Enhancing competitiveness through independent table grape breeding programs

Abstract

Freeing seedless table grape producers from paying royalties on patents held by international breeding companies is a primary objective of the breeding programs promoted by the IVC (Italian Variety Club) network, an association of 20 grape producers in collaboration with SINAGRI s.r.l., a spin-off of the University of Bari “Aldo Moro” and research center CRSFA “Basile Caramia”. The initiative focuses onbreeding new seedless table grape varieties specifically adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of southern Italy, while alsoensuring resistance to powdery mildew (PM) and downy mildew (DM), the two most destructive diseases affecting grapevines. To date, approximately 30,000 seedlings have been obtained from seedless × seedless crosses and around 10,000 seedlings derived from 120crosses aimed at introducing disease resistance. Selection for seedlessness and disease resistance has been supported by MAS (markerassisted selection). The first evaluation fields have been established over a total area of five hectares. In addition, a potted field trial of progenies has been set up to enable rapid screening for disease resistance. Evaluation has been carried out on both qualitative and quantitative performance and on the degree of resistance to the diseases, with multiple observations according to the different levels of precocity of the plants. Two comparison vineyards have been planted to support the registration of new varieties in the National Catalogue, and primary propagation sources have been established in a screenhouse. Procedures have also been initiated to secure European patent protection for the first five selected genotypes, one of which shows resistance to powdery mildew.