When the grapevine diversity reveals us some secrets of resilience in old vineyards and in gene pool germplasm in Portugal

Abstract

Vitis vinifera L. is the main European grapevine species used for wine production. It is characterized by the production of grapes and wines with unique organoleptic properties, distinguished by high quality and the absence of strong “foxy” aromas. This quality resultsfrom the long-term evolution of grapevine diversity driven by human selection through both seed propagation and vegetative reproduction using cuttings.

In recent years, advances in the search for grapevine varieties that are more resilient to biotic and abiotic stresses have led to the further exploitation of selected varieties identified in old vineyards across diverse environments and preserved in ampelographiccollections.

The aim of this study arises from the identification of resilience to environmental stresses, either within the gene pool of the collection or in ancient vineyards.

Twenty-two accessions were selected for this study and subjected to morphological and molecular (SSR) characterization using OIVdescriptors. Among nine accessions previously classified as unknown (uKn), it was possible to correctly identify seven.

uKn R was identified as Mollar Cano Rose (VIVC 26543); uKn Mte_Barr corresponds to Montua B (VIVC 2520); uKn Mte- Cor 1 and uKn Mte_Cor_2 are both synonyms of Ahmeur Bou Ahmeur R (VIVC 140); uKn_4 B BrSousa was identified as Síria B (VIVC 2742); uKn_2 BrSousa corresponds to Samarrinho B (VIVC 15684) and uKn (14111) corresponds to Alvadurão B (VIVC 20806).

For two of the uKn accessions— uKn_2 N and uKn_(14213), it was not possible to establish an identification. In the latter case, SSRanalysis was inconclusive; however, leaf morphology showed similarities with varieties from the Couderc family.

Mosc_Banana 1 and Mosc_Banana 2 were found to be homonyms: the 1st correspond to Ferdinand de Lesseps B (VIVC 4088), while the 2nd match with Nuno Gomes B (VIVC nº. 15066). None of these grape varieties had previously been described in Portugal, although Nuno Gomes is a Portuguese name, and this variety is preserved on FRA139 collection, with Portuguese origin. July Pearle B was identified as a synonym of Prezentabil B (VIVC 23192).

Considering biotic and abiotic stress responses, Prezentabil B was classified with a score of 7 for both downy mildew and powderymildew in 2024, and scores of 7 and 9, respectively, in 2025. For uKn (14213), the phenotype was also classified with scores of 7 or higher in both 2024 and 2025. Interestingly, similar results were observed for Síria B (VIVC nº. 2742). In 2024, this variety exhibited ascore of 7 for downy mildew and 5 for powdery mildew, whereas in 2025 it reached a score of 7 for both diseases.

Overall, the results highlight the importance of preserving old grapevine varieties from ancient vineyards in Portuguese Ampelographic Collection (CAN – PRT 051) and of conducting further in-depth studies of these gene pools, with the aim of identifying levels of tolerance or resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and linking specific phenotype-genotype characteristics to the diverse territories of cultivation.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the European Commission in the frame of the Horizon Europe program, project Shield4Grape – HorizonEurope Program (HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01 – Grant 101135088). Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors onlyand do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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