**Meet the editors**

Dr. Danijela Poljuha graduated in molecular biology at the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia, where she also obtained a Master's degree (MSc) and a Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Natural Sciences. During the first years of her professional carrier in grape and olive genetics she installed a brand new Genetic laboratory and introduced molecular techniques at the Institute of

Agriculture and Tourism. She spent two months as a visiting researcher at Centro di ricerca per la viticoltura (CRA-VIT) in Conegliano, Italy, and collaborated on many national and international scientific projects. She now works as Associate Research Scientist at the Istrian Development Agency in Pula, Croatia, where she established a new Biotechnical Department.

Dr. Barbara Sladonja graduated in biology – ecology at the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia, and obtained a Doctoral degree (PhD) in Natural Sciences at the University of Udine and University of Florence, Italy. She organised the international scientific conference "Mediterranean Malvasias" in Poreč, Croatia, in 2005, and the International Scientific Congress

GESCO (Groupe d'Etude des Systemes de Conduite de la Vigne) in Poreč (Croatia) in 2007. She acted as a collaborator or leader on many national and international scientific projects covering the grape and olive field. She works at the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism Poreč.

### Contents

**Preface XI**


Fevereiro and José Eduardo Eiras-Dias


### Preface

Chapter 7 **Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity and Relations Between Grapevine Varieties: Slovenian Germplasm 147**

Chapter 8 **Italian National Database of Monovarietal Extra Virgin**

Chapter 9 **Challenges for Genetic Identification of Olive Oil 201** Sattar Tahmasebi Enferadi and Zohreh Rabiei

Chapter 10 **Adaptation of Local Grapevine Germplasm: Exploitation of Natural Defence Mechanisms to Biotic Stresses 221**

Chapter 11 **Production of Anthocyanins in Grape Cell Cultures: A Potential**

Chapter 12 **From the Olive Flower to the Drupe: Flower Types, Pollination, Self and Inter-Compatibility and Fruit Set 289**

**Source of Raw Material for Pharmaceutical, Food, and Cosmetic**

Anthony Ananga, Vasil Georgiev, Joel Ochieng, Bobby Phills and

Massimo Muganu and Marco Paolocci

Catherine Breton and André Bervillé

Annalisa Rotondi, Massimiliano Magli, Lucia Morrone, Barbara Alfei

Denis Rusjan

**VI** Contents

**Olive Oils 179**

and Giorgio Pannelli

**Section 4 And All Begins with Genetics 219**

**Industries 247**

Violeta Tsolova

**Section 3 From Genotype to Product 177**

Grapes and olives were once a symbol and an exclusive trademark of the Mediterranean. Nowadays these cultures are present on all continents and their cultivation is increasing constantly, becoming an important economical branch. Therefore, the science based on these two cultures involves scientists from all over the globe.

The book "The Mediterranean Genetic Code – Grapevine and Olive" collects relevant papers documenting the results of research in grapevine and olive genetics, as a contribution to overall compendium of the existing biodiversity for both species with insight into molecular mechanisms responsible for their desirable and important traits. Book encompasses a broad and diverse palette of different topics related to grapevine and olive genetics, with no areal or any other strict limitation, keeping the title as a loose frame for borderless science. Divid‐ ed in four sections it takes us for a "molecular walk" through different levels of genetic vari‐ ability, uncovering the remains of still existing wild populations and treasures of neglected local peculiarities, weaving the network from plant to product and back to the beginning, to the hearth of all questions asked and answers hidden in genetics.

The first section gives an overview of genetic markers used in grapevine research, with spe‐ cial emphasis on microsatellite markers and their application in grapevine and olive, accom‐ panied by practical examples. Since wild grapevines are endangered in their natural habitats, conservation priority is given to these populations. This section provides also a de‐ tailed insight in the current status of the remaining wild grape populations around the Med‐ iterranean basin and their relationships with cultivated varieties obtained by molecular genetics approach. Many researches worldwide have tried to clarify origin and phylogenetic relationships of a great number of today known grapevine varieties. Here we present a mo‐ lecular strategy applied in inter- and intra-varietal genetic variability studies with the aim of ascertaining relationships between molecular profiles, environmental parameters and mor‐ phological traits in grapevine.

A special accent is given on the preservation of autochthonous grapevine biotypes and sup‐ porting a targeted propagation of local genetic material, selected for centuries and adapted to locally specific environment. This is elaborated in detail on the examples of national col‐ lections and germplasms preservation in Azerbaijan, Portugal and Slovenia given in the sec‐ ond section.

Third part articulates peculiar connection and traceability between plant genotype and final product – olive oil. The example of efficient strategy of valorization and promotion of local and national olive genetic heritage presented on the case of Italian National Database of Mon‐ ovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils and supplemented with recent advances in application of DNA markers in olive oil authentication and traceability, implies olive biodiversity preserva‐ tion, olive oil quality improvement as well as consumers' education and interest protection.

The last section discusses molecular mechanisms responsible for important traits of both grapevine and olive, comprising natural defense mechanisms and responses to abiotic stress, anthocyanin biosynthesis and finally closing with the description of main phases and steps from blossoming to harvest in olive, from both physiological and genetic point of view.

The book is aimed at researchers interested in molecular methods, growers and producers of olives, olive oil, grapes and wine, agricultural experts, biotechnical students, olive oil and wine educated consumers and marketing operators for agricultural products.

By accepting the challenge of this book adventure we hoped to provide answers to some questions deeply rooted in genetics. We honestly believe we succeeded in this mission.

The book has come to fruition thanks to the efforts and expertise of the contributing authors, as well as of good friends and colleagues. We hope that this shared effort will be the start of more collaboration possibilities in the future, and also an impulse for new questions and answers in some future journey aimed to reveal secrets hidden in molecules.

> **Danijela Poljuha** Research Centre Metris, Istrian Development Agency Croatia

> > **Barbara Sladonja** Institute of Agriculture and Tourism Poreč Croatia

**Molecular Insight into Variability**

DNA markers in olive oil authentication and traceability, implies olive biodiversity preserva‐ tion, olive oil quality improvement as well as consumers' education and interest protection. The last section discusses molecular mechanisms responsible for important traits of both grapevine and olive, comprising natural defense mechanisms and responses to abiotic stress, anthocyanin biosynthesis and finally closing with the description of main phases and steps from blossoming to harvest in olive, from both physiological and genetic point of view.

The book is aimed at researchers interested in molecular methods, growers and producers of olives, olive oil, grapes and wine, agricultural experts, biotechnical students, olive oil and

By accepting the challenge of this book adventure we hoped to provide answers to some questions deeply rooted in genetics. We honestly believe we succeeded in this mission.

The book has come to fruition thanks to the efforts and expertise of the contributing authors, as well as of good friends and colleagues. We hope that this shared effort will be the start of more collaboration possibilities in the future, and also an impulse for new questions and

**Danijela Poljuha**

**Barbara Sladonja**

Croatia

Croatia

Research Centre Metris, Istrian Development Agency

Institute of Agriculture and Tourism Poreč

wine educated consumers and marketing operators for agricultural products.

VIII Preface

answers in some future journey aimed to reveal secrets hidden in molecules.

## **Characterization of Grapevines by the Use of Genetic Markers**

Lidija Tomić, Nataša Štajner and Branka Javornik

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/52833

#### **1. Introduction**

Grapevine (V*itis vinifera* L.), used worldwide for producing wine, table grapes and dried fruits, is an important horticultural species; the total number of grapevine cultivars in ampe‐ lographic collections worldwide is estimated to be 10,000 [1]. Grapevine cultivars have tradi‐ tionally been characterized and identified by standard ampelographic descriptors. In order to establish comparable evaluation of grapevines, a unique system for cultivar description was introduced. In 1873, the International Ampelography Committee was established in Vienna, which prepared the first international standards for the classification of grapevines based on morphological traits. Ampelogrpahy is based on visual observation of certain traits, while ampelometry developed as a method that relies on precise measurement of the phenotypic characteristics of grapevines, mainly based on leaf traits. Today, the ampelo‐ graphic description of cultivars includes 150 descriptors. The Office International de la Vi‐ gne et du Vin (OIV), the Union International pour la Protectione des Obtentions Végétales (UPOV) and the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) agreed to establish a common methodology for the ampelographic description of cultivars, which is used for the characterization and evaluation of cultivars in order to identify them, characterize their traits, to protect authors' rights and for the needs of gene banks. Ampelographic descrip‐ tions enable the identification of cultivars taking into account the development stage of the plants, their health status and environmental conditions [2]. Standard ampelographic meth‐ ods can sometimes result in misunderstandings because the expression of morphological characters depends on the developmental phase of the plant (sample), health status of the sample and environmental conditions. At the same time, the vast number of different estab‐ lished cultivars makes it hard to differentiate them all by morphological characteristics [3]. In parallel, genetic erosion in grapevine germplasm has been observable, due to the world‐

© 2013 Tomić et al.; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Tomić et al.; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

wide predominance of few successful cultivars in all major wine producing regions. There is a significant shift in varietal structure in favour of modern cultivars and thus a decrease or even disappearance of regionally typical or local cultivars. Accurate identification is needed for numerous such cultivars, as well as systematic characterization of identified cultivars in terms of their sustainable use and breeding for future needs and conservation. Modern viti‐ culture must be innovative and of high quality but, at the same time, must also take environ‐ mental protection into consideration. Grape growers and wine producers need to have access to a variety of grape genetic resources, in order to be able to create new varieties and new wine tastes. Growers also need to be able to certify their products, so the accurate names of local, potentially valuable grapevine varieties, and their genetic and geographic origins, need to be available. Biochemical characterization of grapevines was developed as a supplementary method to ampelographic characterization but issues associated with en‐ zyme extraction, the general lack of a discriminating enzyme system and inconsistency in assaying enzymes have hindered the wider application of this method. Characterization of grapevines has today been complemented by the use of molecular markers, providing a dif‐ ferent set of data, which enables more accurate identification and extended characterization. The introduction of molecular markers has allowed more accurate identification, since the results are independent of environmental factors. DNA based markers have enabled a new approach to genetic characterization and to the assessment of diversity within an analyzed set of samples, which is important for evaluation of the range and distribution of genetic variability. In grapevines, diverse marker techniques, such as RFLP or PCR based RAPD, SSR or AFLP and, recently, SNP have been widely used during recent decades. Among them microsatellites, or SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers, have become molecular markers of choice, since they offer some advantages over other molecular markers, includ‐ ing their co-dominant inheritance, hyper-variability and, once they are developed, they are easy to use and the data can be readily compared among laboratories. Microsatellites have also become favoured molecular markers for identifying grapevine cultivars, and their prop‐ erties enable a wide range of applications, since they are ubiquitous, abundant and highly dispersed in genomes, with high variability at most loci. In *Vitis,* a large number of markers have been developed by individual groups and these markers have been very successfully applied for genetic studies. The suitability of *Vitis* SSR markers for assessing genetic origin and diversity in germplasm collections, cultivar identification, parentage analysis and for genetic mapping is well documented.

#### **2. Biochemical methods**

Isoenzyme analysis was an important tool in the characterization of grapevines during the nineties, thus preceding the wide use of molecular marker technologies. Biochemical charac‐ terization of grapevines was developed as a supplementary method to ampelographic char‐ acterization. The biochemical approach includes analysis of isoenzymes, phenolic and aromatic compounds, as well as serological analysis of pollen proteins.

During the nineties, various studies applied isoenzymes in the characterization of grape‐ vines. Bachmann [4] developed simplified and improved isolation of active cytoplasmatic enzymes in grapevines. The polymorphism of peroxidase isoenzyme activity in phloem and dormant canes in 313 cultivars and species in *Vitis* has been evaluated. Single polymorphic isoenzyme peroxidase was sufficient to group cultivars and to discriminate between two samples. Royo *et al.* [5] characterized eight Spanish grapevine varieties and their clones by analysis of the polymorphism of isozyme activities carried out for esterases, peroxidises, cat‐ echol oxidase, glutamate oxalacetate transaminase and acid phosphatase. In the analyses, the zymograms varied in relation to the time of sampling, phenophase and origin of the plant tissues. In this case, it was concluded that two or more repetitions of sampling and iso‐ enzyme analysis are needed for the generation of repetitive zymogram patterns. Isoenzyme analyses were also used to assess differentiation among table grapevine cultivars. A combi‐ nation of four isoenzyme zymograms (peroxidises, catechol oxidase, glutamate oxalacetate transaminase and superoxide dismutase) allowed differentiation of 31 cultivars out of 43. The catechol oxidase system showed the highest level of polymorphism. This methodology was recommended for the differentiation of grapevine cultivars by Sanchez-Escribano *et al*. [6]. Analysis of isoenzymes of catechol-oxidase and acid phosphatase also allowed differen‐ tiation of the additional cultivars Kéknyelű and Picolit, considered to be synonymic [7]. Cul‐ tivars have been reported as synonyms in the Vitis International Variety Catalogue, despite differences in leaf morphology and type of wine produced. Cabernet Sauvignon and Char‐ donnay were used as reference cultivars for isoenzyme analysis, in which the same zymo‐ grams were obtained as with previous studies while Kéknyelű and Picolit differed in both studied enzyme systems.

Isoenzymes have mostly been used in biochemical characterisation for differentiation be‐ tween cultivars but issues related to the success of enzyme extraction, lack of zymogram re‐ peatability between repeated reactions, as well as the lack of a general discriminating enzyme have hindered wider application of this method [2].

#### **3. Molecular methods**

wide predominance of few successful cultivars in all major wine producing regions. There is a significant shift in varietal structure in favour of modern cultivars and thus a decrease or even disappearance of regionally typical or local cultivars. Accurate identification is needed for numerous such cultivars, as well as systematic characterization of identified cultivars in terms of their sustainable use and breeding for future needs and conservation. Modern viti‐ culture must be innovative and of high quality but, at the same time, must also take environ‐ mental protection into consideration. Grape growers and wine producers need to have access to a variety of grape genetic resources, in order to be able to create new varieties and new wine tastes. Growers also need to be able to certify their products, so the accurate names of local, potentially valuable grapevine varieties, and their genetic and geographic origins, need to be available. Biochemical characterization of grapevines was developed as a supplementary method to ampelographic characterization but issues associated with en‐ zyme extraction, the general lack of a discriminating enzyme system and inconsistency in assaying enzymes have hindered the wider application of this method. Characterization of grapevines has today been complemented by the use of molecular markers, providing a dif‐ ferent set of data, which enables more accurate identification and extended characterization. The introduction of molecular markers has allowed more accurate identification, since the results are independent of environmental factors. DNA based markers have enabled a new approach to genetic characterization and to the assessment of diversity within an analyzed set of samples, which is important for evaluation of the range and distribution of genetic variability. In grapevines, diverse marker techniques, such as RFLP or PCR based RAPD, SSR or AFLP and, recently, SNP have been widely used during recent decades. Among them microsatellites, or SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers, have become molecular markers of choice, since they offer some advantages over other molecular markers, includ‐ ing their co-dominant inheritance, hyper-variability and, once they are developed, they are easy to use and the data can be readily compared among laboratories. Microsatellites have also become favoured molecular markers for identifying grapevine cultivars, and their prop‐ erties enable a wide range of applications, since they are ubiquitous, abundant and highly dispersed in genomes, with high variability at most loci. In *Vitis,* a large number of markers have been developed by individual groups and these markers have been very successfully applied for genetic studies. The suitability of *Vitis* SSR markers for assessing genetic origin and diversity in germplasm collections, cultivar identification, parentage analysis and for

Isoenzyme analysis was an important tool in the characterization of grapevines during the nineties, thus preceding the wide use of molecular marker technologies. Biochemical charac‐ terization of grapevines was developed as a supplementary method to ampelographic char‐ acterization. The biochemical approach includes analysis of isoenzymes, phenolic and

aromatic compounds, as well as serological analysis of pollen proteins.

genetic mapping is well documented.

4 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**2. Biochemical methods**

Ampelographic and biochemical methods for genotype characterization have been shown to be dependent on environmental conditions and sample status (developmental stage of plant and health status), resulting in a lack of repeatability and reproducibility in the analyzed set of parameters. In recent decades, classical methodologies have been supplemented by mo‐ lecular techniques using various marker systems for the detection of DNA polymorphism.

#### **4. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)**

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) was the first widely used marker tech‐ nique for molecular characterization of grapevines. Digestion of genomic DNA by restric‐ tion enzymes results in the production of numerous DNA fragments, and RFLP markers are detected by the hybridization of known probes to these fragments. Point mutations, inser‐ tions and deletions that occur within or between restriction sites can result in an altered length of RFLP fragments, revealing polymorphism among the analyzed genotypes. The main advantage of RFLP markers is their co-dominance and high reproducibility but they require a high amount of relatively pure DNA and a high labour input.

RFLP markers in grapevines have been used to differentiate between genotypes and for cul‐ tivar or rootstock identification, as well as for studying polymorphism within an analyzed set of cultivars and for verifying known relationships.

Bourquin *et al*. [8] used RFLP markers for the identification of grapevine rootstocks. Sixteen *Vitis* rootstocks were differentiated by means of RFLP analysis by the combination of the *Hinf*I restriction endonuclease and probes obtained from DNA sequences of cv. Chardon‐ nay. Additionally, 5 clones of SO 4 (*V*. *berlandieri* × *V*. *riparia*) and 3 clones of 41 B Mgt (*V*. *berlandieri* × *V*. *vinifera*) were analysed however no difference within clones of a same hybrid were found, since no polymorphism appeared using different probes. These analyses were a successful continuation of the study by Bourquin et al. [9], in which rootstocks of cultivars were differentiated by RFLP analysis with the restriction enzymes *Alu*-I and *Hinf*-I, using 9 different *Pst*-I inserts from *E*. *coli* recombinant clones derived from cv. Chardonnay as probes. Bourquin et al. [10] analyzed 46 grapevine cultivars by RFLP markers and detected significant polymorphism among all of them. As with rootstocks, RFLP markers could not identify cultivars belonging to the Pinot, Gewuerztraminer and Gamay group of cultivars. Forty six cultivars could be defined as belonging to six taxonomic groups, which were parti‐ ally in accordance with relationships assessed from ampelographic data.

The RFLP technique showed high reproducibility but it is very demanding in terms of la‐ bour. Bourquin et al. [11] therefore reported PCR primers developed from four cloned *Pst*I DNA fragments of the cultivar Chardonnay, which had been shown to be the most informa‐ tive RFLP probes from previous studies. PCR products were then digested by *Dde*I, *Hinf*I and *AIu*I. This method was shown to be suitable for rapid differentiation among the majori‐ ty of commercialized rootstocks (22 rootstocks), either by direct amplification or by RFLP analysis of the amplified products but they were not able to discriminate between clones of the same hybrid (rootstock 3309 C).

Versatile techniques have been developed based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is more sensitive for germplasm characterization in terms of the ability for fast generation of a huge number of markers. PCR based techniques are less laborious than RFLP and require small amounts of DNA. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), microsatellites (SSR, simple sequence repeats) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) have proved to be most useful for grapevine germplasm analysis.

### **5. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)**

tion enzymes results in the production of numerous DNA fragments, and RFLP markers are detected by the hybridization of known probes to these fragments. Point mutations, inser‐ tions and deletions that occur within or between restriction sites can result in an altered length of RFLP fragments, revealing polymorphism among the analyzed genotypes. The main advantage of RFLP markers is their co-dominance and high reproducibility but they

RFLP markers in grapevines have been used to differentiate between genotypes and for cul‐ tivar or rootstock identification, as well as for studying polymorphism within an analyzed

Bourquin *et al*. [8] used RFLP markers for the identification of grapevine rootstocks. Sixteen *Vitis* rootstocks were differentiated by means of RFLP analysis by the combination of the *Hinf*I restriction endonuclease and probes obtained from DNA sequences of cv. Chardon‐ nay. Additionally, 5 clones of SO 4 (*V*. *berlandieri* × *V*. *riparia*) and 3 clones of 41 B Mgt (*V*. *berlandieri* × *V*. *vinifera*) were analysed however no difference within clones of a same hybrid were found, since no polymorphism appeared using different probes. These analyses were a successful continuation of the study by Bourquin et al. [9], in which rootstocks of cultivars were differentiated by RFLP analysis with the restriction enzymes *Alu*-I and *Hinf*-I, using 9 different *Pst*-I inserts from *E*. *coli* recombinant clones derived from cv. Chardonnay as probes. Bourquin et al. [10] analyzed 46 grapevine cultivars by RFLP markers and detected significant polymorphism among all of them. As with rootstocks, RFLP markers could not identify cultivars belonging to the Pinot, Gewuerztraminer and Gamay group of cultivars. Forty six cultivars could be defined as belonging to six taxonomic groups, which were parti‐

The RFLP technique showed high reproducibility but it is very demanding in terms of la‐ bour. Bourquin et al. [11] therefore reported PCR primers developed from four cloned *Pst*I DNA fragments of the cultivar Chardonnay, which had been shown to be the most informa‐ tive RFLP probes from previous studies. PCR products were then digested by *Dde*I, *Hinf*I and *AIu*I. This method was shown to be suitable for rapid differentiation among the majori‐ ty of commercialized rootstocks (22 rootstocks), either by direct amplification or by RFLP analysis of the amplified products but they were not able to discriminate between clones of

Versatile techniques have been developed based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is more sensitive for germplasm characterization in terms of the ability for fast generation of a huge number of markers. PCR based techniques are less laborious than RFLP and require small amounts of DNA. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), microsatellites (SSR, simple sequence repeats) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP)

require a high amount of relatively pure DNA and a high labour input.

ally in accordance with relationships assessed from ampelographic data.

have proved to be most useful for grapevine germplasm analysis.

the same hybrid (rootstock 3309 C).

set of cultivars and for verifying known relationships.

