Molecular identification of neglected grapevine varieties from the Georgian vineyards

Abstract

The conservation of grapevine genetic resources in Georgia dates back to the late 19th century, when the first field collections were established. The major milestone was achieved in the early 1930s, when the Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking established the largest collection of local varieties at the Telavi Testing Station and initiated their characterization. The most extensive collection, comprising more than 3000 accessions of both Georgian native and introduced varieties, was later settled at the Dighomi collection of the Georgian Agricultural Institute. Currently, Georgian collections, including the largest, the Jighaura Collection of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture and the Shumi Collection, maintain a large number of local and introduced grape varieties.

Experience gained over of the past few years has demonstrated that, despite the high concentration of varieties preserved in thesecollections, some varieties could still be recovered from old and amateur vineyards, using combined ampelography and moleculargenetic approaches. The aim of this study was to identify grapevine varieties currently spread in the Georgian vineyards lacking precision identification.

Eight interesting accessions from various Georgian viticultural regions (Racha, Lechkhumi, and Kakheti) were selected based on thepreliminary information and basic ampelographic data. These varieties were subjected to molecular analysis using 12 SSR markers atthe CREA-VE Genetics Laboratory in Conegliano (TV-Italy). The obtained results were verified against the Center’s internal database (the largest and most comprehensive currently available) and the Vitis international Variety Catalogue (VIVC).

The results confirmed the presence of five known local Georgian and foreign varieties recorded in the databases. In addition, threeaccessions of putative Georgian origin, not previously documented in any databases, were identified. Further ampelographic description of these varieties during subsequent vegetative seasons is recommended. For two of the newly identified varieties– Rkatsiteli Mtsvane and Rkatsiteli Shavi –hypotheses regarding their putative parent pairs were provided.

Acknowledgements

The National Wine Agency of Georgia supported this work within the framework of the “Research Project for the Study of Georgian Grapes and Wine Culture”.