Disease-resistant and autochthonous grapevine varieties adapted to climate change

Abstract

European viticulture is economically and culturally important, yet Vitis vinifera is highly susceptible to fungal diseases, particularly downy and powdery mildew. Although vineyards occupy only about 4 % of European agricultural land, they account for approximately 40 % of plant-protection product use in the EU. New hybrids have recently been authorised in several European countries, and this project presents the first hybrids developed in Spain. The objective is to retain the characteristics of autochthonous varieties while overcoming limitations of earlier hybrids, including excessive methanol production and poor sensory quality. Current research combines phenotyping and genotyping to identify resistance-associated loci. Resistant and susceptible field phenotypes were evaluated for simultaneous resistance to downy mildew, mediated by Rpv loci, and powdery mildew, mediated by Ren/Run loci. Molecular screening of 1,300 samples identified polygenic genotypes containing at least two loci for each disease. Agronomic, pathological and wine sensory properties were also assessed. The new varietal lines showed improved resistance to both diseases, reducing yield and quality losses and enabling a substantial decrease in plant-protection treatments. These materials offer a promising pathway towards more sustainable and climate-resilient viticulture.

References

1. Domènech Guil, A. Disease-Resistant and Autochthonous Grapevine Varieties Adapted to Climate Change. Recording of the presentation delivered at Enoforum Spain 2026, Zaragoza, 20–21 May 2026. Available soon on Infowine Premium: https://vinidea.it/es/brand/infowine/

Acknowledgements

Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.