6 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The RAPD technique is based on a PCR reaction and the use of short primers of an arbitrary nucleotide sequence, which results in amplification of an anonymous fragment (RAPD markers) of genomic DNA. The most important advantages of the RAPD technique are its technical simplicity and the fact that there is no need for advance knowledge of the DNA sequence. RAPD reproducibility among different laboratories and the requirement for strict experimental conditions are hard to achieve, which are the main disadvantages of this tech‐ nique [12]. This technically least demanding method (RAPD) became popular during the nineties and due to its ease of application, it is also used nowadays.

Collins and Symons [13] used a sensitive and reproducible RAPD technique to establish a unique fingerprint of grapevine cultivars and for assessing polymorphism within the culti‐ vars analyzed. They demonstrated that distinguishing between cultivars is already possible using single primer or by a mixture of two primers. Jean-Jaques et al. [14] confirmed this possibility by using RAPD markers in identity analysis of eight cultivars. Among 50 RAPD primers that were used in the analysis, reliable identification of analyzed cultivar was found by comparison between the RAPD patterns obtained by at least two primers (OPA 01 and OPA 18). Grando et al. [15] used 44 RAPD primers in order to assess the genetic diversity existing between wild and cultivated grapevines. The amplification patterns of the primers used did not differentiate between cultivated and wild grapevines but this RAPD approach enabled the analysis of genetic relationships within *V*. *vinifera* L. species.

Stavrakakis et al. [16] analyzed 8 grapevine cultivars grown on the island of Crete with the use of 15 RAPD decamer primers. Each grape cultivar showed a unique banding pattern for 5 or more primers used. Genetic similarity was calculated and a dendrogram of the 8 culti‐ vars was constructed. The obtained results demonstrated that RAPD is a reliable method for the identification, discrimination and genomic analysis of grapevine cultivars. RAPD analy‐ sis of genetic diversity has been performed for cultivars from the Carpathian Basin [17], Turkish grape cultivars [18], Indian cultivars [19], and many others.

RAPD markers have also been shown to be very efficient in distinguishing between grape‐ vine rootstocks. This et al. [20] demonstrated a high level of polymorphism among 30 grape‐ vine rootstock cultivars by the use of 21 decamer primers. Using three primers (OPA09, OPA20 and OPP17), it was possible to identify each of the analyzed rootstock.

RAPD marker analysis has been shown to be advantageous since it is cheaper and easier to perform than RFLP analysis or isoenzyme characterization.

RAPD markers have been successfully applied in genetic mapping. Lodhi et al. [21] con‐ structed one of the first genetic linkage maps using population derived from a cross be‐ tween Cayuga White and Aurore. The map was based on 422 RAPD markers and also included some RFLP and isozyme markers. The seedlessness of grapevines, defined through various traits (mean fresh weight of one seed, total fresh weight of seeds per berry, percep‐ tion of seed content, seed size categories evaluated visually, degree of hardness of the seed coat, degree of development of the endosperm and degree of development of the embryo) were assessed in 82 offsprings from of a cross between Early Muscat and Flame Seedless [22]. One hundred and sixty RAPD decamer primers were used, among which 12 molecular markers were identified that correlated with the seven traits of seedlessness. Identified markers can be used in a marker assisted selection to exclude seeded offsprings at an early stage breeding process. Luo et al. [23] used 280 RAPD primers to construct linkage map and found marker tightly linked to a major gene for resistance to downy mildew (*Plasmopara viti‐ cola)* (*RPv*-1). Similarly, Merdinoglu et al. [24] used 151 RAPD primers for linkage analysis related to downy mildew resistance.

#### **6. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)**

The AFLP technique is the selective amplification of DNA fragments generated by restric‐ tion enzyme digestion. The AFLP approach enables simultaneous analysis of a large num‐ ber of loci in a single assay, providing stable and reproducible marker patterns. AFLP, just as RAPD, are dominant markers, so are not suitable for parentage analysis. In grapevine germ‐ plasm analysis, the AFLP technique has mainly been used to assess genetic similarities among different varieties and to study genetic relationships among grapevines. Fanizza et al. [25] studied genetic relationships among aromatic grapevines varieties by the use of AFLP mark‐ ers. The result of cluster analysis showed a separation between Moscato and Malvasia variet‐ ies but no grouping of *V. vinifera* varieties into aromatic and non-aromatic grapevines could be made, as had been done by some ampelographers in the past. AFLP markers were used for the characterization of a collection of 35 table grapevine varieties [26]. They detected that genetic similarity among them varied between 0.65 and 0.90, while sibling varieties derived from the same cross showed a genetic similarity over 0.80. AFLP analysis enabled distinc‐ tion of all 35 analyzed cultivars and can be a powerful technique in identifying variety specif‐ ic polymorphic fragments for distinguishing table grapevine cultivars.

AFLP markers have also been applied for assessing intra-varietal variability and for differ‐ entiation between clones of the same variety. The variety Flame Seedless, characterized by earlier bud burst, was differentiated from its parental genotype by analysis of 64 AFLP pri‐ mer combinations. Two markers were identified, which were unique either only to the mu‐ tant or only to the parental line [27]. Cervera et al. [28] analyzed the intra-varietal diversity of 31 accessions called Tempranillo or described as a synonym of this Spanish cultivar. Two AFLP primer combinations generated 95 markers, indicating that the cultivar Tempranillo consists of various clones, with a genetic similarity over 0.97. Tomić [29] analyzed 56 sam‐ ples from 5 locations of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian cultivar Žilavka by AFLP markers in order to assess intra-cultivar heterogeneity in the Herzegovina region. No clustering of Ži‐ lavka samples in relation to the location or names of the samples was detected. AFLP results showed high intra-varietal variability of cultivar Žilavka, expressing average polymorphism above 50.

AFLP have been used together with microsatellite markers in various studies in order to an‐ alyze genetic diversity within a single cultivar [30,31]; to evaluate genetic relatedness [32,33] or to identify and characterize grapevine rootstocks [34].

AFLP markers have also been used a great deal for the construction of genetic linkage [35-40], primarily aimed at mapping markers closely linked to important grapevine traits. For example, resistance to powdery mildew is controlled by single locus *Run* derived from *M*. *rotundifolia.* Pauquet et al. [41] identified 13 AFLP markers linked to *Run*1 and construct‐ ed a local map around the gene. Three markers out of 13 were shown to be always present in all resistant genotypes (absent in susceptible), which makes them a good diagnostic tool for selection for resistance.

#### **7. Short sequence repeats (SSRs) – microsatellites**

were assessed in 82 offsprings from of a cross between Early Muscat and Flame Seedless [22]. One hundred and sixty RAPD decamer primers were used, among which 12 molecular markers were identified that correlated with the seven traits of seedlessness. Identified markers can be used in a marker assisted selection to exclude seeded offsprings at an early stage breeding process. Luo et al. [23] used 280 RAPD primers to construct linkage map and found marker tightly linked to a major gene for resistance to downy mildew (*Plasmopara viti‐ cola)* (*RPv*-1). Similarly, Merdinoglu et al. [24] used 151 RAPD primers for linkage analysis

The AFLP technique is the selective amplification of DNA fragments generated by restric‐ tion enzyme digestion. The AFLP approach enables simultaneous analysis of a large num‐ ber of loci in a single assay, providing stable and reproducible marker patterns. AFLP, just as RAPD, are dominant markers, so are not suitable for parentage analysis. In grapevine germ‐ plasm analysis, the AFLP technique has mainly been used to assess genetic similarities among different varieties and to study genetic relationships among grapevines. Fanizza et al. [25] studied genetic relationships among aromatic grapevines varieties by the use of AFLP mark‐ ers. The result of cluster analysis showed a separation between Moscato and Malvasia variet‐ ies but no grouping of *V. vinifera* varieties into aromatic and non-aromatic grapevines could be made, as had been done by some ampelographers in the past. AFLP markers were used for the characterization of a collection of 35 table grapevine varieties [26]. They detected that genetic similarity among them varied between 0.65 and 0.90, while sibling varieties derived from the same cross showed a genetic similarity over 0.80. AFLP analysis enabled distinc‐ tion of all 35 analyzed cultivars and can be a powerful technique in identifying variety specif‐

AFLP markers have also been applied for assessing intra-varietal variability and for differ‐ entiation between clones of the same variety. The variety Flame Seedless, characterized by earlier bud burst, was differentiated from its parental genotype by analysis of 64 AFLP pri‐ mer combinations. Two markers were identified, which were unique either only to the mu‐ tant or only to the parental line [27]. Cervera et al. [28] analyzed the intra-varietal diversity of 31 accessions called Tempranillo or described as a synonym of this Spanish cultivar. Two AFLP primer combinations generated 95 markers, indicating that the cultivar Tempranillo consists of various clones, with a genetic similarity over 0.97. Tomić [29] analyzed 56 sam‐ ples from 5 locations of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian cultivar Žilavka by AFLP markers in order to assess intra-cultivar heterogeneity in the Herzegovina region. No clustering of Ži‐ lavka samples in relation to the location or names of the samples was detected. AFLP results showed high intra-varietal variability of cultivar Žilavka, expressing average polymorphism

AFLP have been used together with microsatellite markers in various studies in order to an‐ alyze genetic diversity within a single cultivar [30,31]; to evaluate genetic relatedness [32,33]

related to downy mildew resistance.

8 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

above 50.

**6. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)**

ic polymorphic fragments for distinguishing table grapevine cultivars.

or to identify and characterize grapevine rootstocks [34].

Microsatellites have become widely used genetic markers for the characterization of grape‐ vine germplasm. Microsatellites are short (1-5 bp), tandemly repeated DNA sequences that are ubiquitous, abundant and highly dispersed in genomes. The variability of length of mi‐ crosatellites is caused by changes in the number of repeats units, which can be easily detect‐ ed by PCR, thus providing highly informative markers. The advantage of microsatellite markers is their co-dominant inheritance, as well as high polymorphism in terms of size due to the variable number of tandem repeats. Reproducibility and standardization of the SSR technique is easy to achieve but this marker system requires prior knowledge of primer binding, which increases the cost inputs for markers development. SSR markers are used for the identification of cultivars, revealing synonyms and homonyms, pedigree reconstruction and genetic relatedness, as well as population genetic studies, genome mapping and for marker assisted selection [3,12].

Large microsatellite sets of data in grapevines have been generated by numerous studies worldwide. Many of them are available in published papers and various on-line databases. The public availability of microsatellite genetic profiles of genotyped grapevine cultivars en‐ ables comparison of the obtained data, thus allowing even wider characterisation by confir‐ mation of trueness-to-typeness and elimination of duplicates.

*Vitis* microsatellites markers have been developed within various laboratories [42-49]. Mi‐ crosatellite primer sequences from these studies are available in the literature. Thomas and Scott [42] identified 26 grapevine cultivars, 6 *Vitis* species and *Muscadinia rotundifolia* L. by means of microsatellites. They established five microsatellite loci (VVS1, VVS2, VVS3, VVS4 and VVS5) from the genomic library of *V*. *vinifera* L. cultivar Sultana, of which VVS2 and VVS5 were shown to be the most polymorphic ones. Thomas et al. [43] and Cipriani et al. [2] used the same microsatellites for accurate and reliable identification of 80 and 16 grapevine cultivars, respectively. Bowers et al. [44] developed four new microsatellite loci (VVMD5, VVMD6, VVMD7 and VVMD8) from the genomic library of *V*. *vinifera* L. cultivar Pinot Noir. Seventy-seven cultivars of *V*. *vinifera* L. were analyzed and all four loci showed high poly‐ morphism, with PIC values over 75%. Bowers et al. [45] developed an additional 22 VVMD loci for CT repeat motifs, initially cloned from the genomic library of Pinot Noir and Caber‐ net Sauvignon. They analyzed 51 to 347 cultivars, respectively, and twelve markers out of 22 proved to be polymorphic (VVMD6, VVMD8, VVMD17, VVMD21, VVMD24, VVMD25, VVMD26, VVMD27, VVMD28, VVMD31, VVMD32 and VVMD36). An Austrian research group developed 15 markers from *Vitis riparia* [46, 50]. Two out of 15 loci did not amplify in *V. vinifera*, while the remaining 13 (ssrVrZAG7, ssrVrZAG15, ssrVrZAG21, ssrVrZAG25, ssrVrZAG29, ssrVrZAG30, ssrVrZAG47, ssrVrZAG62, ssrVrZAG64, ssrVrZAG67, ssrVrZAG79, ssrVrZAG83 and ssrVrZAG112) were successively analyzed in 120 cultivars. Four to fifteen alleles per locus were detected and expected heterozygosity ranged between 0.37 and 0.88. The highest information content was provided by locus ssrVrZAG79 (PI 0.05) because of the even distribution of the frequencies of the 13 alleles found. The remaining most informative markers were ssrVrZAG47, ssrVrZAG62, ssrVrZAG64 and ssrVrZAG67. Microsatellite loci from previous research with the highest values of polymorphic content are mainly used in microsatellite studies of grapevines. Loci VVS2 [42], VVMD5 and VVMD7 [44], VVMD27 [45], ssrVrZAG62 and ssrVrZAG79 [46] were chosen as a standard set of alleles for cultivar identification and distinction among cultivars [51], while loci VVMD25, VVMD28 and VVMD32 [45] have recently been used as additional microsatellite DNA markers for grapevines. Once microsatellite markers have been developed, they can be used for the analysis of different genotypes within a species and transferred between two different species within the same genus. Lefort et al. [52] designed primers for seven micro‐ satellite loci (ssrVvUCH2, ssrVvUCH11, ssrVvUCH12, ssrVvUCH19, ssrVvUCH29, ssrVvUCH35 and ssrVvUCH40) from a microsatellite enriched genomic DNA library from the grapevine cultivar Syrah. These loci proved to be highly polymorphic for genotyping analysis of various *Vitis* species and hybrids used as rootstocks. These seven markers dis‐ play high heterozygosity, all of them having a high number of amplified alleles, which makes them useful for genotype identification. Goto-Yamamoto et al.[49] also used cv. Syr‐ ah for development of new microsatellite markers. They developed 9 microsatellite primer pairs which have been successfully used for analysis of oriental and occidental cultivars, as well as for characterization of non-vinifera species (*V. labrusca*, *V. riparia* and *V. rotundifolia*).

Microsatellite studies of grapevines have many practical implications. The generation of unique cultivar profiles and assessment of true identity enables the genetic fidelity of plant‐ ing material to be tested and offer solution to errors occurring through a long period of veg‐ etative propagation. Identification and characterization of genetic material helps the selection of parents in breeding programmes and the sustainable management of germ‐ plasm collections. Microsatellite data obtained for a single genotype provide the microsatel‐ lite profile of that cultivar [3]. Since microsatellites have been shown to be a reliable tool for genotype identification, many research groups have adopted the technology and sets of mi‐ crosatellite profiles have been increasing rapidly. This has enabled comparison of newly studied cultivars with those already genotyped. Comparison of genotypes of cultivars has revealed unique profiles of cultivars, as well as many cases of synonyms and homonyms. Microsatellites have been used for the identification of Portuguese cultivars [53], Greek culti‐ vars [54], Spanish autochthonous grapevine varieties [55], Albanian [56] and Turkish variet‐ ies [57], old Slovenian varieties [58, 59]; Macedonian autochthonous varieties [60]; Algerian grapevine cultivars [61], Bulgarian cultivars [62], Romanian cultivars [63] and Bosnia and Herzegovina cultivars [64]. Microsatellites have proved to be reliable tools for identification and differentiation of grapevine rootstock [34, 50, 65].

In terms of the identification of grapevine cultivars, the question has been raised of the mini‐ mum sufficient number of loci required for accurate analysis of identity. In theory, five un‐ linked markers, each with five equally frequent alleles, could produce over 700,000 different genotypes [44]. In practice, this is not always easy to achieve and so the markers that are most informative should be selected for reliable discrimination [3]. Calculation of different genetic parameters has been used for assessing the informativeness of specific microsatellite loci. Counting alleles can overestimate the value of a given microsatellite locus due to the unequal distribution of alleles. Calculations that are based on allele frequencies are a more reliable measure of the informativeness of a locus. Two measures that are based on allele fre‐ quencies and genotype frequencies are probability of identity (probability of identical geno‐ types) (PI) and discrimination power (D) [3]. They describe the probability that two unrelated cultivars can be differentiated by a particular marker.

VVMD26, VVMD27, VVMD28, VVMD31, VVMD32 and VVMD36). An Austrian research group developed 15 markers from *Vitis riparia* [46, 50]. Two out of 15 loci did not amplify in *V. vinifera*, while the remaining 13 (ssrVrZAG7, ssrVrZAG15, ssrVrZAG21, ssrVrZAG25, ssrVrZAG29, ssrVrZAG30, ssrVrZAG47, ssrVrZAG62, ssrVrZAG64, ssrVrZAG67, ssrVrZAG79, ssrVrZAG83 and ssrVrZAG112) were successively analyzed in 120 cultivars. Four to fifteen alleles per locus were detected and expected heterozygosity ranged between 0.37 and 0.88. The highest information content was provided by locus ssrVrZAG79 (PI 0.05) because of the even distribution of the frequencies of the 13 alleles found. The remaining most informative markers were ssrVrZAG47, ssrVrZAG62, ssrVrZAG64 and ssrVrZAG67. Microsatellite loci from previous research with the highest values of polymorphic content are mainly used in microsatellite studies of grapevines. Loci VVS2 [42], VVMD5 and VVMD7 [44], VVMD27 [45], ssrVrZAG62 and ssrVrZAG79 [46] were chosen as a standard set of alleles for cultivar identification and distinction among cultivars [51], while loci VVMD25, VVMD28 and VVMD32 [45] have recently been used as additional microsatellite DNA markers for grapevines. Once microsatellite markers have been developed, they can be used for the analysis of different genotypes within a species and transferred between two different species within the same genus. Lefort et al. [52] designed primers for seven micro‐ satellite loci (ssrVvUCH2, ssrVvUCH11, ssrVvUCH12, ssrVvUCH19, ssrVvUCH29, ssrVvUCH35 and ssrVvUCH40) from a microsatellite enriched genomic DNA library from the grapevine cultivar Syrah. These loci proved to be highly polymorphic for genotyping analysis of various *Vitis* species and hybrids used as rootstocks. These seven markers dis‐ play high heterozygosity, all of them having a high number of amplified alleles, which makes them useful for genotype identification. Goto-Yamamoto et al.[49] also used cv. Syr‐ ah for development of new microsatellite markers. They developed 9 microsatellite primer pairs which have been successfully used for analysis of oriental and occidental cultivars, as well as for characterization of non-vinifera species (*V. labrusca*, *V. riparia* and *V. rotundifolia*).

10 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Microsatellite studies of grapevines have many practical implications. The generation of unique cultivar profiles and assessment of true identity enables the genetic fidelity of plant‐ ing material to be tested and offer solution to errors occurring through a long period of veg‐ etative propagation. Identification and characterization of genetic material helps the selection of parents in breeding programmes and the sustainable management of germ‐ plasm collections. Microsatellite data obtained for a single genotype provide the microsatel‐ lite profile of that cultivar [3]. Since microsatellites have been shown to be a reliable tool for genotype identification, many research groups have adopted the technology and sets of mi‐ crosatellite profiles have been increasing rapidly. This has enabled comparison of newly studied cultivars with those already genotyped. Comparison of genotypes of cultivars has revealed unique profiles of cultivars, as well as many cases of synonyms and homonyms. Microsatellites have been used for the identification of Portuguese cultivars [53], Greek culti‐ vars [54], Spanish autochthonous grapevine varieties [55], Albanian [56] and Turkish variet‐ ies [57], old Slovenian varieties [58, 59]; Macedonian autochthonous varieties [60]; Algerian grapevine cultivars [61], Bulgarian cultivars [62], Romanian cultivars [63] and Bosnia and Herzegovina cultivars [64]. Microsatellites have proved to be reliable tools for identification

and differentiation of grapevine rootstock [34, 50, 65].

