SUSTEMICROP project: evaluation of grapevine varieties as agroecological innovations for climate change adaptation in sustainable viticulture

Abstract

Mediterranean viticulture faces increasing pressure from rising temperatures, altered phenology, and intensified disease incidence. The use of plant material adapted to future climatic conditions represents a promising strategy. Within the SUSTEMICROP project, grapevine genetic resources were evaluated under field and controlled environments in France, Lebanon, and Greece as diversity-based adaptation approaches.

First, traditional Lebanese grapevine cultivars, shaped by long-term exposure to Mediterranean stress conditions, were prospected and characterized. Phenological stages were monitored over multiple growing seasons to evaluate developmental patterns under local environments, while microvinifications assessed technological potential for wine production. In parallel, ten Lebanese table-grape accessions were evaluated for agronomic performance and quality attributes, linking adaptive capacity to both wine and fresh-market uses. To extend the comparative framework, experimental plots in France and Greece monitored the phenology of ten Greek, international, and disease-resistant cultivars under open-field conditions, allowing comparison of developmental timing and varietal responses across genetic groups. Under greenhouse conditions, controlled-environment experiments simulated current (2025) and projected 2050 climate scenarios, combining elevated CO₂ (~650 ppm) and increased temperature (+2.5 °C). The adaptive responses of conventional cultivars and breeding lines under selection were evaluated under these conditions. The combined results highlight complementary mechanisms of varietal performance, including historical adaptation, genetic resistance, and developmental plasticity. These findings identify key adaptive traits and provide a scientific basis for breeding and selection strategies aimed at securing Mediterranean viticulture under ongoing climatic change.

References

Merheb, J., Chalak, L., Roux, C. et al. Exploring the genetic diversity of Lebanon’s underexploited grapevine resources. Genet Resour Crop Evol, 72, 4321–4343 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-024-02203-z

Acknowledgements

PRIMA 2021 Sustemicrop project (No ANR-22-PRIM-0012-04).