The XIVth International Symposium on Grapevine Breeding and Genetics is held in Zagreb (Croatia) from June 28 to July 2, 2026.
The event is organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb in collaboration with Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation Split, Institute of Agriculture and Tourism Poreč, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek.
Clonal selection has been used for centuries to improve major grapevine varieties, yet the molecular mechanisms responsible for phenotypic variation among clones remain poorly understood.
Fruit-quality traits including berry aroma and bunch architecture are major targets for improvement in both the wine and table grape industry.
The oomycete Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Berl. & De Toni, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew, originated in the northeastern United States and was accidentally introduced into Europe in the mid-19th century.
Botrytis cinerea is a major fungal pathogen affecting viticulture, causing substantial economic losses due to reduced fruit quality and subsequent yield.
Grape downy mildew, caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola, is one of the major diseases threatening the viticulture industry.
Over the past decades, lipids and fatty acids have emerged as pivotal regulators of plant–pathogen interactions.
Hemizygous genes, are genes present on only one copy of the genome (only one allele) and should not be confused with homozygous genes.
For one of the major fungal diseases in cool-climate viticulture, Botrytis bunch rot (BBR), management practices as well as plant protection possibilities reach their limits.
In the past breeding programmes for grapevine varieties for cool climate focused on developing early ripening cultivars that are better adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions.
As one of the most important crop plants in the world, securing grapevine yields and production quality is a top priority.