Discovering parentage and kinship analysis in grapevines is important for revealing the ori‐ gin of particular cultivars. Selection of grapevines started almost seven centuries ago but re‐ construction of the events that have led to the creation of specific cultivars is difficult. Many ancestors that could have provided evidence of the origin of grapevine cultivars have proba‐ bly already become extinct [66]. Microsatellites have proved to be a reliable tool for parent‐ age analysis, allowing the reconstruction of crosses. The origins of the widespread and best known grapevine cultivars from northeastern France were discovered by microsatellite anal‐ ysis of 300 cultivars by 32 markers showing that Chardonnay, Gamay noir, Aligoté and Mel‐ on are the progeny of a single pair of parents, Pinot and Gouais blanc, dating from the Middle Ages [45]. Using 25 polymorphic microsatellite markers, Piljac et al. [67] analyzed possible parent progeny relationships within fourteen Croatian cultivars. Crespan [68] con‐ firmed that the cultivar Muscat of Hamburg, which is a fine black table grape variety with a muscat flavour, is the progeny of Schiava Grossa × Muscat of Alexandria, which had been previously assumed in the literature. In this case, parentage was determined by analysis of chloroplast microsatellite loci. Since cytoplasm is inherited from the maternal side, it is pos‐ sible to deduce the female parent. Microsatellites have been used to determine parent-off‐ spring relationships among many grapevine cultivars. The cultivar Vitouska, which is grown in north-eastern Italy and western Slovenia, was shown to be the progeny of Prosec‐ co and Malvasia Bianca Lunga, with one allele derived from each parent at 37 microsatellite loci [69]. The Italian important cultivar Sangiovese was shown to be the progeny of Ciliegio‐ lo and Calabrese di Montenuovo confirmed by the high likelihood value [70]. Cardinal is one of the most successful table grapes and, after many decades, has remained the most used table grapevine variety grown worldwide, accounting for 20% of total production. This cultivar is a Californian grapevine created by E. Snyder and F. Harmon in 1939 and should have be derived from the cross between Flame Tokay and Alphonse Lavaleé, however mi‐ crosatellite analyses did not confirm Flame Tokay as a maternal parent [71]. Cipriani et al. [72] analyzed a set of grapevines consisting of 1005 international, Italian national and local varieties. Altogether, 211 putative trios (2 parents and their offspring) were determined, of which 94 were designated with high confidence (95%), 19 with relaxed confidence (80%) and the remainder with an assigned confidence level. The assigned confidence level was due to an inability to select one parent of the pair, amongst a number of candidates with equal probability. Finally, 74 complete pedigrees were found, some of which were already known and some newly revealed. Recently, a total of 138 grapevine cultivars collected in five coun‐ tries from the Balkan Peninsula were analyzed using 22 microsatellite loci. Kinship analysis resulted in various trios. Some were false trios because the apparent parent-offspring rela‐ tionship was a result of near synonyms (clones or siblings). In the set of 138 samples, one unknown parentage [Furmint (Knipperlé, Ortlieber) = Pinot Noir × Rebula Stara] was re‐ vealed and one pedigree related to Serbian cultivars already reported in the literature (Župl‐ janka = Pinot Noir × Prokupac) was confirmed. The microsatellite analysis also gave the first evidence of the origin of cv. Žilavka, most widespread autochthonous cultivar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the pedigree of Serbian cultivar Petra was found to be false as the origin of cv. Godominka [73].

Microsatellites can be also used for determining the parentage of grapevine rootstock. For example, microsatellite analysis confirmed that the rootstock Fercal, which is important due to its high tolerance to limestone chlorosis, is the progeny of B.C.n°1B and 31 Richter [74]. Pedigree analysis should usually be confirmed by ampelographic observations, since misnam‐ ing and mislabeling of samples cannot be entirely excluded. Successful reconstruction of many pedigrees depends on the availability of ancient cultivars and pedigree data of cultivars.

The first genetic map based on microsatellite markers was developed by Riaz et al. [75]. The mapping population was represented by 153 progeny plants from a cross of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon and 152 microsatellite markers were mapped to the 20 linkage groups (LG), with an average distance between markers of 11.0 cM. Adam Blondon et al. [76] devel‐ oped a second microsatellite reference map, consisting of 245 SSR markers, which was de‐ rived from the progeny of Syrah and Grenache. This map was more saturated, with 6.5 new markers per linkage group. These reference microsatellite genetic linkage maps have been further used for the fine mapping and QTL analysis.

Resistance locus *Run*1 was located by the microsatellite marker VMC4f3.1 [77], placed with‐ in LG12. A single dominant allele, designated *Ren*1, represents another source of resistance to powdery mildew (resistance to *Erysiphe necator* 1). Hofmann et al. [78] deduced that the closest markers to the *Ren*1 locus were microsatellite loci VMC9H4-2, VMCNG4E10-1 and UDV-020, assigned to LG13. Downy mildew resistance is inferred by the unique major gene *Rpv*1 and was found to be closely linked to *Run*1. Microsatellite loci that were mapped on the same linkage group have been shown to have a high correlation with the *Rpv*1 [24]. In relation to the presence of different flower types in grapevines (female, hermaphroditic and male), a cross between male and hermaphroditic plants was performed. The segregating ra‐ tio was 1:1 of these two types, assuming a single-locus hypothesis. The microsatellite locus VVS3 was shown to be close to the sex locus, which was mapped on LG2 [35]. Fernandez et al. [79] discovered the microsatellite locus linked to the fleshless berry mutation (*flb* locus) on LG18 (VMC2A3), while a seed development inhibitor, the *Sdl* locus, related to seedless‐ ness, was also mapped on LG18, close to microsatellite VMC7F2 [39, 40]. Microsatellite maps have also been used for QTL mapping as for example, microsatellite markers VVS2 and VMC6G1 showed tight linkage to the magnesium deficiency QTL [80].

#### **8. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)**

probability. Finally, 74 complete pedigrees were found, some of which were already known and some newly revealed. Recently, a total of 138 grapevine cultivars collected in five coun‐ tries from the Balkan Peninsula were analyzed using 22 microsatellite loci. Kinship analysis resulted in various trios. Some were false trios because the apparent parent-offspring rela‐ tionship was a result of near synonyms (clones or siblings). In the set of 138 samples, one unknown parentage [Furmint (Knipperlé, Ortlieber) = Pinot Noir × Rebula Stara] was re‐ vealed and one pedigree related to Serbian cultivars already reported in the literature (Župl‐ janka = Pinot Noir × Prokupac) was confirmed. The microsatellite analysis also gave the first evidence of the origin of cv. Žilavka, most widespread autochthonous cultivar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the pedigree of Serbian cultivar Petra was found to be false as the

Microsatellites can be also used for determining the parentage of grapevine rootstock. For example, microsatellite analysis confirmed that the rootstock Fercal, which is important due to its high tolerance to limestone chlorosis, is the progeny of B.C.n°1B and 31 Richter [74]. Pedigree analysis should usually be confirmed by ampelographic observations, since misnam‐ ing and mislabeling of samples cannot be entirely excluded. Successful reconstruction of many pedigrees depends on the availability of ancient cultivars and pedigree data of cultivars.

The first genetic map based on microsatellite markers was developed by Riaz et al. [75]. The mapping population was represented by 153 progeny plants from a cross of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon and 152 microsatellite markers were mapped to the 20 linkage groups (LG), with an average distance between markers of 11.0 cM. Adam Blondon et al. [76] devel‐ oped a second microsatellite reference map, consisting of 245 SSR markers, which was de‐ rived from the progeny of Syrah and Grenache. This map was more saturated, with 6.5 new markers per linkage group. These reference microsatellite genetic linkage maps have been

Resistance locus *Run*1 was located by the microsatellite marker VMC4f3.1 [77], placed with‐ in LG12. A single dominant allele, designated *Ren*1, represents another source of resistance to powdery mildew (resistance to *Erysiphe necator* 1). Hofmann et al. [78] deduced that the closest markers to the *Ren*1 locus were microsatellite loci VMC9H4-2, VMCNG4E10-1 and UDV-020, assigned to LG13. Downy mildew resistance is inferred by the unique major gene *Rpv*1 and was found to be closely linked to *Run*1. Microsatellite loci that were mapped on the same linkage group have been shown to have a high correlation with the *Rpv*1 [24]. In relation to the presence of different flower types in grapevines (female, hermaphroditic and male), a cross between male and hermaphroditic plants was performed. The segregating ra‐ tio was 1:1 of these two types, assuming a single-locus hypothesis. The microsatellite locus VVS3 was shown to be close to the sex locus, which was mapped on LG2 [35]. Fernandez et al. [79] discovered the microsatellite locus linked to the fleshless berry mutation (*flb* locus) on LG18 (VMC2A3), while a seed development inhibitor, the *Sdl* locus, related to seedless‐ ness, was also mapped on LG18, close to microsatellite VMC7F2 [39, 40]. Microsatellite maps have also been used for QTL mapping as for example, microsatellite markers VVS2 and

origin of cv. Godominka [73].

12 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

further used for the fine mapping and QTL analysis.

VMC6G1 showed tight linkage to the magnesium deficiency QTL [80].

Advanced sequencing technologies have made available ever more sequence data, which can be used for marker development, particularly single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). SNPs are sites in genomes where mutations naturally occur as a single nucleotide exchange (base substitutions), as a consequence of either transition or transversion events [12]. One lo‐ cus of an SNP can comprise two, three or four alleles [12] but SNPs are rather biallelic mark‐ ers, representing two alleles that may differ in a given nucleotide position in a diploid genome. SNPs are highly abundant, their density depends on the genome region and they differ among organisms. They are usually categorized according to their position in the ge‐ nome and their effect on coding or regulatory sequences. Exonic SNPs that do not cause a change in the amino acid composition in the coded protein are synonymous SNPs, while SNPs causing a change in amino acid are non-synonymous SNPs. Non-synonymous SNPs that affect the protein function, thus influencing the phenotype, are called diagnostic SNPs. Diagnostic SNPs may be linked to specific important traits and their detection is one of the most important aims of discovering and developing SNPs.

A number of methods for SNP discovery and genotyping are available, although not all of them are equally useful nor it is clear which is the most suitable and most efficient [81]. The discovery of SNPs can usually be done by either a database search or an experimental ap‐ proach. Most SNPs are extracted from expressed sequence tag (EST) databases [12]. In the experimental approach, candidate genes or genome regions are screened for the presence of SNPs by a series of techniques, such as microchip hybridization, direct sequencing or elec‐ trophoresis of PCR fragments containing candidate sequences on DNA single strand confor‐ mation polymorphism (SSCP) or denaturing gradient (DGGE) gels [12, 81]. SNP genotyping techniques can be classified into various groups: direct sequencing, cleaved amplified poly‐ morphic sequences (CAPS), allele-specific PCR, allele specific primer extension, allele specif‐ ic oligonucleotide hybridization etc. [12].

In *Vitis*, the identification and detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms for the develop‐ ment of molecular marker systems have recently dramatically increased with the publica‐ tion of whole genome sequences [82, 83]. Previously, Salmaso et al. [84] scanned grapevine genes (sugar metabolism, cell signalling, anthocyanin and defence related pathways) to ex‐ plore the possibility of developing an SNP marker system. Seven *V*. *vinifera* L. cultivars, the American species *V*. *riparia* L. and one complex hybrid were analysed for the distribution of SNPs along the gene fragments in order to assess the frequency and type of SNPs, nucleo‐ tide diversity, haplotypes and polymorphic information content using SSCP on none-denatur‐ ing gel electrophoresis and DNA re-sequencing of PCR amplicons. They discovered 247 SNPs among analysed genotypes which present useful markers for genetic analysis in grapevine.

Troggio et al. [81] also successfully used SSCP methodology and mini-sequencing for the de‐ velopment of SNP markers in grapevines, showing this to be an affordable mid-throughput methodology, which could be used for medium sized marker assisted selection projects.

Dong et al. [85] developed 21 primer pairs from grapevine EST sequences, generating 144 sequences by PCR amplification which revealed 154 SNPs. A phylogenetic tree was con‐ structed from these data, which discriminated well among the analyzed 16 cultivars (11 Eurasian and 5 Euramerica cultivars), proving SNPs to be effective for grapevine geno‐ type identification.

Lijavetzky et al. [86] employed high throughput SNP discovery approach for analysing 230 gene fragments of eleven genotypes. The approach enabled the discovery of 1573 SNPs of which 96 were submitted to high throughput genotyping technology for marker develop‐ ment. 80 SNPs were successfully genotyped in 360 grapevine genotypes, with a success rate of 93.5% within a sample.

At the start of large-scale development of SNP markers, low and mid throughput methods were available for SNP detection and identification of grapevines. Pindo et al. [87] provided a high throughput SNP genotyping method (SNPlex genotyping system), which correlated with the completion of the sequencing of the heterozygous genome of Pinot Noir [83]. About 950 candidates SNP from non-repetitive contigs of the assembled genome of Pinot Noir, were tested on 90 progeny of a Syrah × Pinot Noir cross. They obtained 563 new eSNPs and mapped them according to their quality values. This methodology was shown to be accurate and reproducible, and the high level of throughput enabled analysis of several hundred SNP in a hundred samples at the same time. Myles et al. [88] identified 469,470 SNPs from reduced representation libraries from 17 grapevine samples (10 *V*. *vinifera* L. cultivars and 7 wild species), which were sequenced using sequencing-by-synthesis technology. A subset consisting of 8898 SNPs were validated which are referred to as a Vitis9KSNP genotyping array. This 9K array demonstrated the power to distinguish between *V*. *vinifera* L. cultivars, hybrids and wild species, resolving the genetic relationships among diverse cultivars.

Cultivar identification is one of the many applications of the various marker systems. In re‐ lation to the greatly used microsatellites, it has been proved that six SSR loci are enough for genetic identification of most cultivars, with a cumulative probability of identity of 4.3 × 10-9 [51]. Lijavetzky et al. [86] found that SNP markers generated a lower PIC than microsatel‐ lites, thus requiring a higher numbers of markers to achieve similar PI values. It has been estimated that 20 SNPs with a minor allele frequency above 0.30 are needed to achieve a similar PI as when six SSR loci are used. The advantage of SNPs is reflected in their bi-allelic nature, since there are still frequent problems of microsatellite allele identification among different labs using different techniques for allele separation.

A set of 48 SNPs was proposed as a standard set for grapevine genotyping [89]. For success‐ ful genotyping, these 48 SNPs were chosen from an initial set of 332 SNPs, and are showing high information content, small minor allele frequency and are equally distributed across 17 chromosomes of grapevine (2-3 SNPs per chromosome). They have similar discrimination power to a set of 15 microsatellite markers.

SNPs markers have been shown to be efficient in parentage/offspring and kinship analysis. Zinelabidine et al. [90] used SNP markers to assess the role of the cultivar Cayetana Blanca in terms of its genetic relationships with other Iberian and Mediterranean cultivars. A total of 427 cultivars were analyzed as possible parent candidates, using 243 SNPs. It was discov‐ ered that Cayetana Blanca is a putative parent of several other Iberian varieties. Cayetana Blanca and Alfrocheiro Preto gave rise to 5 cultivars used in Portugal and found in this study to be sibling cultivars. Cayetana Blanaca parents remain unknown but the analysis in‐ dicated that this cultivar is the progenitor of several cultivars that are grown on the Iberian Peninsula, thus also being of Iberian origin.

SNP markers are useful in genetic mapping studies particulary in search of trait-linked markers. SNP markers highly associated with berry weight variability in grapevines have been identified. While searching for SNP markers linked to the fleshless berry mutation, 554 SNPs were identified along the *flb* region (assumed to comprise four genes involved in berry weight variation). This nucleotide diversity demonstrated by the discovered SNPs could be further used for developing a genotyping chip useful for fine mapping of the *flb* gene and analysis of genetic diversity [91]. Emanuelli et al. [92] confirmed the role of the candidate gene *VvDXS* in determining the muscat flavour in grapevines. This study revealed three SNPs that are significantly associated with muscat flavoured varieties, while an SNP in the coding region of *VvDXS* has been suggested as the causal gain of function mutation. Poly‐ morphisms in the nucleotide sequence of *VvDXS* could be applied in marker assisted selec‐ tion for rapid screening of seedlings for their potential to express muscat flavour.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms represent a new generation marker system that is nowa‐ days compared favourably to the greatly used microsatellite markers in grapevines. The ma‐ jor advantage of SNPs is their higher abundance within a genome, and they are more present in coding regions with a high possibility of being trait linked in genome mapping. Since the assessment of the grapevine genome sequence of a highly homozygous genotype [82] and heterozygous clone of Pinot Noir [83], high throughput methodologies for SNP de‐ tection and identification have become available, with the results easily transferable be‐ tween different laboratories. This transferability is also reflected in the bi-allelic nature of SNPs as opposed to the allele bining related to microsatellites, and no use of reference culti‐ vars is needed. The allele bining issue in microsatellites has been partially overcome with the discovery of 3 to 5 core repeats and microsatellites still remain markers with higher PIC values than SNPs.

#### **Author details**

structed from these data, which discriminated well among the analyzed 16 cultivars (11 Eurasian and 5 Euramerica cultivars), proving SNPs to be effective for grapevine geno‐

Lijavetzky et al. [86] employed high throughput SNP discovery approach for analysing 230 gene fragments of eleven genotypes. The approach enabled the discovery of 1573 SNPs of which 96 were submitted to high throughput genotyping technology for marker develop‐ ment. 80 SNPs were successfully genotyped in 360 grapevine genotypes, with a success rate

At the start of large-scale development of SNP markers, low and mid throughput methods were available for SNP detection and identification of grapevines. Pindo et al. [87] provided a high throughput SNP genotyping method (SNPlex genotyping system), which correlated with the completion of the sequencing of the heterozygous genome of Pinot Noir [83]. About 950 candidates SNP from non-repetitive contigs of the assembled genome of Pinot Noir, were tested on 90 progeny of a Syrah × Pinot Noir cross. They obtained 563 new eSNPs and mapped them according to their quality values. This methodology was shown to be accurate and reproducible, and the high level of throughput enabled analysis of several hundred SNP in a hundred samples at the same time. Myles et al. [88] identified 469,470 SNPs from reduced representation libraries from 17 grapevine samples (10 *V*. *vinifera* L. cultivars and 7 wild species), which were sequenced using sequencing-by-synthesis technology. A subset consisting of 8898 SNPs were validated which are referred to as a Vitis9KSNP genotyping array. This 9K array demonstrated the power to distinguish between *V*. *vinifera* L. cultivars, hybrids and wild

Cultivar identification is one of the many applications of the various marker systems. In re‐ lation to the greatly used microsatellites, it has been proved that six SSR loci are enough for genetic identification of most cultivars, with a cumulative probability of identity of 4.3 × 10-9 [51]. Lijavetzky et al. [86] found that SNP markers generated a lower PIC than microsatel‐ lites, thus requiring a higher numbers of markers to achieve similar PI values. It has been estimated that 20 SNPs with a minor allele frequency above 0.30 are needed to achieve a similar PI as when six SSR loci are used. The advantage of SNPs is reflected in their bi-allelic nature, since there are still frequent problems of microsatellite allele identification among

A set of 48 SNPs was proposed as a standard set for grapevine genotyping [89]. For success‐ ful genotyping, these 48 SNPs were chosen from an initial set of 332 SNPs, and are showing high information content, small minor allele frequency and are equally distributed across 17 chromosomes of grapevine (2-3 SNPs per chromosome). They have similar discrimination

SNPs markers have been shown to be efficient in parentage/offspring and kinship analysis. Zinelabidine et al. [90] used SNP markers to assess the role of the cultivar Cayetana Blanca in terms of its genetic relationships with other Iberian and Mediterranean cultivars. A total of 427 cultivars were analyzed as possible parent candidates, using 243 SNPs. It was discov‐ ered that Cayetana Blanca is a putative parent of several other Iberian varieties. Cayetana

species, resolving the genetic relationships among diverse cultivars.

different labs using different techniques for allele separation.

power to a set of 15 microsatellite markers.

type identification.

14 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

of 93.5% within a sample.

