BIOVID: new generation of grapevine biotypes for adaptation to wide agroclimatic variations

Abstract

For VIVEROS VILLANUEVA (VV), it is vitally important to have grafted plants capable of adapting to the changing climatic and agronomic conditions faced by the wine sector. The overall objective of this project is the development and implementation of a flexible and effective methodology, through exhaustive genotyping of plant material with molecular markers based on Single Repeat Sequences (SSR), supported by a next-generation massive parallel sequencing technique, which allows for the differentiation of grapevine biotypes. The work considers innovation through the implementation of massive genomic sequencing as a viable part of the grapevine plant propagation process. To achieve these objectives, VV, together with the Sierra Cantabria and Muga wineries, has carried out numerous prospecting of vineyards in Spain and Portugal. Since 2024, nearly 200 plots have been examined, representing 850 biotypes of more than 36 national varieties (Airén, Albariño, Albillo Mayor, Bobal, Bruñal, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cayetana blanca, Chardonnay, Garnacha blanca, Garnacha tinta, Godello, Graciano, Hondarribi Beltza, Hondarribi Zuri, Macabeo, Maturana blanca, Maturana tinta, Mazuela, Mencía, Merlot, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Palomino Fino, Pardina, Parellada, Pedro Ximénez, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tempranillo blanco, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Treixadura, Verdejo and Xarello) and 4 international varieties (Malvasia Istriana, Vranac, Saperavi, and Rkatsieli). The potential benefits are as follows:

To obtain a large collection of old biotypes that have adapted exceptionally well to the changes of recent decades, primarily those linked to the effects of climate change.

To prevent the genetic erosion of Iberian vineyards by recovering and valuing plant material with a high probability of being lost, given the advanced age of the plants to be prospected.

For VIVEROS VILLANUEVA, this will mean having plants capable of meeting new market demands and, at the same time, mitigating the consequences of the agroclimatic trend we are facing, while maintaining production and quality levels.

The results obtained so far have allowed us to genetically differentiate the biotypes of Tinta del País, Tinta de Toro, Tempranillo, and Tinta Roriz using massive sequencing techniques, as well as to have 850 multivarietal biotypes of great genetic value for conservation and future propagation.

References

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IPGRI, UPOV, OIV (1997) Descriptors for Grapevine (Vitis spp.). International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, Geneva, Switzerland/Office International de la Vigne et du Vin, Paris,

Lacombe T, Boursiquot JJ-M, Laucou Vet al (2013) Large-scale parentage analysis in an extended set of grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.). Theor Appl Genet 126:401-414. doi:10.1007/s00122-012-1988-2.