ISHS Acta Horticulturae 689: VII International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology
PORTUGAL AS A CENTER OF VITIS VINIFERA GENES |
| Author: | H.J. Boehm |
| Keywords: | Economic improvement, indigenous Vitis vinifera, genetic variability, selection, certification, molecular and aromatic profiling, resistance breeding |
| Abstract:
The Portuguese grape industry has advanced significantly following the integration of Portugal into the European Union. The selection work on indigenous varieties led to the classification of 341 different cultivars. From this pool, over 2/3 are autochthonous. By natural selection, the Portuguese grapevine gene pool became highly adapted to a hot climate. Significant distinction from other Vitis vinifera cultivars has been found by ampelographic, aromatic and molecular characterisation. Due to a historical lack of grapevine selection in Portugal, full intra-variability still exists in all cultivars. Selection work began in the early 1980s and genetic evaluation for productivity was conducted at different locations for characterization of distinct clones. A polyclonal selection program was followed by full clonal selection and certification. Certification work in Portugal has been established both by governmental services directed mainly at conservation in large scale biodiversity and by private organisations focusing basically on the guarantee of clean stock according to ICVG rules and European legislation. Diagnosis has been based on biologic indexing and ELISA accompanied by PCR techniques with specific markers for Nepo-, Clostero-, Fovea- and Viti-viruses (a total of 17 viruses). Presently, there are more than 120 clones of 27 cultivars admitted to the EU certification-scheme. Initial material was produced from foundation blocks at isolated locations. Multiplication of the individual cultivars has been performed both by public agencies in greenhouses and by the private sector in situ with three consecutive stages subdivided into sanitary families. There exists a certified nursery of all selected cultivars. Molecular work is progressing on distinguishing varieties and cultivars and on the identification of resistance genes in addition to traditional resistance cross-breeding. | |
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