Lidija Tomić1,2\*, Nataša Štajner2 and Branka Javornik2


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### **Application of Microsatellite Markers in Grapevine and Olives**

Jernej Jakše, Nataša Štajner, Lidija Tomić and Branka Javornik

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/ 53411

#### **1. Microsatellite markers**

Since their discovery in the 80s, microsatellites have become a popular molecular marker for studying plant genomes and are still the marker system of choice for various applications, such as genetic diversity and genetic structure studies, fingerprinting of individuals, parent‐ age analyses and mapping studies. Although they have been used as a PCR marker system for more than 20 years now [1, 2], the numerous recent publications on their use confirm their durability and relevance. This is mainly due to their intrinsic properties (associated high polymorphisms) and a constant evolution of the technical methodology in terms of high throughput, ease of use and price. The starting methodology was based on radioactive labelled amplified microsatellite alleles separated on polyacrilamide gels. Nowadays, highly multiplexed fluorescently labelled microsatellites are commonly genotyped in capillary based automatic systems.

#### **1.1. Microsatellite specifications, nomenclature and definitions**

Microsatellites are part of tandemly repeated sequences of the genome, where a specific core motif is repeated several times. The term microsatellite is coined from the term "satellite", which originates from DNA buoyant density gradient centrifugation experiments, in which DNA fragments with different base composition were separated from the main genomic DNA and formed a so-called "satellite" band. It was found that these satellite bands contain tandem arrays of repetitive sequences [3]. Based on the length of the core repeat unit, the repetitive DNA is classified as satellite, minisatellite or microsatellite DNA. While the repeat units in satellite and minisatellite DNA can be from 100 kb to over Mb and from 10 to 80 bp long, respectively, the core repeat unit of microsatellites is the shortest and in a range from 2

© 2013 Jakše et al.; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Jakše et al.; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

to 8 bp [4]. Some researchers also consider mononucleotide tracts (e.g., (A)n) to be part of the microsatellite DNA [5], although they are less suitable for marker development and geno‐ typing purposes, due to their properties. In some classifications, only repeats up to 5 bp are considered to be part of microsatellite DNA [6]. Nevertheless, the commonest targets for marker development are di-, tri- and tetranucleotide microsatellites.

In addition to microsatellites, several synonymous terms are used to describe the smallest class of tandem repeats. The term microsatellite was initially used to describe the most fre‐ quent human dinucleotide repeat (CA)n/(GT)n [2] and various terms were used for other types. Synonyms are also often used for describing microsatellite sequences, such as "simple sequence repeats" (SSR), "short tandem repeats" (STR), and "variable number of tandem re‐ peat" (VNTR). The VNTR term is particularly suitable for describing both microsatellite and minisatellite sequences and for bridging the gap between these two types [7]. Hancock [8] proposed that only the term microsatellite should be used, to avoid confusion. Based on the repeat type and its composition, the following nomenclature and classes of microsatellites have been proposed [7]:


Another phrase that describes microsatellite-like sequences and is useful for proper annota‐ tion of such sequence arrays is cryptic simplicity [8]. Such regions resemble microsatellite repeats but are interrupted many times with irregularities. The authors suggested that these sequences are an intermediate stage during the birth or death of the microsatellite.

#### **1.2. Microsatellite frequencies and distributions in plant genomes**

Numerous publications deal with analysis of the frequencies and distributions of microsatel‐ lites. Citing all of them is beyond the scope of this chapter. We will highlight the first pub‐ lished papers related to database searches of plant sequences, and data on two model plants - rice and *Arabidopsis -* as representatives of monocot and dicot kingdoms. In grapevine, the genome sequence is available and positions of microsatellite sequences are known. In olive, however, the amount of sequence data is still scarce. Microsatellites were at first considered to be part of the "junk" part of the genome but there is planty of evidence today that they are also abundant in genes as part of promoters, UTRs, introns or even coding sequences.

The first surveys of publicly available sequence data of higher plants for the presence, abun‐ dance and ubiquity of di- and trinucleotide repeats were conducted in 1993 [9, 10]. They found that the most frequent dinucleotide repeats were (AT)n tracts with 74%, followed by (AG)n/ (TC)n with 24% and (AC)n/(TG)n with 1%. These were the first publications to indicate the different frequencies of microsatellite repeats in plants compared to animals and humans, in which (AC)n/(TG)n repeats are by far the most frequent class and the (AT)n type quite rare. The most abundant trinucleotide repeats were (TAT)n and (TCT)n microsatellites, accounting for 27.5% and 25%, respectively. Based on the volume of data they searched, they estimated that the average distance between microsatellites would be about 50 kb. With respect to the cod‐ ing sequences, they found that 22% of dinucleotide types of repeats can be associated with the 5' or 3' UTR regions and introns, whereas trinucleotides can also be found in coding sequen‐ ces. This is because the change in the repeat length of trinucleotide microsatellites does not disrupt the reading frame. A study by Lagercrantz et al. [9] augmented database search with Southern blot analyses of the microsatellite repeats. A study by Wang et al. [11] searched for microsatellite presence in organellar (1.2 Mb) and genomic (3 Mb) plant DNA sequences. They found a low frequency of organelle specific microsatellites, while in general confirming data found by Morgante and Olivieri [10]. Numerous publications followed, analyzing ever larg‐ er volumes of plant sequences or even whole genome data. The results mostly narrowed down the average distance between microsatellite loci, correcting the frequency distributions of specific repeats and highlighting species specific details.

to 8 bp [4]. Some researchers also consider mononucleotide tracts (e.g., (A)n) to be part of the microsatellite DNA [5], although they are less suitable for marker development and geno‐ typing purposes, due to their properties. In some classifications, only repeats up to 5 bp are considered to be part of microsatellite DNA [6]. Nevertheless, the commonest targets for

In addition to microsatellites, several synonymous terms are used to describe the smallest class of tandem repeats. The term microsatellite was initially used to describe the most fre‐ quent human dinucleotide repeat (CA)n/(GT)n [2] and various terms were used for other types. Synonyms are also often used for describing microsatellite sequences, such as "simple sequence repeats" (SSR), "short tandem repeats" (STR), and "variable number of tandem re‐ peat" (VNTR). The VNTR term is particularly suitable for describing both microsatellite and minisatellite sequences and for bridging the gap between these two types [7]. Hancock [8] proposed that only the term microsatellite should be used, to avoid confusion. Based on the repeat type and its composition, the following nomenclature and classes of microsatellites

**a.** a pure or perfect microsatellite consists of only one type of microsatellite repeat, e.g.,

**b.** a compound microsatellite consists of at least two different types of microsatellite re‐

**c.** an interrupted microsatellite (often also listed as imperfect) has a core sequence repeat interrupted by a short insertion of bases not following the repeat type, e.g.,

**d.** authors also use the term complex microsatellite, in which short arrays of repeats are

Another phrase that describes microsatellite-like sequences and is useful for proper annota‐ tion of such sequence arrays is cryptic simplicity [8]. Such regions resemble microsatellite repeats but are interrupted many times with irregularities. The authors suggested that these

Numerous publications deal with analysis of the frequencies and distributions of microsatel‐ lites. Citing all of them is beyond the scope of this chapter. We will highlight the first pub‐ lished papers related to database searches of plant sequences, and data on two model plants - rice and *Arabidopsis -* as representatives of monocot and dicot kingdoms. In grapevine, the genome sequence is available and positions of microsatellite sequences are known. In olive, however, the amount of sequence data is still scarce. Microsatellites were at first considered to be part of the "junk" part of the genome but there is planty of evidence today that they are also abundant in genes as part of promoters, UTRs, introns or even coding sequences. The first surveys of publicly available sequence data of higher plants for the presence, abun‐ dance and ubiquity of di- and trinucleotide repeats were conducted in 1993 [9, 10]. They found

sequences are an intermediate stage during the birth or death of the microsatellite.

marker development are di-, tri- and tetranucleotide microsatellites.

(AG)8CCC(AG)10; they can be of pure or compound type,

interrupted by sequences that are themselves short repeats.

**1.2. Microsatellite frequencies and distributions in plant genomes**

have been proposed [7]:

(AG)14, (ACA)9,

peats, e.g., (CT)10(AT)12,

26 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

A species specific search was conducted on a large set of rice sequences, with an emphasis on express sequence tags (ESTs) to develop markers for mapping [12]. The most abundant dinucleotides were (GA)n repeats, while among trinucleotides, GC rich repeats of (CGG)n and (GAG)n types were most common. The latter may be due to the higher GC content of Poales genomes [13] or the specific poly amino acid tracts present in certain coding sequen‐ ces. The next rice study searched over 58 Mb of rice DNA sequences [14], which confirmed GC rich trinucleotides to be the most abundant microsatellites in the rice genome. The au‐ thors also noted the association of (AT)n microsatellites with miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements, which make them unusable for marker development. With the avail‐ ability of whole genome sequences of rice [15], a complete genome survey of rice microsatel‐ lites was possible and a list was published of 18,828 perfect microsatellite repeats in a length > 20 bp, which behave as hypervariable loci. The whole genome scan confirmed previous reports that (AT)n and (CCG)n repeats are the most common ones in rice (> 35% and ~ 10%).

A study by Cardle et al. [16] investigated the expanding quantity of sequencing data in pub‐ lic databases and compared *Arabidopsis* genomic DNA sequences > 10 kbp and EST data searches with data of certain other plants. The results showed a lower frequency of microsa‐ tellites in EST data, with an average distance between microsatellite loci in genomic data be‐ ing 6.04 kb and 14 kb for ESTs. In genomic data, the frequency of di- and trinucleotides was comparable, while in EST data trinucleotides were more than 2 times more abundant than dinucleotide repeats. Although the amount of genomic sequences from other plants was lower than with *Arabidopsis*, the average distance between microsatellite loci was compara‐ ble with *Arabidopsis,* being 7.4 kb in barley and 6.4 kb in potato. Finally, the *Arabidopsis* ge‐ nome was the first sequenced plant genome to become available, at the end of 2000 [17]. A study by Morgante et al. [18], in which genome and EST sequences of *Arabidopsis* and 4 ma‐ jor crops were used to estimate microsatellite densities, showed that overall microsatellite frequency is related to the investigated genome size and the amount of its repetitive DNA, but the proportion of microsatellite sequences in the transcribed part of the genome re‐ mained constant. The authors concluded that plant microsatellites reside in the low-copy part of the genome, which predates known expansions that have occurred in many species.

Due to its economic and cultural importance and relatively small genome size, the genome sequence of the grapevine (highly selfed Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir) is available [19, 20] and the microsatellite content and distribution has been analyzed [20]. The authors reported on 73,853 microsatellite loci (2-8 bp core repeat unit length) totalling up to 1.8 Mb of the grape‐ vine genome.

Olive is a rather neglected species in terms of the availability of sequences compared to oth‐ er crops or fruit species. The largest available set of olive EST data was obtained by next generation sequencing methodology (454), by which several thousand microsatellites were detected in raw sequencing data [21]. The analyzed data are accessible through WWW avail‐ able Olea EST db in which 13,636 unique sequences contain microsatellites (including mono‐ nucleotide tracts), representing 5.2% of total sequences.

#### **1.3. Searching for microsatellites**

Due to their high polymorphism, which is reflected in multi-allelic patterns at a particular locus, microsatellites are ideal targets for the development of molecular markers. Several strategies have been developed for this purpose, the most ideal of which is locus specific amplification of a microsatellite site by PCR [10]. For this purpose, the DNA sequences sur‐ rounding the microsatellite need to be known, so sequence data is required as the first step. Where species specific sequence information is not available, therefore, genomic libraries need to be developed and screened for the presence of microsatellites. These isolation meth‐ ods can be classified as traditional and specific ones, implementing enrichment strategies and, recently, also next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches.

The traditional microsatellite isolation method makes use of a classical genomic library and Southern screening of such a library with a microsatellite sequence [22]. A problem of such an approach is screening several thousand bacterial clones to obtain only a few microsatellite sequences, due to the low frequency of microsatellite containing clones. This approach was used in the first studies of isolating grapevine microsatellites of VVS and VVMD sets, in which reports on 5 [23] and 4 [24] developed markers was published. The authors reported 0.5% and 1.2% of colonies being positive for two different dinucleotide microsatellites [24] and 0.6% of positive ones for one type of dinucleotide repeat [23]. The first microsatellite markers publish‐ ed for olive of ssrOeUA set were also isolated using the classical approach [25].

Because the traditional approach was very labour intensive, various enrichment strategies were adopted to increase the number of microsatellites in genomic libraries. Such strategies were based on different approaches, e.g., using a *dut/ung* bacterial selection [26] or hybridi‐ zation capture using either biotylinated microsatellite probes and magnetic particles [27, 28] or microsatellite probes attached to small pieces of nylon membrane [4, 29, 30]. These proce‐ dures substantially increased the proportion of microsatellite sequences in libraries up to 95%, which in some cases enabled skipping the tedious Southern screening of the library. Such approaches were used in the discovery and development of additional microsatellite markers for olive [31-33] and *Vitis* species [34].

The emergence of NGS enabled a quantum leap in microsatellite discovery, since massive sequencing enabled the production of a huge amount of sequencing data for several spe‐ cies at the same time [35, 36]. The Southern screening step is no longer needed with the NGS approach.

Where larger amounts of species specific DNA sequences are available, they can be mined for microsatellite repeats using devoted software tools, omitting the costly step of library de‐ velopment. A comprehensive overview of mining tools with specific characteristics and their limitations is available [37]. The database mining approach has been used extensively for mining new microsatellite markers in grapevine, for which public DNA sequences were already available [38, 39].

#### **1.4. Genotyping methodology**

jor crops were used to estimate microsatellite densities, showed that overall microsatellite frequency is related to the investigated genome size and the amount of its repetitive DNA, but the proportion of microsatellite sequences in the transcribed part of the genome re‐ mained constant. The authors concluded that plant microsatellites reside in the low-copy part of the genome, which predates known expansions that have occurred in many species.

Due to its economic and cultural importance and relatively small genome size, the genome sequence of the grapevine (highly selfed Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir) is available [19, 20] and the microsatellite content and distribution has been analyzed [20]. The authors reported on 73,853 microsatellite loci (2-8 bp core repeat unit length) totalling up to 1.8 Mb of the grape‐

Olive is a rather neglected species in terms of the availability of sequences compared to oth‐ er crops or fruit species. The largest available set of olive EST data was obtained by next generation sequencing methodology (454), by which several thousand microsatellites were detected in raw sequencing data [21]. The analyzed data are accessible through WWW avail‐ able Olea EST db in which 13,636 unique sequences contain microsatellites (including mono‐

Due to their high polymorphism, which is reflected in multi-allelic patterns at a particular locus, microsatellites are ideal targets for the development of molecular markers. Several strategies have been developed for this purpose, the most ideal of which is locus specific amplification of a microsatellite site by PCR [10]. For this purpose, the DNA sequences sur‐ rounding the microsatellite need to be known, so sequence data is required as the first step. Where species specific sequence information is not available, therefore, genomic libraries need to be developed and screened for the presence of microsatellites. These isolation meth‐ ods can be classified as traditional and specific ones, implementing enrichment strategies

The traditional microsatellite isolation method makes use of a classical genomic library and Southern screening of such a library with a microsatellite sequence [22]. A problem of such an approach is screening several thousand bacterial clones to obtain only a few microsatellite sequences, due to the low frequency of microsatellite containing clones. This approach was used in the first studies of isolating grapevine microsatellites of VVS and VVMD sets, in which reports on 5 [23] and 4 [24] developed markers was published. The authors reported 0.5% and 1.2% of colonies being positive for two different dinucleotide microsatellites [24] and 0.6% of positive ones for one type of dinucleotide repeat [23]. The first microsatellite markers publish‐

Because the traditional approach was very labour intensive, various enrichment strategies were adopted to increase the number of microsatellites in genomic libraries. Such strategies were based on different approaches, e.g., using a *dut/ung* bacterial selection [26] or hybridi‐ zation capture using either biotylinated microsatellite probes and magnetic particles [27, 28] or microsatellite probes attached to small pieces of nylon membrane [4, 29, 30]. These proce‐

ed for olive of ssrOeUA set were also isolated using the classical approach [25].

nucleotide tracts), representing 5.2% of total sequences.

and, recently, also next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches.

**1.3. Searching for microsatellites**

28 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

vine genome.

Several advances in genotyping methodology enable studies partially to automate the proc‐ ess, populate data in real time and to compare and store the genotyping data easily and effi‐ ciently. Inter-laboratory comparison of the genotyping data has become easy. All advances have sought to achieve two goals to make genotyping faster and cheaper. Microsatellite gen‐ otyping has basically followed the advances of Sanger sequencing, since the same equip‐ ment and methodology is used – separating the fragment within a resolution of 1 bp.

Initially, thin denaturating polyacrilamide gels were used and fragments visualized either by means of radioactive nucleotides [2] or radioactively labelled primers [1] or, in laborato‐ ries without "hot rooms", silver staining procedures were adopted [40].

Automated laser induced fluorescence sequencing revolutionized DNA sequencing and the first fluorescent dyes were introduced, which were also successfully adopted for genotyping purposes. Equipment still relied on polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis but was able to ac‐ quire the data in real-time and no post gel handling was required. Gel based systems were later replaced by capillary ones, whereby a substantial breakthrough in automated sample handling was achieved. These systems are nowadays widely used in microsatellite genotyp‐ ing applications.

Another achievement that can speed up analysis and reduce the costs is multiplexing – a procedure by which several microsatellite loci are co-amplified together in a single tube. The procedure relies on non-overlapping allele sizes of the loci used and on using different fluo‐ rescent fluorophores. Up to five different fluorescent dyes can nowadays be used simultane‐ ously in genotyping applications. Multiplexing requires careful development of primers and precise determination of optimal reaction conditions to achieve co-amplification of several loci, since interactions during PCR are more likely to occur when several loci are amplified together. A multiplexing approach has been developed for grapevine [41]. An easier ap‐ proach that is often used is post-PCR multiplexing, in which single loci amplifications are pooled together after PCR and separated in a single lane [42]. A problem associated with the use of fluorescently labelled primers is the high price of the dye. An economic labelling method, based on the elongation of one primer for a common sequence and using a third labelled primer in a PCR reaction, has been developed [43] and is now widely used, espe‐ cially when a new set of markers is in the developing and optimisation phase.

#### **2. Application of microsatellite markers in grapevine**

#### **2.1. Microsatellite marker development**

Methods that enable analysis at the level of cultivar genotype have been developed because identification of grapevine cultivars based on morphological differences between plants may be incorrect due to the influence of ecological factors. In the last twenty years, various techniques for the characterization of cultivars at the level of DNA (RFLP, RAPD, AFLP, SCAR and SSR markers) and isoenzymes have been established, of which the most appro‐ priate for genotyping are those using microsatellite markers. Microsatellites, in addition to some basic applications, allow the identification and determination of genetic relationships and the origin of varieties and grapevines preserved in collections or found only in vine‐ yards, where they are usually grown only to a minor extent. Many grapevine varieties have several synonyms, meaning that they have different names, although they carry an identical genotype, which can be proved by analysis of microsatellite loci. In some cases, there are al‐ so groups or pairs of varieties that have the same or a very similar name but a different ge‐ netic background; such varieties are called homonyms.

Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have proved to be the most effective mark‐ ers for grapevine genotyping [24, 44-50]. Many microsatellites are highly variable both with‐ in and between species. The polymorphism between individuals is mainly accounted for changes in the number of repetitions of the basic motif [51]. The great variability of microsa‐ tellites is associated with the fact that from 104 to 105 microsatellite loci are randomized in the genome of eukaryotes, which means a large number of polymorphic sites that can be used for genetic markers. Because of the high mutation rate of microsatellite sequences, they are highly informative molecular markers, with a maximum value of polymorphism infor‐ mation and as such have been established for the identification of grapevine cultivars.

Thomas et al. [24] first used microsatellites for the identification of grapevine cultivars and demonstrated that microsatellite sequences are often represented in the grapevine genome and are very informative for the identification of *V. vinifera* cultivars. Detection of microsa‐ tellite polymorphism by the PCR technique is fast, easy and efficient, even with a very low quantity of DNA, which means that in the case of grapevine, products such as must and wine can be used for DNA analysis instead of plant tissue [52, 53]. Because of these charac‐ teristics, microsatellites have proved to be very effective as molecular markers for genotyp‐ ing, identification studies, for solving dilemmas of synonyms, homonyms or the origin of varieties, relatedness studies, for population genetic studies, for the identification of clones and for marker assisted selection.

