitness. Therefore, one promising strategy towards a sustainable viticulture is crossbreeding for resistance traits to biotic stresses under climate change conditions to reduce pesticide usage and improve resilience. With this awareness and vision, the Edmund Mach Foundation (FEM) began its grapevine genetic improvement program in the 1990s. Later, in 2010 with the exploration of the genetic pool of resistance loci to downy and powdery mildew, a group of accessions was selected as donors. Next, genotypes with stacked (“pyramided”) loci were generated through marker-assisted parental selection (MAPS) with up to seven loci combining resistance to both mildews. Then, upon protocol optimization a highly efficient marker-assisted seedling selection (MASS) was established, allowing since 2019 to overcome phenotypic screening and revealing inter- and intra-population effects. Upon multi-year agronomic surveys, grape quality composition and wine tastings, in 2018 four new varieties were registered for their novel organoleptic characteristics and tolerance to grey mould. In 2020 four (mid)-resistant varieties to mildews were patented and in 2025 other four are in the process. At the same time, the resistance to other “emergent” ampelopathies, as black rot, is being introgressed. Various collaborations are in place across the national territory for the exploitation of the superior parental lines. Lately, the genetic and phenotypic characterization of the FEM germplasm (ca. 3,000 accessions) has been completed, so that the scouting process within such biodiversity is continuously ongoing towards the development of varieties coupling disease resistance with climate resilience.