Towards a relationship between institutional clonal selection, mass selection and private clonal selection of grapevine cultivars

Each grape cultivar is composed of a population of individuals that are genetically different. Clonal selection has allowed the purification and improvement of the global quality of the vegetative material for a limited number of grape varieties. But choosing clonal selection as the unique propagation method has decreased considerably genetic diversity. In order to carry out the selection of clones in the future, a diversified background of genetic resources must be available. Institutional collections (conservatory) are not able to preserve sufficient biodiversity. Genetic resources could be conserved by winegrowers through mass selection. 5% of the total acreage planted in vine in Europe done by private mass selection would represent 1000 times the actual capacity of institutional collections. A methodology of private mass or clonal selection is proposed. An economic study shows that the overall extra-charge is 13000€ per hectare for mass selection plot and 69000 € per hectare for a clonal selection done by a private company. It is urgent to promote private selection in order to preserve vine biodiversity.