#### **2.2. Comparison of developed markers**

pooled together after PCR and separated in a single lane [42]. A problem associated with the use of fluorescently labelled primers is the high price of the dye. An economic labelling method, based on the elongation of one primer for a common sequence and using a third labelled primer in a PCR reaction, has been developed [43] and is now widely used, espe‐

Methods that enable analysis at the level of cultivar genotype have been developed because identification of grapevine cultivars based on morphological differences between plants may be incorrect due to the influence of ecological factors. In the last twenty years, various techniques for the characterization of cultivars at the level of DNA (RFLP, RAPD, AFLP, SCAR and SSR markers) and isoenzymes have been established, of which the most appro‐ priate for genotyping are those using microsatellite markers. Microsatellites, in addition to some basic applications, allow the identification and determination of genetic relationships and the origin of varieties and grapevines preserved in collections or found only in vine‐ yards, where they are usually grown only to a minor extent. Many grapevine varieties have several synonyms, meaning that they have different names, although they carry an identical genotype, which can be proved by analysis of microsatellite loci. In some cases, there are al‐ so groups or pairs of varieties that have the same or a very similar name but a different ge‐

Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have proved to be the most effective mark‐ ers for grapevine genotyping [24, 44-50]. Many microsatellites are highly variable both with‐ in and between species. The polymorphism between individuals is mainly accounted for changes in the number of repetitions of the basic motif [51]. The great variability of microsa‐

the genome of eukaryotes, which means a large number of polymorphic sites that can be used for genetic markers. Because of the high mutation rate of microsatellite sequences, they are highly informative molecular markers, with a maximum value of polymorphism infor‐ mation and as such have been established for the identification of grapevine cultivars.

Thomas et al. [24] first used microsatellites for the identification of grapevine cultivars and demonstrated that microsatellite sequences are often represented in the grapevine genome and are very informative for the identification of *V. vinifera* cultivars. Detection of microsa‐ tellite polymorphism by the PCR technique is fast, easy and efficient, even with a very low quantity of DNA, which means that in the case of grapevine, products such as must and wine can be used for DNA analysis instead of plant tissue [52, 53]. Because of these charac‐ teristics, microsatellites have proved to be very effective as molecular markers for genotyp‐ ing, identification studies, for solving dilemmas of synonyms, homonyms or the origin of varieties, relatedness studies, for population genetic studies, for the identification of clones

to 105

microsatellite loci are randomized in

cially when a new set of markers is in the developing and optimisation phase.

**2. Application of microsatellite markers in grapevine**

netic background; such varieties are called homonyms.

tellites is associated with the fact that from 104

and for marker assisted selection.

**2.1. Microsatellite marker development**

30 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Microsatellites are known to have different mutation rates between loci [54] and there are several potential factors that contribute to the diverse dynamics of the development of mi‐ crosatellite sequences: the number of repetitions, type of repeat sequence motif, the length of repeat units, interruptions in microsatellite, flanking regions, recombination rate etc.

Hundreds of microsatellite markers for grapevines have been developed and most of them are publicly available [23, 38, 41, 55-60], large set also by the Vitis Microsatellite Consortium by the company Agrogene (France). The extraordinary potential of some of them and their usefulness in determining grapevine cultivars and rootstocks has been demonstrated in many studies and they have been used for identification in most European winegrowing re‐ gions. A set of six (VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27, VrZag62, VrZAG79) or nine (+ VVMD32, VVMD36, VVMD25) microsatellite markers has mostly been used in grapevine gentyping studies, which are highly polymorphic and most appropriate for determining ge‐ netic variability among European grapevine cultivars [61, 62]. Microsatellite markers are evaluated on the basis of various parameters of variability: observed heterozygosity (Ho) is the proportion of heterozygous individuals in the analyzed sample; expected heterozygosity (He) or genetic diversity shows the percentage of the population that would be heterozy‐ gous if an accidental cross occurs between individuals; the polymorphic information content (PIC) includes both the number of alleles detected at each locus, as well as the frequency of each allele and is the rate at which a marker unambiguously determines the genetic identity of an individual; the probability of identity (PI) is the likelihood of two randomly chosen in‐ dividuals having two identical alleles at any locus; the power of discrimination (PD) is the probability that two randomly sampled accessions in the studied population can be differen‐ tiated by their allelic profile at a given locus. Higher PI values or lower PD values show a low discrimination power of the locus, which is usually the consequence of a small number of alleles or the high frequency of one allele.

On average, the number of amplified alleles per locus has been similar among different studies [46, 57, 63, 64] but the variability mostly depends on the size and heterogeneity of the sample. In contrast, the discriminative power of loci can vary significantly; for example,, in Slovenian grapevines SsrVrZAG79 proved to be the most informative locus, with a PD value of 0.928 [65] but in Portuguese grape varieties [63], this locus was considered to be least informative. The comparison confirmed the findings of Sefc et al. [46] that the discrimi‐ nation power of each marker depends on the set of analyzed samples, which is related to the fact that different alleles are dominant in different regions the vines are growing.

Locus VVMD5 also proved to have high discriminative power in analysis of Slovenian grapevines (0.925) [65], Castilian – Spain grapevines (0.934) [48] and also in the analysis of grapevines collected in Balkan countries (0.932) [66]. In the last study, the maximum power associated with high PD values (0.96, 0.94) was evidenced separately for loci VVMD28 and Vchr8b. Locus Vchr8b is one of the 'new' microsatellite markers, containing tri-, tetra- and penta-nucleotide repeats selected from a total of 26,962 perfect microsatellites in the genome sequence of grapevine PN40024 [38]. In the study by Cipriani et al. [49], based on the geno‐ typing of 1005 grapevine accessions with a 'new' set of 34 SSR markers with a long core re‐ peat optimized for grape genotyping [38], the loci with the highest power of discrimination were Vchr3a and Vchr8b. However, from later results it can be concluded that locus Vchr8b is highly discriminative but also shows a high estimated frequency of null alleles (>0.20), which may indicate an excess of homozygotes, expected to some extent in grape or a muta‐ tion at the priming site of the locus. The presence of null alleles for the loci, as for example Vchr8b and VVMD36 was observed in different studies [49, 65, 67, 68] and usually loci with null alleles resulted in no PCR amplification for samples representing the homozygous gen‐ otypes and lead to greater number of missing data in the study.

The comprehensive ranking of 'new' and 'old' SSR markers was facilitated in the study of Tomić [68] where all potentially good markers were evaluated together and according to their power of discrimination (only for loci with PD>0.9) ranked as follows: VVMD28, VChr8b, VVMD5, VrZAG79, VVMD32, VChr3a.

Based on high values for power of discrimination (PD), it can be said that alleles are uni‐ formly distributed among the analyzed samples and that loci are very informative. A low PD value despite a large number of amplified alleles at a specific locus is sometimes due to the uneven distribution of allele frequencies in the analyzed sample, as for example at locus VVMD7 [65], where the frequencies of three out of ten alleles added up to 85%. Locus Vchr8b amplified 21 alleles in two studies [49, 68] but only 6 alleles were shown to be effec‐ tive and two alleles prevailed, with frequencies over 20% [49].

A study by Laucou et al. [50] comprises the largest analysis of genetic diversity in grape ev‐ er, with an estimate of the usefulness of 20 SSR markers scattered throughout the genome in a set of 4,370 accessions [3,727 Vitis vinifera subsp. sativa accessions, 80 Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris individuals, 364 interspecific Vitis hybrid accessions used for fruit production and 199 Vitis rootstocks). Of these markers, 11 were from previous studies [61] and 9 from a ge‐ netic map [59], chosen according to their position and ease of genotyping. When arranged according to PI, a set of eight markers (VVIp31, VVMD28, VVMD5, VVS2, VVIv37, VMC1b11, VVMD27 and VVMD32) was determined as sufficient for identification of all the cultivars. The highest observed PD calculated from 2,739 single accessions was obtained for VVIp31 and VVMD28 markers [0.982 and 0.981, respectively) and five out of the eight most discriminative markers belong to a previously reported set of 'old' markers. Based on crite‐ ria such as multiplexing and easy-scoring, Laucou et al. [50] defined another minimum set of nine SSR markers (VVMD5, VVMD27, VVMD7, VVMD25, VVIh54, VVIp60, VVIn16, VVIb01, VVIq52) and proposed them for the routine analysis of European grapevines.

However, there are some limitations even with SSR markers, such as when the PCR amplifi‐ cation gives instead of one or two expected fragments (alleles), a group of fragments that differ by only 2 bp. Additional fragments, also called secondary fragments (stutter bands), are usually caused by slippage during amplification with *Taq* polymerase and the determi‐ nation of allele lengths can therefore be difficult, especially if the two alleles differ only by two bp and it is necessary to distinguish homo-and heterozygous form. In reviewing for stutter bands the set of nine di-nucleotide markers currently in use, locus VVS2 has by far the strongest stutter bands,VVMD32 has two or three stutters, but not distracting because the "main" peak is well established, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27 and ZAG62 all have one stutter and VVMD25, ZAG79, VVMD28 have no stutter bands. Tri-, tetra- and penta-nucleo‐ tide SSR markers are less prone to stuttering and the space between adjacent alleles is larger than in di-nucleotide SSRs, which enable a clear distinction between true alleles and stutter bands and minimize miscalling of the true allele. To overcome these limitations, Cipriani et al. [38] developed 'new' tri-, tetra- and penta-nucleotide repeated markers, which have proved to be very efficient [68].

#### **2.3. Effectiveness of microsatellite markers in different applications**

#### *2.3.1. Chimerism*

peat optimized for grape genotyping [38], the loci with the highest power of discrimination were Vchr3a and Vchr8b. However, from later results it can be concluded that locus Vchr8b is highly discriminative but also shows a high estimated frequency of null alleles (>0.20), which may indicate an excess of homozygotes, expected to some extent in grape or a muta‐ tion at the priming site of the locus. The presence of null alleles for the loci, as for example Vchr8b and VVMD36 was observed in different studies [49, 65, 67, 68] and usually loci with null alleles resulted in no PCR amplification for samples representing the homozygous gen‐

The comprehensive ranking of 'new' and 'old' SSR markers was facilitated in the study of Tomić [68] where all potentially good markers were evaluated together and according to their power of discrimination (only for loci with PD>0.9) ranked as follows: VVMD28,

Based on high values for power of discrimination (PD), it can be said that alleles are uni‐ formly distributed among the analyzed samples and that loci are very informative. A low PD value despite a large number of amplified alleles at a specific locus is sometimes due to the uneven distribution of allele frequencies in the analyzed sample, as for example at locus VVMD7 [65], where the frequencies of three out of ten alleles added up to 85%. Locus Vchr8b amplified 21 alleles in two studies [49, 68] but only 6 alleles were shown to be effec‐

A study by Laucou et al. [50] comprises the largest analysis of genetic diversity in grape ev‐ er, with an estimate of the usefulness of 20 SSR markers scattered throughout the genome in a set of 4,370 accessions [3,727 Vitis vinifera subsp. sativa accessions, 80 Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris individuals, 364 interspecific Vitis hybrid accessions used for fruit production and 199 Vitis rootstocks). Of these markers, 11 were from previous studies [61] and 9 from a ge‐ netic map [59], chosen according to their position and ease of genotyping. When arranged according to PI, a set of eight markers (VVIp31, VVMD28, VVMD5, VVS2, VVIv37, VMC1b11, VVMD27 and VVMD32) was determined as sufficient for identification of all the cultivars. The highest observed PD calculated from 2,739 single accessions was obtained for VVIp31 and VVMD28 markers [0.982 and 0.981, respectively) and five out of the eight most discriminative markers belong to a previously reported set of 'old' markers. Based on crite‐ ria such as multiplexing and easy-scoring, Laucou et al. [50] defined another minimum set of nine SSR markers (VVMD5, VVMD27, VVMD7, VVMD25, VVIh54, VVIp60, VVIn16, VVIb01, VVIq52) and proposed them for the routine analysis of European grapevines.

However, there are some limitations even with SSR markers, such as when the PCR amplifi‐ cation gives instead of one or two expected fragments (alleles), a group of fragments that differ by only 2 bp. Additional fragments, also called secondary fragments (stutter bands), are usually caused by slippage during amplification with *Taq* polymerase and the determi‐ nation of allele lengths can therefore be difficult, especially if the two alleles differ only by two bp and it is necessary to distinguish homo-and heterozygous form. In reviewing for stutter bands the set of nine di-nucleotide markers currently in use, locus VVS2 has by far the strongest stutter bands,VVMD32 has two or three stutters, but not distracting because the "main" peak is well established, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27 and ZAG62 all have one

otypes and lead to greater number of missing data in the study.

tive and two alleles prevailed, with frequencies over 20% [49].

VChr8b, VVMD5, VrZAG79, VVMD32, VChr3a.

32 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Microsatellite markers have often been used to differentiate grapes at a cultivar level and have been less interesting and less effective for the study of clonal variation [46]. Many cases have been recently described in which clones of grape varieties can be distinguished with microsatellite markers, such as 'Pinot Noir' 'Pinot gris', 'Pinot blanc' [69], 'Pinot Meunier' [70] 'Chardonnay' [71], synonyms of variety 'Black Currant' and 'Mavri Corinthiaki' [72], 'Pikolit' [73], etc. Laucou et al. [50] tested whether SSR markers could easily identify cultivars and clones when applied to a very large set of grape samples. Five percent of differentiated clones revealed between 1 and 3 differences (and only one mutant with four differences). Differences were sometimes of a homozygote versus heterozygote type or size shifts in 1 al‐ lele. It was demonstrated that cultivars showed at least four allelic differences, while clones showed fewer than four allelic differences but can also be distinguished. Studies of microsa‐ tellites have also demonstrated that the main type of mutation that leads to clonal variation is the development of chimeric growing tips. A chimera is a specific type of genetic mosaic, which is usually the result of mutation in one cell of the shoot apical meristem, spread by replication and cell division. The presence of a third allele suggests that the plant is a pericli‐ nal chimera, in which a mutant allele is present only in the L1 layer, as described by Riaz et al. [71]. Most chimeric cultivars do not exhibit special phenotypes, although some of them do so, such as Pinot Meunier (trichomes) and pinot gris (berry colour). Chimerism is usually detected at various loci, such as in studies by Tomić [68] and Stenkamp et al. [70], in which it was detected at five (VVMD7, VVMD32, VChr8a, VChr8b and VChr9a) and four (VMC9a3.1, VVS5, VVMD7, and VrZag79) different loci, respectively. Triallelic profiles at lo‐ ci VVS2 and VVS5 were detected for Pinot Meunier clone [70], and for Primitivo di Gioia at locus VVS19 [74]. In the review of research, we found that a three-allelic profile has ap‐ peared several times at locus VVMD7 [68, 69, 75] and, in the last study [68] VVMD7 was shown to carry three alleles in 12 different cultivars out of 16 cultivars showing chimerism.

#### *2.3.2. Cultivar identity/synonyms detection*

There are around 10,000 grapevine cultivars held in germplasm collections worldwide [48] but, based on DNA analyses, the number of grapevine varieties is estimated at approx. 5,000 [76]. This proves the need for identifying synonyms and homonyms in collections to remove redundant accessions and improve management.

Local winegrowers in the past cultivated primarily less known varieties, but with the inten‐ sive renovation of vineyards these have almost disappeared and been replaced by new vari‐ eties grown elsewhere in Europe. Most winegrowing countries have initiated a global campaign of collecting, preserving and evaluating old cultivars and clones, as well as organ‐ izing collections. Some of these indigenous or local varieties are particularly promising in terms of high quality but, in the past, for various reasons, have not been adequately exploit‐ ed. Wine produced today from native varieties provides a new niche in the competitive market. The descriptions of some of these varieties and associated data available are incom‐ plete and it is necessary to identify them or resolve their description. In addition, the popu‐ lations of *Vitis vinifera* L. are often very heterogeneous and vines of each clone can be very different, which also hampers identification at the morphological level [50]. Diverse histori‐ cal development and multilingual areas have contributed to differences in the naming of lo‐ cal varieties, which have resulted in the high number of synonyms and homonyms [76].

Laucou et al. [50] recently published data that, among 4,370 accessions maintained in the IN‐ RA germplasm collection, 1,050 cases of questionable synonyms were discovered or con‐ firmed. Santana et al. [48] found 300 synonymic samples among 421 Spanish grapevines and Cipriani et al. [49] 260 out of 1005 international, national and local grapevine accessions. To‐ mić [68] reported 58 synonyms out of 196 samples included in SSR analysis, discovering 20 groups of synonyms and 12 groups of homonyms associated with the wrong description due to local denominations. In the latest study [68] cultivar identification was performed al‐ so by comparing the set of 138 unique profiles (without redundant genotypes) with approxi‐ mately 2000 other grape genotypes grown in Europe (personal communication with Vouillamoz, Jose) and 15 groups of synonyms and 3 groups of homonyms were found. Comparison of Slovenian genotypes [65] with 161 European varieties described by Sefc et al. [46] helped to identify 3 new pairs of synonyms: Volovnik = Vela Pergolla (Croatia), Pregarc = Garnache Tintorera (Spanish) and Kanarjola = Trebbiano Toscano (Italian).

Microsatellite similarity analysis of Slovenian genotypes [65, 75] confirmed some suspicions of identical varieties made on the basis of morphological characters; such as the variety Ferjanščkova, which was shown to be a synonym for Merlot and Grganc a synonym for Rebula, which means that the ancient names have apparently been preserved in some areas in Slov‐ enian Istria. A group of five varieties (Glera = Prosecco = Briška Glera = Števerjana = Beli teran) is among synonyms that were *de novo* obtained by analysis of microsatellites; some of them have been previously described based on morphological similarity, while, for example, Šte‐ verjana is a new synonym of these varieties. A high diversity of microsatellite loci was detect‐ ed between the varieties Briška Glera and White Glera, which could be explained by the fact that the Glera name was often used in the past for a variety of white grapevine varieties grown in the sub-Mediterranean part of Slovenia. Another group of homonyms represent varieties called Ribolla (Rebula, Old Rebula and Rebula-100 years) also revealing high polymorphism among them. A comparison of genotypes of Slovenian [65, 75] and Croatian varieties [77], performed on the basis of 7 microsatellite loci, also revealed synonyms between Muscat Ruža Porečki (Croatia) and Cipro (Slovenia) and between Ranfol bijeli (Croatia) and Belina Ple‐ terje (Slovenia). Homonymy was detected between the Croatian variety Plavina described by Calo et al. [78] and the Slovenian variety with the same name, although their similarity based on SSR analysis was only 20% [65]. Varieties called Pagadebiti from Slovenia [65], Croatia [78] and Italy [79] also revealed very different SSR-allelic profiles.

#### *2.3.3. Genetic relatedness, structure and parentage*

Local winegrowers in the past cultivated primarily less known varieties, but with the inten‐ sive renovation of vineyards these have almost disappeared and been replaced by new vari‐ eties grown elsewhere in Europe. Most winegrowing countries have initiated a global campaign of collecting, preserving and evaluating old cultivars and clones, as well as organ‐ izing collections. Some of these indigenous or local varieties are particularly promising in terms of high quality but, in the past, for various reasons, have not been adequately exploit‐ ed. Wine produced today from native varieties provides a new niche in the competitive market. The descriptions of some of these varieties and associated data available are incom‐ plete and it is necessary to identify them or resolve their description. In addition, the popu‐ lations of *Vitis vinifera* L. are often very heterogeneous and vines of each clone can be very different, which also hampers identification at the morphological level [50]. Diverse histori‐ cal development and multilingual areas have contributed to differences in the naming of lo‐ cal varieties, which have resulted in the high number of synonyms and homonyms [76].

34 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Laucou et al. [50] recently published data that, among 4,370 accessions maintained in the IN‐ RA germplasm collection, 1,050 cases of questionable synonyms were discovered or con‐ firmed. Santana et al. [48] found 300 synonymic samples among 421 Spanish grapevines and Cipriani et al. [49] 260 out of 1005 international, national and local grapevine accessions. To‐ mić [68] reported 58 synonyms out of 196 samples included in SSR analysis, discovering 20 groups of synonyms and 12 groups of homonyms associated with the wrong description due to local denominations. In the latest study [68] cultivar identification was performed al‐ so by comparing the set of 138 unique profiles (without redundant genotypes) with approxi‐ mately 2000 other grape genotypes grown in Europe (personal communication with Vouillamoz, Jose) and 15 groups of synonyms and 3 groups of homonyms were found. Comparison of Slovenian genotypes [65] with 161 European varieties described by Sefc et al. [46] helped to identify 3 new pairs of synonyms: Volovnik = Vela Pergolla (Croatia), Pregarc

Microsatellite similarity analysis of Slovenian genotypes [65, 75] confirmed some suspicions of identical varieties made on the basis of morphological characters; such as the variety Ferjanščkova, which was shown to be a synonym for Merlot and Grganc a synonym for Rebula, which means that the ancient names have apparently been preserved in some areas in Slov‐ enian Istria. A group of five varieties (Glera = Prosecco = Briška Glera = Števerjana = Beli teran) is among synonyms that were *de novo* obtained by analysis of microsatellites; some of them have been previously described based on morphological similarity, while, for example, Šte‐ verjana is a new synonym of these varieties. A high diversity of microsatellite loci was detect‐ ed between the varieties Briška Glera and White Glera, which could be explained by the fact that the Glera name was often used in the past for a variety of white grapevine varieties grown in the sub-Mediterranean part of Slovenia. Another group of homonyms represent varieties called Ribolla (Rebula, Old Rebula and Rebula-100 years) also revealing high polymorphism among them. A comparison of genotypes of Slovenian [65, 75] and Croatian varieties [77], performed on the basis of 7 microsatellite loci, also revealed synonyms between Muscat Ruža Porečki (Croatia) and Cipro (Slovenia) and between Ranfol bijeli (Croatia) and Belina Ple‐ terje (Slovenia). Homonymy was detected between the Croatian variety Plavina described by Calo et al. [78] and the Slovenian variety with the same name, although their similarity based

= Garnache Tintorera (Spanish) and Kanarjola = Trebbiano Toscano (Italian).

