Poster communication – Varieties and rootstocks in response to future challenges

Adapting viticulture to climate change is crucial, as it presents significant challenges for future grape production.

According to the World Economic Forum and the European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the loss of biodiversity and the collapse of ecosystems are major threats facing humanity in the future.

Context and purpose of the study. The breeding of PIWI varieties has a long tradition in the Czech Republic. In the last two years, 9 new PIWI varieties have been registered.

Drought is one of the most challenging threats for viticulture because of its impact on reducing yield and on the composition of grapes.

The important grape variety Welschriesling for Austrian and Southeast European viticulture has been selectively bred over the years for improving some quantitative traits. Collected genotypes as well as the local clones were examined from agricultural, analytical, sensory, and genetic perspectives.

Genomic selection (GS) has emerged as a transformative tool for accelerating breeding programs by predicting the genetic potential of individuals using genome-wide markers.

Field-grown crops such as grapevines, rely on ambient environmental conditions for growth and development.

Context and Purpose of the Study. In many countries, the preservation of grape varieties with heritage value is ensured by genebanks of outstanding significance, which allow for the study of these varieties and the assessment of their future roles in response to environmental, market, and social challenges.

Context and purpose of the study. Climate changes pose the need to develop new grapevine varieties and rootstocks that are more tolerant to stress and diseases.

Climate change increasingly leads to altered growing conditions in viticulture, such as heat stress, drought or high infection pressure favoring pathogen infection.

Context and purpose of the study. Fungus-resistant grape varieties (PIWIs) represent a significant advancement toward more environmentally sustainable viticulture.

Understanding the impact of rootstocks on grapevine water relations is crucial to face climate change maintaining vineyard productivity and sustainability.

Agro-ecological transition and adaptation to climate change are the two major challenges facing modern agriculture.

Growing fungus-tolerant cultivars (PIWIs) reduces the need of fungicide use by 50-80 %. PIWIs have the potential to address climate change adaptation and mitigation simultaneously.

Context and purpose of the study. The primary fungal diseases affecting grapevines in Europe are downy mildew and powdery mildew.