engleski

Phenotypic and molecular identification of wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) in eastern Adriatic karstic region

The eastern Adriatic region which includes Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is considered to be a suitable habitat for survival of wild grapevine Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmel.) Hegi. The earliest description of wild grapevine in this region dates back to 1879. It is well known that cultivated grapevine was domesticated from wild grapevine and genetic similarity between them is very high (including sexual compatibility). Natural hybridization is possible between these two subspecies but also with other Vitis species, so wild populations found in natural habitats is either a mixture of wild forms, naturalized cultivated forms and rootstocks escaped from vineyards or hybrids derived from spontaneous hybridizations. This raises the question of identity of native populations of wild forms, their genetic diversity and the presence of hybrids, what is also the first step towards the protection and possible exploration of wild grapevines in modern viticulture. Just recently we started prospection of wild grapevines in the Adriatic karstic region and detected four native populations of wild grapevine in different hydrographic basins in the coastal Croatia and neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ecological features of discovered sites were described, and individuals were characterized by standard phenotypic OIV descriptors and molecular markers (20 SSR markers). Morphological characteristics of ripen clusters were determined in female individuals. Morphological characteristics specific to wild grapevines such as dioecism (presence of male and female plants) in the population, small round black berries and small clusters in female individuals suggest that the investigated individuals are true sylvestris. STRUCTURE software was used to identify hybrids and to analyze genetic structure of native populations. IDENTITY software was used to identify potential parents for F1 hybrids. According to phenotypic and genetic results several individuals have been detected who do not belong to native populations and can be considered as hybrids or escaped cultivated vines and rootstock. Results improve our knowledge of phenotypic and genetic constitution of wild grapevines on the east Adriatic coast and suggest their necessary conservation.

wild grapevine; Vitis sylvestris; genetic resources; phenotyping; microsatellites

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