Additional important applications of genotyping are analyses of genetic variability, genetic structure and parentage. When the data are comparable between different studies or within a larger group of cultivars, it is possible to identify the origin and relationships of cultivars. For example, a comparison of Slovenian genotypes with 161 genotypes [46] from eight Euro‐ pean winegrowing regions showed that they are more related to Croatian and Greek variet‐ ies than to those from the adjacent Italian peninsula, but most genetically distant from French varieties, which may be a result of maritime trade across the Mediterranean Sea or along commercial routes through the Balkans [65].

Genetic clustering of varieties from the Castilian Plateau of Spain revealed three differentiat‐ ed grups: Muscat-type accessions and interspecific Vitis hybrids, accessions from France and the western Castilian Plateau, and accessions from the central Castilian Plateau together with local table grapes. The close relatedness of accessions from the western plateau among each other and to French varieties suggested the introduction of the latter along the pilgrim‐ age route to Santiago de Compostela [48].

Analysis of genetic relatedness of Balkan genotypes [68] showed that genotypes from Serbia, Bosnia and Slovenia are genetically fairly similar to each other, while genotypes from Mace‐ donia and Montenegro are genetically more distant from the rest.

Microsatellite analysis and grouping of 1005 international, national and local grapevine ac‐ cessions resulted in a weak correlation with their geographical origin and/or current area of cultivation, showing a large admixture of local varieties with those most widely cultivated, as a result of ancient commerce and population flows [49].

#### **2.4.** *Vitis* **microsatellite databases**

The main purpose of assembling data in databases with open access is to enlarge the num‐ ber of varieties available for comparison and to facilitate the identification of genotypes. The largest international Vitis Microsatellite Collection is currently available within the Europe‐ an Vitis Database, which was constructed within the context of the European projects Gen‐ res081, GrapeGen06 and maintains SSR-marker data of 4364 accessions evaluated at 9 SSR loci [80]. High priority in these projects was given to the trueness-to-type of valuable and unique genotypes and a prerequisite for true-to-type identification is analysis of identity based on microsatellites. SSR-marker data within this database can be retrieved in two ways; search by cultivars or search by allele lengths. The database also includes SSR-marker data of 46 reference varieties, which enables comparison of data from different laboratories. The database has open access to partners providing SSR-marker data.

Some minor databases also exist, such as the publicly available Swiss microsatellite database (SVMD) [81], which includes 170 domestic and foreign genotypes growing in the given area and their SSR data for six microsatellite loci (VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27, VVS2, VrZAG62 and VrZAG79). A Greek collection (Greek Vitis Microsatellite Database) includes all possible information about grapevines that grow in Greece and is a combination of two older ampe‐ lographic databases, supplemented by microsatellite data (298 varieties and rootstocks) [82]. The Italian database (GMC - Grape Microsatellite Collection) provides a complete overview of microsatellite analysis of grapevine performed in different laboratories/countries and also includes information on authors and methods of work [83].

The reference varieties presented in the database are prerequisite for the comparison of data revealed from different systems/laboratories. Due to different electrophoresis systems, a dif‐ ference between the lengths of alleles (shift of relative allele length) can be detected and data needs to be standardized. The length of alleles can be changed or standardized, so that anal‐ ysis of genotyping includes some of the reference samples on which to compare 'unknown' samples and their allele lengths can be adjusted. Differences in allele lengths are the same within each locus, so reference samples included in the analysis can be used as a base to standardize all 'unknown' samples [61]. Information on allele lengths obtained in different laboratories can thus be compared and combined into a common database. An alternative for grapevine genotyping, where the complete genome sequence is available, is identifica‐ tion of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), which can be very useful for genotyping purposes, since they can be multiplexed and need no standardization of results with additional reference cultivars. Because SNP markers are bi-allelic, genotypes obtained with different equipment and by different laboratories are always fully comparable [84].

#### **3. Application of microsatellite markers in olives**

Microsatellite markers or SSR (simple sequence repeats) have found wide applications in ge‐ netic studies of olives, including cultivar identification, assessment of genetic diversity in different sets of genotypes, evaluation of relationships among olive cultivars and among cultivated and wild olives, designation of geographic origin, genetic mapping, construction of core collections and similar studies.

This contribution presents a short review of SSR marker application in olives.

#### **3.1. Microsatellite marker development**

In view of their characteristics (high abundance and random in genome, high polymor‐ phism, co-dominant inheritance, locus specific) SSR are desirable markers in plant genetic studies, although considerable input is required for initial marker development. The main features of SSR marker development in olive is summarized in Table1. The first SSR markers in olives were developed in 2000 by two groups. Sefc et al. [25] constructed a genomic li‐ brary using the DNA of three Portuguese olive cultivars for the identification of SSR loci. The genomic library was probed by (GA)n and (CA)n repeats and 28 microsatellite contain‐ ing sequences suitable for primer development were found and 15 SSR loci gave specific amplifications under optimized PCR conditions. These markers were designated ssrOeUA-DCA, followed by a two digit number, in short, a DCA series. Markers were tested on 48 Iberian and Italian olive trees for the number of amplified alleles (on average 8.3 alleles per primer pair), and observed and expected heterozygosity (Ho and He) showed the character‐ istics of each SSR marker (Table 1). The second group [33] developed 5 SSR markers out of 13 microsatellite loci obtained from a GA-enriched genomic library. The 5 SSR markers were tested on a set of 46 olive cultivars for their characteristics, giving an average of 5.2 alleles per marker. They were were designated IAS-olio, followed by a two digit number. Three new series of SSR markers for olives followed in 2002. Carriero et al. [31] developed 20 SSR markers out of a highly (GA)n enriched genomic library and 10 markers were further charac‐ terized on twenty olive cultivars, amplifying 5.7 alleles per marker. These markers are desig‐ nated GAPU, followed by a three digit number. Six SSR markers (EMO, followed by two digits) derived from a (GA)n and (CA)n enriched genomic library and one marker (EMOL) developed from a gene sequence containing a (GA)n microsatellite motif, were tested on 23 olive cultivars, giving an amplification of 6.1 alleles per primer pair [32]. Three of these markers also amplified microsatellite alleles in other species of Oleaceae, showing their transferability. Cipriani et al. [85] published 30 SSR markers designated UDO99-, followed by three digits but they are usually designated UDO-two digits. These markers were tested on a small set of 12 olive cultivars, amplifying 1-7 (average 3.6) alleles per primer pair and five markers gave an allelic profile of duplicated loci. A Spanish group undertook the devel‐ opment of a second set of IAS-olio SSR markers [86]. Primer pairs were designed for 24 mi‐ crosatellite containing sequences, of which 12 loci gave an amplification product of expected profile; 10 markers gave a single locus amplification and 2 markers duplicated loci, con‐ firmed by segregation analysis. Markers were characterized on a set of 51 olive cultivars, giving on average 5.6 alleles per locus. The most recent 12 SSR markers for olives were de‐ veloped by Gil et al. [87], which were characterized on 33 olive cultivars giving an average of 6.75 alleles per locus. These SSR markers were designated ssrOeIGP, followed by digits.

#### **3.2. Comparison of developed markers**

and VrZAG79). A Greek collection (Greek Vitis Microsatellite Database) includes all possible information about grapevines that grow in Greece and is a combination of two older ampe‐ lographic databases, supplemented by microsatellite data (298 varieties and rootstocks) [82]. The Italian database (GMC - Grape Microsatellite Collection) provides a complete overview of microsatellite analysis of grapevine performed in different laboratories/countries and also

The reference varieties presented in the database are prerequisite for the comparison of data revealed from different systems/laboratories. Due to different electrophoresis systems, a dif‐ ference between the lengths of alleles (shift of relative allele length) can be detected and data needs to be standardized. The length of alleles can be changed or standardized, so that anal‐ ysis of genotyping includes some of the reference samples on which to compare 'unknown' samples and their allele lengths can be adjusted. Differences in allele lengths are the same within each locus, so reference samples included in the analysis can be used as a base to standardize all 'unknown' samples [61]. Information on allele lengths obtained in different laboratories can thus be compared and combined into a common database. An alternative for grapevine genotyping, where the complete genome sequence is available, is identifica‐ tion of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), which can be very useful for genotyping purposes, since they can be multiplexed and need no standardization of results with additional reference cultivars. Because SNP markers are bi-allelic, genotypes obtained with different equipment and by different laboratories are always fully comparable [84].

Microsatellite markers or SSR (simple sequence repeats) have found wide applications in ge‐ netic studies of olives, including cultivar identification, assessment of genetic diversity in different sets of genotypes, evaluation of relationships among olive cultivars and among cultivated and wild olives, designation of geographic origin, genetic mapping, construction

In view of their characteristics (high abundance and random in genome, high polymor‐ phism, co-dominant inheritance, locus specific) SSR are desirable markers in plant genetic studies, although considerable input is required for initial marker development. The main features of SSR marker development in olive is summarized in Table1. The first SSR markers in olives were developed in 2000 by two groups. Sefc et al. [25] constructed a genomic li‐ brary using the DNA of three Portuguese olive cultivars for the identification of SSR loci. The genomic library was probed by (GA)n and (CA)n repeats and 28 microsatellite contain‐ ing sequences suitable for primer development were found and 15 SSR loci gave specific amplifications under optimized PCR conditions. These markers were designated ssrOeUA-DCA, followed by a two digit number, in short, a DCA series. Markers were tested on 48

This contribution presents a short review of SSR marker application in olives.

includes information on authors and methods of work [83].

36 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**3. Application of microsatellite markers in olives**

of core collections and similar studies.

**3.1. Microsatellite marker development**

The developed olive SSR markers, particularly those from 2000 and 2002, have been used by various research groups working on olives. The choice of markers from the literature was mainly based on the researchers' selection based on their own experimental results, usually testing the SSR markers on a small set of genotypes and then selecting the markers with the best performance in terms of single locus amplification, stutter of bands, weak amplification of longer alleles, stability of repeats and number of alleles per marker [88] or by the SSR marker characteristics (number of alleles, Ho and He, polymorphic information content (PIC) or discrimination power (DP) provided in the literature. The citation index (Table 1) gives an idea of the most frequently used SSR markers in olives.

However, comparison of the allelic profiles of olive cultivars across different studies has been hindered by the use of different sets of markers and experimental conditions, resulting in discrepancies in allele size assignment. Bandelj et al. [89] carried out one of the first identifi‐ cations of 19 olive cultivars by SSR markers, using a sequencing gel for allele separation and silver staining. The allele sizes were determined by 10 bp size ladder and sequencing reac‐ tion. Sarri et al. [90] used the same nine SSR markers in an analysis of 118 olive cultivars, separating the alleles with sequencing apparatus and sizing them with computer software. A comparison of allele sizes at the same loci between those two works shows discrepancies of 1-2bp per allele, making it difficult to decide whether an allele is 238 bp, 239 bp or 240 bp long. Allele size discrepancy is also reflected in the genotypes of a particular cultivar analysed in different laboratories. For example, the cultivar Arbequina was genotyped at eight common SSR loci by Bandelj et al. [89] and Doveri et al. [91] but showed no match at any loci.

A first attempt to provide some common SSR markers for olive cultivar identification and discrimination was reported by Doveri et al. [91]. Four partner laboratories tested eight SSR markers from the DCA series, on seventeen selected cultivars using ABI and LICOR systems for fragment analysis and allele sizing. The allele sizes of each marker from the different lab‐ oratories were harmonized by comparison and by the use of three cultivars with standard alleles for each loci. Markers DCA3, DCA8, DCA11, DCA13, DCA14 and DCA15 were as‐ sessed as the most reproducible among the four laboratories, stressing that reproducibility depends on the use of the same source of plant material, the same reference cultivars and standardization of analytical conditions. Baldoni et al. [92] later published the most compre‐ hensive evaluation of available SSR markers and produced a consensus list of 11 SSR mark‐ ers for olive genotyping. Thirty-seven SSR markers were tested for reproducibility (low stutter, strong peak signal, single loci amplification and no null alleles) on a set of 21 culti‐ vars, among four laboratories, three using a capillary sequencer (two labs MegaBACE 1000, one lab ABI3130) and one a 2100 Bioanalyzer Agilent. Up to 5 bp discrepancies in allele size were observed among the labs, mainly due to the use of different sequencers and internal allele references. They selected 11 SSR markers for which an allelic ladder at each locus is provided. Alleles were further sequenced to estimate the true size and to characterize the repeat motifs and mapped such that only unlinked loci were selected. The selected markers, ranked by their information value UDO-043, DCA9, GAPU103A, DCA18, DCA16, GA‐ PU101, DCA3, GAPU71B, DCA5, DCA14 and EMO-90, were further tested on a larger set of 77 cultivars to calculate their genetic parameters. This consensus list of SSR markers, togeth‐ er with allelic references, provides a solid platform for olive genotyping by different labs, enabling inter-lab comparison and the construction of an SSR database of olive genotypes, which would be of great help for true-to-type cultivar identification and management of olive germplasm banks.

#### **3.3. Application of SSR markers**

Olive trees have been grown for oil and table olive production in the Mediterranean basin since ancient times. The genetic diversity of cultivated olives is abundant and is character‐ ized by a numerous local cultivars vegatatively propagated by farmers. Bartolini et al. [93] collected information on more than 1,208 cultivars from 52 countries, conserved in 94 collec‐ tions. The number of cultivars is probably much higher, bearing in mind the lack of informa‐ tion on minor cultivars in different olive growing regions. Cultivar surveys have been initiated in many olive growing countries in order to describe existing cultivars, thus obtain‐ ing information for germplasm preservation, description of cultivars of specific growing re‐ gions and for breeding purposes. For the description and management of the existing genetic diversity in olives, molecular markers have been found to be particularly valuable because of such characteristics as high genetic informativeness, environmental independ‐ ence, relatively easy use and the possibility of accumulating a large amount of data. SSR markers, in particular, have been extensively used in olives for cultivar identification, as‐ sessment of genetic diversity and other genetic studies.

separating the alleles with sequencing apparatus and sizing them with computer software. A comparison of allele sizes at the same loci between those two works shows discrepancies of 1-2bp per allele, making it difficult to decide whether an allele is 238 bp, 239 bp or 240 bp long. Allele size discrepancy is also reflected in the genotypes of a particular cultivar analysed in different laboratories. For example, the cultivar Arbequina was genotyped at eight common

A first attempt to provide some common SSR markers for olive cultivar identification and discrimination was reported by Doveri et al. [91]. Four partner laboratories tested eight SSR markers from the DCA series, on seventeen selected cultivars using ABI and LICOR systems for fragment analysis and allele sizing. The allele sizes of each marker from the different lab‐ oratories were harmonized by comparison and by the use of three cultivars with standard alleles for each loci. Markers DCA3, DCA8, DCA11, DCA13, DCA14 and DCA15 were as‐ sessed as the most reproducible among the four laboratories, stressing that reproducibility depends on the use of the same source of plant material, the same reference cultivars and standardization of analytical conditions. Baldoni et al. [92] later published the most compre‐ hensive evaluation of available SSR markers and produced a consensus list of 11 SSR mark‐ ers for olive genotyping. Thirty-seven SSR markers were tested for reproducibility (low stutter, strong peak signal, single loci amplification and no null alleles) on a set of 21 culti‐ vars, among four laboratories, three using a capillary sequencer (two labs MegaBACE 1000, one lab ABI3130) and one a 2100 Bioanalyzer Agilent. Up to 5 bp discrepancies in allele size were observed among the labs, mainly due to the use of different sequencers and internal allele references. They selected 11 SSR markers for which an allelic ladder at each locus is provided. Alleles were further sequenced to estimate the true size and to characterize the repeat motifs and mapped such that only unlinked loci were selected. The selected markers, ranked by their information value UDO-043, DCA9, GAPU103A, DCA18, DCA16, GA‐ PU101, DCA3, GAPU71B, DCA5, DCA14 and EMO-90, were further tested on a larger set of 77 cultivars to calculate their genetic parameters. This consensus list of SSR markers, togeth‐ er with allelic references, provides a solid platform for olive genotyping by different labs, enabling inter-lab comparison and the construction of an SSR database of olive genotypes, which would be of great help for true-to-type cultivar identification and management of

Olive trees have been grown for oil and table olive production in the Mediterranean basin since ancient times. The genetic diversity of cultivated olives is abundant and is character‐ ized by a numerous local cultivars vegatatively propagated by farmers. Bartolini et al. [93] collected information on more than 1,208 cultivars from 52 countries, conserved in 94 collec‐ tions. The number of cultivars is probably much higher, bearing in mind the lack of informa‐ tion on minor cultivars in different olive growing regions. Cultivar surveys have been initiated in many olive growing countries in order to describe existing cultivars, thus obtain‐ ing information for germplasm preservation, description of cultivars of specific growing re‐ gions and for breeding purposes. For the description and management of the existing

SSR loci by Bandelj et al. [89] and Doveri et al. [91] but showed no match at any loci.

olive germplasm banks.

**3.3. Application of SSR markers**

38 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Cultivar identification in olives is important to confirm true-to-type denominated cultivars, solve problems relating to synonyms, homonyms and mislabelled planting material. One of the first cultivar identifications by SSR markers was done on a small set of Slovene and Ital‐ ian [19] cultivars using the DCA series [89]. The work was extended to practical application of SSR markers for confirmation of true-to type denomination of 13 olive samples from nurs‐ ery using two DCA markers [94]. Comparison of the genotyped samples with the genotypes of reference cultivars obtained from three collections enabled confirmation of the correct de‐ nomination of six samples, 5 samples were mislabelled and no reference cultivar was availa‐ ble for two samples. Thirty-five Spanish and Italian olive cultivars of commercial interest were then genotyped by UDO series [95]. Olive cultivars were further genotyped for identi‐ fication purposes or for assessment of genetic diversity on international (world germplasm collections), national (Spain, Italy, Tunis, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Portu‐ gal, Lebanon, Alger) and regional scales (olive growing region with characteristic variety structure). There have been numerous publications from these studies and we present here only a few examples. Sarri et al. [90] genotyped 118 olive cultivars from several Mediterra‐ nean countries by use of twelve SSR markers (10 DCA series, GAPU89 and UDO12) show‐ ing high discrimination power. A combination of only three markers distinguished almost all analysed cultivars and a selection of six markers was sufficient to assign cultivars to their geographic origin, divided into eastern, central and western Mediterranean. Geographic structuring of diversity was also found in a set of 211 autochthonous cultivars in six south‐ ern Italian olive growing regions [96]. The cultivars were analysed by 11 SSR loci (DCA, GA‐ PU and UDO), which discriminated 199 unique genotypes and identified ten pairs of synonyms, four cases of homonyms and a possible parent-offspring relationship. Poljuha et al. [97] analysed 27 olive accessions from an olive growing region in Croatia and Slovenia (Istria), using 12 SSR markers (DCA) and finding a distinction between native and intro‐ duced cultivars, as well as some cases of synonyms and homonyms.

Khadari et al. [98] analysed 215 olive trees sampled in all Moroccan traditional growing regions. Using 15 SSR (4 DCA, 3 GAPU and 8 UDO) they, identified 60 SSR profiles among which 52 genotypes belonged to cultivated trees with no denomination, demonstrating high genetic diversity in Moroccan olive germplasm. However, a single Moroccan cultivar, belonging to a different gene pool to local cultivars, which were probably derived from local domestica‐ tion, was predominant in all growing regions. Local olive domestication in two out of three sampled olive growing regions in Spain was also suggested by Belaj et al. [99] in a study of the relationship between wild and cultivated olives using eight SSR markers (4 DCA, 3 UDO and EMO). A low level of local olive domestication was found in a study of Sardinian wild (21), local (22) and ancient cultivars (35) [100], using 6 DCA, 4 UDO and 3 GAPU SSR mark‐ ers, however most of the Sardinian local cultivars were also very closely related to ancient cultivars analysed. The relationship between ancient olive trees and cultivars in Southern Spain is slightly different, since only 9.6% of 106 ancient trees matched olive cultivars, as revealed by analysis using 14 SSR markers (7 DCA, 2 GAPU and 5 UDO) [101].

