Genetic diversity of newly recovered marginal grapevine germplasm from Southern Italy for a sustainable viticulture

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the genetic diversity of 120 grapevine samples collected from marginal areas in the Apulia region, using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated by genotyping by sequencing (GBS). The relationships between these genotypes and 45 national and international cultivars were also examined. The study classified the 165 genotypes into six main genetic clusters and identified twenty-four presumed cases of synonymy and two cases of misnaming. Thirty genotypes appeared unique and distinct from the Apulian, national and international varieties used for the comparison. GBS-derived SNP data enabled the identification of private SNP alleles, and of loci differentiating two gene pools within the Apulian samples. Overall, the study points out the existence of untapped genetic variability within grapevine germplasm in Apulia, emphasizing the need to preserve it for future use in breeding projects.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by: 1) PSR Puglia 2014-2020 REGEVIP project, (CUP B17H22003530009); Misura 10-Pagamenti agro-climatico-ambientali; Sottomisura 10.2-Sostegno per la conservazione, l’uso e lo sviluppo sostenibili delle risorse genetiche in agricoltura; Operazione 10.2.1-Progetti per la conservazione e valorizzazione; 2) Agritech National Research Center and received funding from the European Union Next- GenerationEU (PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA 6 (PNRR) – MISSIONE 4 COMPONENTE 2, INVESTIMENTO 1.4 – D.D. 1032 17/06/2022, CN00000022); 3) Fondo per la qualità e l’internazionalizzazione della Ricerca (DR. N 2924 del 29/07/2024.