Several cases of synonyms, homonyms and mislabelled samples, as well as high diversity were revealed in a survey of 84 accessions from a Tunisian germplasm collection, using eight SSR markers of series DCA (5), GAPU(2) and UDO. On the basis of the SSR analysis, an improved classification of accessions was proposed for better management of the germ‐ plasm collection [102].

Proper management of germplasm collections in terms of evaluation, documentation, regen‐ eration and effective use of available genetic diversity present in a collection is hindered by the large sizes of collections, redundancy and lack of accession information. In order to over‐ come these problems, core collections have been established that contain a limited number of accessions, capturing maximum allelic diversity. There are two world olive germplasm collections, one in Cordoba, Spain (C1) and the other in Marrakech (M), Morocco, which have in common 153 accessions and both core collections have been established using SSR markers for measuring genetic diversity [103, 104]. In the Marrakech collection, 561 acces‐ sions were analysed by 12 SSR markers (8 DCA, 2 GAPU, 1 UDO, 1 EMO) and the estimated core collection comprises 67 accessions; a slightly lower number [56] of accessions to repre‐ sent the total allelic diversity was estimated in the Cordoba collection on the basis of analy‐ sing 378 accessions with 14 SSR markers (6 DCA, 4 GAPU, 4 UDO, 1 EMO). The Cordoba (C2) collection of 361 accessions was additionally assessed with 23 SSR markers (5 DCA, 6GAPU, 8 UDO, 1 EMO, 3 GP) as well as DaRT, SNP and morphological markers and their estimate for a core collection adequate for conservation of genetic diversity was 68 acces‐ sions [105]. Enormous work was carried out in genotyping all these accessions. However, the set of SSR markers used were unfortunately selected arbitrarily. Seven SSR markers were the same in M and C1 collections but only three and one SSR markers were in common with the C2 collection, respectively. In comparison with the Baldoni et al. [92] recommended list of SSR markers, the C1 collection had in common 8 markers, the M collection 6 and the C2 collection only 2 SSR markers. The advantages of SSR markers, which enable inter-labo‐ ratory comparison, in these cases not really fully exploited, since not only the same markers but also harmonized protocols are needed for reliable comparison of analysed genotypes.

In conclusion, SSR markers have been proven through numerous applications to be a very powerful tool in studies of olive genetic structure, domestication processes, genetic relation‐ ships among different cultivars, wild and cultivated olives, in the management of germ‐ plasm collection etc.

Some sort of agreement on the use of SSR markers and protocols should be reached in the future, which would allow inter-laboratory comparisons and, most importantly, the estab‐ lishment of an international olive microsatellite database.


is slightly different, since only 9.6% of 106 ancient trees matched olive cultivars, as revealed

Several cases of synonyms, homonyms and mislabelled samples, as well as high diversity were revealed in a survey of 84 accessions from a Tunisian germplasm collection, using eight SSR markers of series DCA (5), GAPU(2) and UDO. On the basis of the SSR analysis, an improved classification of accessions was proposed for better management of the germ‐

Proper management of germplasm collections in terms of evaluation, documentation, regen‐ eration and effective use of available genetic diversity present in a collection is hindered by the large sizes of collections, redundancy and lack of accession information. In order to over‐ come these problems, core collections have been established that contain a limited number of accessions, capturing maximum allelic diversity. There are two world olive germplasm collections, one in Cordoba, Spain (C1) and the other in Marrakech (M), Morocco, which have in common 153 accessions and both core collections have been established using SSR markers for measuring genetic diversity [103, 104]. In the Marrakech collection, 561 acces‐ sions were analysed by 12 SSR markers (8 DCA, 2 GAPU, 1 UDO, 1 EMO) and the estimated core collection comprises 67 accessions; a slightly lower number [56] of accessions to repre‐ sent the total allelic diversity was estimated in the Cordoba collection on the basis of analy‐ sing 378 accessions with 14 SSR markers (6 DCA, 4 GAPU, 4 UDO, 1 EMO). The Cordoba (C2) collection of 361 accessions was additionally assessed with 23 SSR markers (5 DCA, 6GAPU, 8 UDO, 1 EMO, 3 GP) as well as DaRT, SNP and morphological markers and their estimate for a core collection adequate for conservation of genetic diversity was 68 acces‐ sions [105]. Enormous work was carried out in genotyping all these accessions. However, the set of SSR markers used were unfortunately selected arbitrarily. Seven SSR markers were the same in M and C1 collections but only three and one SSR markers were in common with the C2 collection, respectively. In comparison with the Baldoni et al. [92] recommended list of SSR markers, the C1 collection had in common 8 markers, the M collection 6 and the C2 collection only 2 SSR markers. The advantages of SSR markers, which enable inter-labo‐ ratory comparison, in these cases not really fully exploited, since not only the same markers but also harmonized protocols are needed for reliable comparison of analysed genotypes.

In conclusion, SSR markers have been proven through numerous applications to be a very powerful tool in studies of olive genetic structure, domestication processes, genetic relation‐ ships among different cultivars, wild and cultivated olives, in the management of germ‐

Some sort of agreement on the use of SSR markers and protocols should be reached in the future, which would allow inter-laboratory comparisons and, most importantly, the estab‐

lishment of an international olive microsatellite database.

by analysis using 14 SSR markers (7 DCA, 2 GAPU and 5 UDO) [101].

plasm collection [102].

40 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

plasm collection etc.

**Table 1.** SSR markers development in olives \* single locus amplification (monomorphic, two or multiple loci amplification)

#### **Author details**

Jernej Jakše1\*, Nataša Štajner1 , Lidija Tomić<sup>2</sup> and Branka Javornik2\*

\*Address all correspondence to: branka.javornik@bf.uni-lj.si

1 University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Slovenia

2 University of Banja Luka Faculty of Agriculture, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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### **The Current Status of Wild Grapevine Populations (***Vitis vinifera* **ssp** *sylvestris***) in the Mediterranean Basin**

Rosa A. Arroyo García and Eugenio Revilla

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/52933

#### **1. Introduction**

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50 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

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41-54.

The Eurasian grapevine (*Vitis vinifera* L) is the most widely cultivated and economically im‐ portant fruit crop in the world (Mattia *et al*. 2008). *Vitis vinifera* L includes the cultivated form *V. vinifera* ssp *vinifera* and the wild form *V. vinifera* ssp *sylvestris*, considered as two subspecies based on morphological differences. However, it can be argued that those differ‐ ences are the result of the domestication process (This *et al.* 2006). The wild form, considered the putative ancestor of the cultivated form, represents the only endemic taxon of the *Vita‐ ceae* in Europe and the Maghreb (Heywood and Zohary 1991). Grapevine domestication has been linked to the discovery of wine (McGovern 2004). Although wild grapevines were spread over Southern Europe and Western and Central Asia during the Neolithic period, ar‐ cheological and historical evidence suggest that primo domestication events would had oc‐ curred in the Near-East (McGovern *et al*. 1996). In addition, several studies have shown evidence supporting the existence of secondary domestication events along the Mediterra‐ nean basin (Aradhya *et al*. 2003; Grassi *et al*. 2003, Arroyo-García *et al*. 2006; Lopes *et al*. 2009; Andres *et al*., 2012). Recent genetic analyses using a large SNP platform provided genetic evidence supporting the Eastern origin of most cultivated germplasm as well as the exis‐ tence of introgression from wild germplasm in Western regions, likely as the consequence of those predicted secondary domestication events (Myles *et al*. 2010). Distinction between wild and cultivated forms of *Vitis vinifera* L is mainly based on morphological traits. The most conspicuous differential trait is plant sex: wild grapevines are dioecious (male and female plants), while cultivated forms are mostly hermaphrodite plants, with self fertile hermaph‐ rodite flowers (This *et al*. 2006).

Wild grapevines can still be found in Eastern and Western Europe (Arnold et al. 1998). The South Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia), together with eastern Anatolia, has

© 2013 Arroyo García and Revilla; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Arroyo García and Revilla; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

been considered for a longtime as the birth place for viticulture with the earliest examples of wine-making (This *et al*. 2006, McGovern 2003, Zohary 1995, Olmo 1995, Levadoux 1956, Ne‐ grul 1938). A 1998 census (Arnold et al. 1998) showed that wild grapevine were present in Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, and in the countries of for‐ mer Yugoslavia (Figure 1). Apparently, Spain and Italy harbor the highest number of re‐ corded populations and they were proposed to work as shelters for *V. vinifera* during the last glaciation (about 12,000 years ago) as well as putative sources of postglacial colonization and diversification (Levadoux 1956). Wild vines were abundant in their indigenous range in Europe until the middle of the 19th century, when the arrival of North American pests (Phylloxera) and pathogens (downy and powdery mildews) and the destruction of their habitats drove European wild vines close to extinction (IUCN 1997). The solution to gener‐ ate resistance to Phylloxera was the use of American species and hybrids as rootstocks and many varieties of rootstocks were developed by breeders (Arraigo and Arnold, 2007).

Currently, vines found in natural habitats are considered to be a mixture of wild forms, na‐ turalized cultivated forms and rootstocks escaped from vineyards as well as hybrids derived from spontaneous hybridizations among those species and forms (Laguna 2003, Lacombe *et al.* 2003, This *et al*. 2006). Recently, Arrigo and Arnold (2007) compared ecological features and genetic diversity among populations of naturalized rootstocks and native wild grape‐ vines and did not detect the existence of genetic flux between them. The genetic analysis of wild grapevine populations from France and Spain (Di Vecchi *et al* 2009; Andres *et al* 2012) detected the existence of gene flow between cultivated and wild grapevine, estimating up to 3% of pollen migration between the cultivated fields and closely located wild grape. These pollen fluxes may have a significant effect on the evolution of those populations. Currently, wild grapevine is endangered throughout all its distribution range, (Di Vecchi *et al*. 2009) and conservation efforts are required to maintain the genetic integrity and survival of the remnant populations. Within this context, information on the amount and distribution of wild grapevine genetic diversity is crucial for the development of conservation strategies.

**Figure 1.** Localization of wild grapevine population in the Mediterranean basin. (Heywood and Zohary, 1991).

The principal key ideas of this chapter is a better understanding of the exact status of the remaining wild grape populations and their relationships with existing varieties using the molecular markers and genetic analysis approaches that it has been published about some wild grapevine populations around the Mediterranean basin.

### **2. Chlorotype variation and distribution in** *V. vinifera* **ssp. sylvestris around de Mediterranean basin**

been considered for a longtime as the birth place for viticulture with the earliest examples of wine-making (This *et al*. 2006, McGovern 2003, Zohary 1995, Olmo 1995, Levadoux 1956, Ne‐ grul 1938). A 1998 census (Arnold et al. 1998) showed that wild grapevine were present in Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, and in the countries of for‐ mer Yugoslavia (Figure 1). Apparently, Spain and Italy harbor the highest number of re‐ corded populations and they were proposed to work as shelters for *V. vinifera* during the last glaciation (about 12,000 years ago) as well as putative sources of postglacial colonization and diversification (Levadoux 1956). Wild vines were abundant in their indigenous range in Europe until the middle of the 19th century, when the arrival of North American pests (Phylloxera) and pathogens (downy and powdery mildews) and the destruction of their habitats drove European wild vines close to extinction (IUCN 1997). The solution to gener‐ ate resistance to Phylloxera was the use of American species and hybrids as rootstocks and

52 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

many varieties of rootstocks were developed by breeders (Arraigo and Arnold, 2007).

**Figure 1.** Localization of wild grapevine population in the Mediterranean basin. (Heywood and Zohary, 1991).

Currently, vines found in natural habitats are considered to be a mixture of wild forms, na‐ turalized cultivated forms and rootstocks escaped from vineyards as well as hybrids derived from spontaneous hybridizations among those species and forms (Laguna 2003, Lacombe *et al.* 2003, This *et al*. 2006). Recently, Arrigo and Arnold (2007) compared ecological features and genetic diversity among populations of naturalized rootstocks and native wild grape‐ vines and did not detect the existence of genetic flux between them. The genetic analysis of wild grapevine populations from France and Spain (Di Vecchi *et al* 2009; Andres *et al* 2012) detected the existence of gene flow between cultivated and wild grapevine, estimating up to 3% of pollen migration between the cultivated fields and closely located wild grape. These pollen fluxes may have a significant effect on the evolution of those populations. Currently, wild grapevine is endangered throughout all its distribution range, (Di Vecchi *et al*. 2009) and conservation efforts are required to maintain the genetic integrity and survival of the remnant populations. Within this context, information on the amount and distribution of wild grapevine genetic diversity is crucial for the development of conservation strategies.

The chlorotype variation is based on specific features of the chloroplast genome as well as its conserved gene order and coding sequences in different species and its general lack of heteroplasmy and recombination. Furthermore, chloroplasts are uniparentally transmitted in most species (usually maternal in angiosperms and paternal in gymnosperms). The low mutations rates observed in the chloroplast genome represent a drawback to their wide ap‐ plication in the study of population history and dynamics within a given species. However, this problem has been overcome by the identification of variable intergenic regions and in‐ trons flanked by conserved sequences in many species as well as by the identification of chloroplast microsatellites which consist of mononucleotide repeats. Chloroplast microsatel‐ lites have been found in all plant species analyzed and they frequently are highly polymor‐ phic (Provan *et al.* 2001). One problem associated with chloroplast microsatellites is their high homoplasy due to the recurrent generation of alleles of the same length that creates al‐ leles which being identical by state are not identical by descent. High levels of homoplasy can confound estimates of population differentiation and the recurrent generation of alleles could mimic gene flow (Goldstein and Pollock 1997). The risk is however reduced in intra‐ specific analysis (Arnold *et al*. 2002).

As in other angiosperms, grapevine chloroplasts are maternally inherited (Arroyo-García *et al*. 2002) and therefore transmitted through seeds and cuttings. The chloroplast genome of grape is 160,928 bp in length and its gene content and gene order are identical to many other unarranged angiosperm chloroplast genomes (Jansen *et al*. 2006). Genetic diversity at the grape chloroplast has so far only been analyzed at the level of chloroplast microsatellite loci. Polymorphisms were searched by Arroyo-García *et al*. (2006) with 54 chloroplast microsatel‐ lite markers corresponding to 34 different loci in sample sets of four Vitis species (*Vitis ber‐ landieri* Planchon, *V. riparia* Mich., *V. rupestris* Scheele and *V. vinifera* L.), using primer pairs developed for tobacco (Bryan et al. 1999; Weising and Gardner 1999; Chung and Staub, 2003) and Arabidopsis (Provan 2000). Nine loci were initially found polymorphic due to dif‐ ferences in the number of mononucleotide repeats in poly T/A stretches (Arroyo-García *et al.* 2006), which after comparison with the complete chloroplast genome sequence (Jansen *et al*. 2006) corresponded to five different loci: cpSSR3 (equivalent to NTCP-8), cpSSR5 (equiva‐ lent to NTCP-12 and ccSSR5), cpSSR10 (equivalent to ccSSR14), ccSSR9 and ccSSR23. These loci were genotyped in a sample of more than 1,200 genotypes of *V. vinifera* which uncov‐ ered the presence of two to three alleles per polymorphic locus and a total of eight chloro‐ types. Among them, only four (A, B, C and D) had global frequencies greater than 5%. Chlorotype diversity is moderate in grapevine with diversity values (H) reaching 0.44 in the most diverse populations or cultivars groups that contrast with average H values of 0.55 re‐ ported in Arabidopsis (Picó *et al.* 2008) or H values higher than 0.95 observed in *Pinus syl‐ vestris* (Provan *et al.*, 1998).

Very small and isolated populations of *V. vinifera* ssp. *sylvestris* can still be found in Europe‐ an temperate regions along deep river banks. Among them, Arroyo-Garcia et al, (2006) have performed an exhaustive screening of Iberian and Anatolian populations in the two ends of the Mediterranean basin and have included additional populations representative of other regions; they considered that all the natural populations were grouped in eight population groups following a geographic criterion. No clear-cut geographic structure was found among the seven *sylvestris* population groups considered. However, the most frequent chlorotypes displayed a different geographic distribution. As seen in Fig. 2, chlorotype A is very prevalent in West European *sylvestris* populations (IBP, CEU), but was not found in the Near East (NEA, MEA). In contrast, chlorotypes C, D and G are frequent in Near Eastern populations (NEA, MEA), but were not found farther west (e.g. IBP and CEU).

**Figure 2.** Chlorotype distribution in *sylvestris* and *sativa* population groups. Geographic areas considered are separat‐ ed by lines when needed. Black periods do not mark specific *sylvestris* populations but river valleys where wild geno‐ types were collected at several locations. Asterisks indicate that specific locations of collection in the area are unknown. *Sativa* and *sylvestris* genotypes are grouped in eight population groups. From west to east: Iberian Peninsu‐ la (IBP), Central Europe (CEU), Northern Africa (NAF), Italian Peninsula (ITP), Balkan Peninsula (BAP), Eastern Europe (EEU), Near East (NEA) and Middle East (MEA). The figure also shows the values of unbiased chlorotype diversity and the number of genotypes considered within each population group. Chlorotype colour codes are as in Figure.

#### **3. Multiple origins for cultivated grapevine**

most diverse populations or cultivars groups that contrast with average H values of 0.55 re‐ ported in Arabidopsis (Picó *et al.* 2008) or H values higher than 0.95 observed in *Pinus syl‐*

Very small and isolated populations of *V. vinifera* ssp. *sylvestris* can still be found in Europe‐ an temperate regions along deep river banks. Among them, Arroyo-Garcia et al, (2006) have performed an exhaustive screening of Iberian and Anatolian populations in the two ends of the Mediterranean basin and have included additional populations representative of other regions; they considered that all the natural populations were grouped in eight population groups following a geographic criterion. No clear-cut geographic structure was found among the seven *sylvestris* population groups considered. However, the most frequent chlorotypes displayed a different geographic distribution. As seen in Fig. 2, chlorotype A is very prevalent in West European *sylvestris* populations (IBP, CEU), but was not found in the Near East (NEA, MEA). In contrast, chlorotypes C, D and G are frequent in Near Eastern

*n* **388 68 36 27 8 132 29**

*n* **61 58 52 34 67 106 75 60** *h* **± sd 0.27±0.04 0.39±0.06 0.39±0.03 0.41±0.07 0.43±0.07 0.40±0.06 0.41±0.07 0.36±0.07**

**Figure 2.** Chlorotype distribution in *sylvestris* and *sativa* population groups. Geographic areas considered are separat‐ ed by lines when needed. Black periods do not mark specific *sylvestris* populations but river valleys where wild geno‐ types were collected at several locations. Asterisks indicate that specific locations of collection in the area are unknown. *Sativa* and *sylvestris* genotypes are grouped in eight population groups. From west to east: Iberian Peninsu‐ la (IBP), Central Europe (CEU), Northern Africa (NAF), Italian Peninsula (ITP), Balkan Peninsula (BAP), Eastern Europe (EEU), Near East (NEA) and Middle East (MEA). The figure also shows the values of unbiased chlorotype diversity and the number of genotypes considered within each population group. Chlorotype colour codes are as in Figure.

**IBP CEU ITP NAF BAP EEU NEA MEA**

**IBP CEU ITP NAF BAP EEU NEA MEA**

**40±0.08**

**0.36±0.05 0.44±0.09**

*h* **± sd 0.13±0.05 0.03±0.01 0.43±0.05 0.34±0.06 0.40±0.08** 

populations (NEA, MEA), but were not found farther west (e.g. IBP and CEU).

*vestris* (Provan *et al.*, 1998).

54 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The chlorotype distributions observed among *sylvestris* populations allow for testing the two basic hypotheses on the origin of cultivated grapevine, proposed above, since they lead to different predictions regarding the amount and distribution of chloroplast genetic variation (Arroyo-García *et al.* 2006). The restricted origin hypothesis predicts that the chlorotype di‐ versity of cultivated Eurasian grape should be limited to a few founder chlorotypes. In con‐ trast, a multiple-origin hypothesis would predict greater diversity in cultivated grapevine groups than in *sylvestris* population groups. As shown in Fig. 2, unbiased chlorotype diver‐ sity is very similar in all the cultivated groups (from 0.36 to 0.43 with the exception of a low‐ er value for IBP) and in most cases cultivated diversity values are higher than diversity values observed in *sylvestris* population groups. These results are also consistent with the existence of higher genetic differentiation (*G*ST) among population groups of *sylvestris* (0.353 ± 0.10) than *sativa* (0.169 ± 0.07) grapevines. Interestingly, the geographic distribution observed for some chlorotypes in *sylvestris* groups can still be observed in cultivated groups (Fig. 2). In this way, cultivars with chlorotype A are highly abundant in Western Europe while they were not observed in Near and Middle East samples. Similarly, chlorotypes C and D, which are very common among NEA and MEA cultivars, are less frequent among IBP cultivars. To test further the origin hypotheses, they analyzed the genetic relationships among *sylvestris* and *sativa* population groups, since single- or multiple-origin hypotheses would predict different patterns of genetic relationships. All analyses grouped the cultivat‐ ed population groups in two major clusters (Fig. 3). One cluster with high bootstrap values related the IBP cultivated group with the western, IBP, CEU, and Northern Africa, NAF *syl‐ vestris*, population groups. The second main cluster showed that all the other cultivated groups considered are highly related to eastern *sylvestris* groups NEA and MEA. BAP and ITP *sylvestris* population groups appeared more related to the NEA/MEA cluster than to the western *sylvestris* cluster. These inferences were independent of the genetic model assumed, as the same partitioning was supported by all analyzed models. The statistical analysis was also robust for different clustering methods, including agglomerative and *K*-means, the lat‐ ter indicating two as the optimum number of clusters. In summary, these results support the existence of a relevant genetic contribution of eastern and western *sylvestris* population groups to the genetic make-up of current grapevine cultivars and could suggest the exis‐ tence of at least two origins of *sativa* cultivars: (i) an eastern origin related to NEA and MEA *sylvestris* population groups and characterized by chlorotypes C and D, and (ii) a western origin related to IBP, CEU and NAF *sylvestris* population groups and characterized by chlor‐ otype A. Whether this second origin represents independent domestication events or devel‐ oped as a consequence of the east to west transmission of the 'wine culture' will require further archaeological research. One palaeobotanical study (Hopf 1991) of grape pollen and seeds suggests that the Eurasian grapevine was exploited by Neolithic populations of the Iberian Peninsula before contact with Eastern cultures took place. This implies that grape‐ vine could have been independently domesticated in Eastern and Western Europe. The pu‐ tative existence of western and eastern domestication events is consistent with the morphotype classification of cultivated grapes proposed by Negrul (1938), who distinguish‐ ed an *occidentalis* group, characterized by the small berry grapes of Western Europe, an *ori‐ entalis* group comprised of the large berry cultivars of Central Asia, and a *pontica* group including the intermediate types from the Black Sea basin and Eastern Europe. The results show by Arroyo-García *et al*. (2006) do not exclude the existence of additional genetic contri‐ butions of local *sylvestris* wild germplasm or even domestication events in other regions of the species distribution. However, sample size and the limited chloroplast genetic variation found in the Eurasian grape do not provide enough resolution to detect them. In fact, puta‐ tive genetic relationships between cultivated varieties and local *sylvestris* populations have been proposed in other regions (Grassi *et al*. 2003; Di Vecchi *et al.,* 2009).

**Figure 3.** Genetic relationships among *sylvestris* and *sativa* grapevine population groups. The tree was constructed us‐ ing the neighbor joining method on the Dmyu distance matrix calculated for all pairwise combinations of population groups. Bootstrap support values exceeding 70 are indicated. Branches with low bootstrap support were collapsed. Major clusters are depicted with red and blue colours. *Sylvestris* population groups are depicted in green and *sativa* population groups in magenta. Population codes are as Fig 2.

### **4. Nuclear diversity in cultivated and wild grapevine**

ed an *occidentalis* group, characterized by the small berry grapes of Western Europe, an *ori‐ entalis* group comprised of the large berry cultivars of Central Asia, and a *pontica* group including the intermediate types from the Black Sea basin and Eastern Europe. The results show by Arroyo-García *et al*. (2006) do not exclude the existence of additional genetic contri‐ butions of local *sylvestris* wild germplasm or even domestication events in other regions of the species distribution. However, sample size and the limited chloroplast genetic variation found in the Eurasian grape do not provide enough resolution to detect them. In fact, puta‐ tive genetic relationships between cultivated varieties and local *sylvestris* populations have

**Figure 3.** Genetic relationships among *sylvestris* and *sativa* grapevine population groups. The tree was constructed us‐ ing the neighbor joining method on the Dmyu distance matrix calculated for all pairwise combinations of population groups. Bootstrap support values exceeding 70 are indicated. Branches with low bootstrap support were collapsed. Major clusters are depicted with red and blue colours. *Sylvestris* population groups are depicted in green and *sativa*

population groups in magenta. Population codes are as Fig 2.

been proposed in other regions (Grassi *et al*. 2003; Di Vecchi *et al.,* 2009).

56 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The characterization of the genetic diversity and its distribution throughout the species range is important for our understanding about the adaptation and survival of wild species to ensure that genetic resources are available for use in research and breeding programs (This *et al.,* 2006). Microsatellite markers, being abundant, multi-allelic and polymorphic, provide a means of detecting genetic polymorphism. Due to their co-dominant structure this marker system enables studies on population genetic analysis, assessment of genetic struc‐ tures and differentiation in germplasm collections and natural populations. The cultivated grapevine (*Vitis vinifera* L.) is very diverse, with 6,000–10,000 cultivars believed to exist in the world (Galet 2000), and many grape collections (http://www.vitaceae.org/index.php/ Grape\_Germplasm\_Resources). This large diversity is mostly due to the long history of grapevine cultivation (McGovern 2003), and vegetative propagation, which has enabled the conservation of cultivars over centuries. There is also a large diversity of complex Vitis hy‐ brids and rootstocks (Galet 2000).

Cipriani et al., (2010) have analyzed a collection of 1005 grapevine accessions; they were genotyped at 34 microsatellite loci with the aim of analyzing genetic diversity and exploring parentages. This study constitutes the largest analysis of genetic diversity in cultivated grape and confirms previous analyses suggesting that grape is a very diverse species (Marti‐ nez *et al*. 2006; Ibanez *et al.* 2009). The genetic diversity on average is quite high for *V. vinifera* ssp vinifera (0.769) and even higher for rootstocks and hybrids. It is as diverse as poplar (Smulders *et al*. 2008), rose (Esselink *et al*. 2003), wild populations of rice (Gao *et al*. 2006), and much more diverse than tomato (Ranc *et al*. 2008). High genetic distance is a good indi‐ cation that grape has been widely exchanged and crossed in order to increase its diversity level (This *et al*. 2006). The analysis of kinship uncovered 74 complete pedigrees, with both parents identified. Many of these parentages were not previously known and are of consid‐ erable historical interest. Grouping the accessions by profile resulted in a weak correlation with their geographical origin and current area of cultivation, revealing a large admixture of local varieties with those most widely cultivated, as a result of ancient commerce and popu‐ lation flow.

Several studies have described successfully used microsatellite markers to genotype *V. vini‐ fera* ssp. sylvestris and *V. vinifera* ssp. vinifera (e.g., Aradhya *et al*. 2003; Dangl *et al*. 2001; Im‐ azio *et al*. 2003; Lacombe *et al*. 2003; Regner *et al*. 2000; Lopes *et al.*, 2009; ; Laucou *et al.,* 2011; Andrés *et al.,* 2012). However, *V. vinifera* ssp sylvestris was found to be less diverse than Hy‐ brids or Rootstocks, in accordance with previous observations (De Andres et al. 2007). In general, *V. vinifera* ssp sylvestris is less diverse than the domesticated forms, which could be due to the scarcity of the endangered wild form, small natural populations and the small number of samples available in the collections. The distribution of the wild grapevine has dramatically been reduced over the last 150 years, with the spread of pathogens from North America (phylloxera, oidium, mildew). Most of them died, except in floodplain forests as the root–host homoptera phylloxera was sensitive to flooding (Ocete *et al.,* 2004). Massive death also occurred in vineyards. In France, most vineyards were destroyed and replanted afterwards using American rootstock. Phylloxera did not disappear and continued to infect populations of wild grapevines surviving in the floodplain forests in zones where the water table sank. Intensive river management, starting in the middle of the 19th century, enhanced this process. Two other human impacts also contributed to the destruction of populations of wild Vitis. Shortly after river management, most of the floodplain forests were fragmented and replaced by arable crops or meadows. In remnant forests, the intensification of forest management led to the removal of the vines, considered detrimental to tree growth. Frag‐ mentation of wild grapevine habitats had an enormous impact on gene exchanges between populations, leading to a bottleneck, especially in gyno-dioicious plants. This also reduced the adaptability of the plant to habitat changes.

The total genetic diversity values found in wild grape individuals from Anatolia region are higher than of wild type accessions from other regions such as those described for the Medi‐ terranean basin (Andrés *et al*., 2012; Di Vecchi *et al.*, 2009; Lopes *et al*., 2009; Zinelabidine *et al*. 2010). In general, these values are similar for outcrossing vegetative propagated perennial species (Bejaj *et al*. 2007). The observed heterozygosity (Ho) is not significantly different (P≤0.01) than expected heterozygosity (He) in the wild group, indicating a random mating population. However, reduction in observed heterozygosity has been observed in wild grapevine populations analyzed in Spain, Portugal, France or Italy (Andrés *et al* 2012; Lopes *et al.* 2009; Di Vecchi *et al*. 2006; Grassi *et al*. 2003), most likely due to the reduction of these populations by human action. The comparison of the genetic diversity values with the au‐ thoctonous grape cultivars from Anatolia region indicated that diversity is greater in the wild grapes than in the cultivated ones. Similar results have been found in other studies (Lopes *et al.,* 2009; Riani *et al.,* 2010). The wild grapevine population from the both ends of the Mediterranean basin showed a higher genetic variability in Anatolian wild grape popu‐ lations than in Spanish populations (Ergul *et al.,* 2011). This result is in agreement with the comparison of the number of alleles at the 15 shared SSR loci between Spanish and Anatoli‐ an populations. Of 229 total alleles detected at these loci, 189 were observed only in Spanish while 237 were observed only in Turkish populations. The number of unique alleles in Ana‐ tolian populations was also much higher than in Spanish populations. This result was ex‐ pected as Anatolian populations are located at the primary center of diversity and thus are more diverse than in the peripheral populations. At the same time, the Iberian wild grape populations are small, showed lower genetic diversity values and suffered from inbreeding depression (Andres *et al.,* 2012).

In conclusion, the present study suggests that there is no immediate reason for concern about any demographic bottlenecks facing the wild grape populations of the Anatolian re‐ gion, and the presence of high number of rare alleles in populations investigated here is clear evidence for this finding. At the same time, the wild population from the western and central Europe pointed out that they are suffering inbreeding depression due to the low lev‐ el of genetic diversity. For the future, in situ conservation of wild grapevine populations around the Mediterranean basin should be advanced by a dynamic approach to keep the level and composition of genetic diversity as high as possible for safeguarding these pre‐ cious genetic resources for crop improvement.

#### **5. Genetic relationship: Cultivated versus wild compartment of grape**

afterwards using American rootstock. Phylloxera did not disappear and continued to infect populations of wild grapevines surviving in the floodplain forests in zones where the water table sank. Intensive river management, starting in the middle of the 19th century, enhanced this process. Two other human impacts also contributed to the destruction of populations of wild Vitis. Shortly after river management, most of the floodplain forests were fragmented and replaced by arable crops or meadows. In remnant forests, the intensification of forest management led to the removal of the vines, considered detrimental to tree growth. Frag‐ mentation of wild grapevine habitats had an enormous impact on gene exchanges between populations, leading to a bottleneck, especially in gyno-dioicious plants. This also reduced

The total genetic diversity values found in wild grape individuals from Anatolia region are higher than of wild type accessions from other regions such as those described for the Medi‐ terranean basin (Andrés *et al*., 2012; Di Vecchi *et al.*, 2009; Lopes *et al*., 2009; Zinelabidine *et al*. 2010). In general, these values are similar for outcrossing vegetative propagated perennial species (Bejaj *et al*. 2007). The observed heterozygosity (Ho) is not significantly different (P≤0.01) than expected heterozygosity (He) in the wild group, indicating a random mating population. However, reduction in observed heterozygosity has been observed in wild grapevine populations analyzed in Spain, Portugal, France or Italy (Andrés *et al* 2012; Lopes *et al.* 2009; Di Vecchi *et al*. 2006; Grassi *et al*. 2003), most likely due to the reduction of these populations by human action. The comparison of the genetic diversity values with the au‐ thoctonous grape cultivars from Anatolia region indicated that diversity is greater in the wild grapes than in the cultivated ones. Similar results have been found in other studies (Lopes *et al.,* 2009; Riani *et al.,* 2010). The wild grapevine population from the both ends of the Mediterranean basin showed a higher genetic variability in Anatolian wild grape popu‐ lations than in Spanish populations (Ergul *et al.,* 2011). This result is in agreement with the comparison of the number of alleles at the 15 shared SSR loci between Spanish and Anatoli‐ an populations. Of 229 total alleles detected at these loci, 189 were observed only in Spanish while 237 were observed only in Turkish populations. The number of unique alleles in Ana‐ tolian populations was also much higher than in Spanish populations. This result was ex‐ pected as Anatolian populations are located at the primary center of diversity and thus are more diverse than in the peripheral populations. At the same time, the Iberian wild grape populations are small, showed lower genetic diversity values and suffered from inbreeding

In conclusion, the present study suggests that there is no immediate reason for concern about any demographic bottlenecks facing the wild grape populations of the Anatolian re‐ gion, and the presence of high number of rare alleles in populations investigated here is clear evidence for this finding. At the same time, the wild population from the western and central Europe pointed out that they are suffering inbreeding depression due to the low lev‐ el of genetic diversity. For the future, in situ conservation of wild grapevine populations around the Mediterranean basin should be advanced by a dynamic approach to keep the level and composition of genetic diversity as high as possible for safeguarding these pre‐

the adaptability of the plant to habitat changes.

58 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

depression (Andres *et al.,* 2012).

cious genetic resources for crop improvement.

The picture arising today is of a low but clear genetic differentiation of cultivars and wild grape based either on chloroplast markers (Arroyo-Garcia *et al*. 2006; Grassi *et al*. 2006), nu‐ clear microsatellites (Snoussi *et al*. 2004; Grassi *et al*. 2003; Lopes *et al*., 2009; Ergul *et al*., 2011; Andres *et al*., 2012) or both (Grassi *et al*. 2003; Sefc *et al*. 2003). The wild individuals also clus‐ ter according to their populations (Grassi *et al*. 2008). The positive Fis values observed in the wild grapevine accessions suggest a high level of genetic relationship among the individuals of the same wild populations. In fact, the detection of potential parent-progeny relationships within wild populations supports that possibility (Andres *et al*., 2012). At the same time, the detection of gene flow between both compartments (Di Vecchi *et al.* 2009; Andres *et al*., 2012) could have in the future strong consequences. Therefore, the histories of both compartments are also different and as a consequence linkage disequilibrium is more important in cultivat‐ ed grape (Barnaud *et al.* 2006) than in wild individuals (Barnaud *et al*. 2010).

Until now a systematic genetic and morphological characterization of the individual acces‐ sions had been done with some wild grapevine population in order to confirm whether they could correspond to bona fide ssp. sylvestris individuals, naturalized grapevine culti‐ vars, rootstocks, or spontaneous hybrids derived from wild and cultivated forms as previ‐ ously described (Di Vecchi *et al.* 2009; Zecca *et al.,* 2011; Andres *et al.,* 2012). The results of the genotypic and phenotypic analyses of wild grapevine accessions from Spain allowed classifying approximately 19% of the samples as naturalized cultivated forms (Andres *et al*., 2012). These samples could have "escaped" from old abandoned vineyards. As expected for an outcrossing dioecius subspecies they have observed the existence of spontaneous hy‐ brids (4% of the collected samples) between wild and cultivated forms (Andres *et al.*, 2012). The existence of cross hybridization between wild and cultivated forms has been shown to be a widespread phenomenon in many species (Arnold 1998; Papa and Gepts, 2003; Di Vec‐ chi *et al*. 2009). The detection of spontaneous hybrids in grapevine wild populations is in agreement with the previous detection of pollen flow between vineyards and wild plants reported by Di Vecchi *et al*. (2009). This level of gene flow between wild and cultivated forms taking place during many generations might have consequences, as introgression, pollution of the gene pool and genetic loss, on the evolution of these small wild popula‐ tions (Grassi *et al.* 2006). In addition, these results showed no evidence of hybridization be‐ tween rootstocks and wild individuals (Andres *et al.* 2012). This could be due to the existence of genetic barriers between both taxa such as the phenological mismatches sug‐ gested by Arrigo and Arnold (2007).

Different studies suggest genetic exchange between cultivated and wild grapevines (Cunha *et al*., 2009; Di Vecchi *et al*., 2009; Grassi *et al*., 2003). The genetic relationship between culti‐ vated varieties and wild grapevine populations from Spain suggests a genetic contribution of Southern wild populations in the autochthonous grapevine cultivars varieties (Andres *et al.,* 2012). Therefore, it seems that in opposition to the established dominant theory on the origin of the domestication of grapevine, many of the varieties of the Iberian Peninsula and from other European countries could have local origins.

The genetic analysis of wild grapevine from Spain and cultivars from European countries showed the partition in wild and cultivated forms from that region. The STRUCTURE anal‐ ysis identifies two genetic groups (clusters C1 and C2) which included all the wild acces‐ sions from Spain and correspond to Northern and Southern populations and two other (C3 and C4) including the majority of the analyzed cultivars (Figure 4). The existence of two ge‐ netic groups within the wild accessions suggests some level of isolation among those genetic lineages. One possible scenario to generate such structure is that it derives from the isolation created by the last Pleistocene glaciations. As reviewed by Gomez and Lunt (2006), the frag‐ mented nature of the Iberian Peninsula habitat favored the occurrence of multiple glacial refugees isolated from each other. Phylogeographic studies of different European species such as olive trees have shown the existence of strong genetic differentiation within the Iber‐ ian Peninsula (Belaj *et al*. 2007). Alternatively, these two genetic groups could represent dif‐ ferent colonization events of the Iberian Peninsula by the species *Vitis vinifera* L. what could have taken place following Northern (the Pyrynees) and Southern pathways (Gibraltar). The common chlorotype A identified both in Western Europe and Northern Africa (Arroyo-Gar‐ cia *et al.* 2006) seems to suggest a single common origin for all the ancestral populations fa‐ voring the first hypothesis. Alternatively, we cannot discard that part of the moderate genetic differentiation observed between the two genetic groups could result from their dif‐ ferent history of relationship with the cultivated forms. In fact, we have found a high num‐ ber of wild genotypes from Southern group showing high ancestry values of clusters C3 and C4 that mainly group cultivated forms of grapevine. In the same direction, we found higher genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.13) between cluster 1 (Northern group) and the analyzed cul‐ tivars than between cluster 2 (Southern group; Fst =0.07) and the analyzed cultivars. On the other hand, genetic differentiation between clusters 1 and 2 would be reduced by the exis‐ tence of gene flow between both genetic groups, what seems to be suggested by the pres‐ ence of some genotypes showing high ancestry values from both genetic clusters.

Two different genetic clusters could also be detected within the analyzed cultivars although showing very low genetic differentiation (Fst=0.0048). This low genetic differentiation would result from the high level of gene flow between grapevine cultivars. Myles *et al*., (2011) have proposed that the genetic structure of the vinifera cultivars represents a large complex pedigree resulting from a number of spontaneous and inter-generation crosses be‐ tween cultivars that have been vegetatively propagated for centuries. Still within this com‐ plex pedigree structure, it could be possible to distinguish different groups of more strongly related cultivars that would vary depending on the set of cultivars analyzed. In this case, an analysis of cluster 3 and 4 identified mainly Iberian cultivars as having higher ancestry in genetic cluster 3 and central European cultivars and Northern Iberian cultivars as having higher ancestry in genetic cluster 4.

Interestingly, the analyses of the ancestry values showed by analyzed cultivars identify some of them with a high ancestry value of cluster 1 and cluster 2. These grapevine cultivars correspond to the Spanish cultivars; Allarén, Benedicto, Listan Negro, Malvasia de Lanzar‐ ote and Malvasia Blanca and the European cultivars Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Pinot Meunier and Sangiovese. These cultivars have been described as more closely related to wild accessions (This *et al*., 2006) or are considered autochthonous cultivars. Therefore, these results support the existence of introgression from Western wild forms of *Vitis vinifera* in the pedigree of some of the current Western European cultivars. Finally, the genetic differentia‐ tion observed between wild and cultivated forms of grapevine in the Iberian Peninsula point out the interest to characterize and conserved that the existent Western populations as a source of novel alleles for the future understanding and improvement of the genetics of grapevine cultivated forms.

The genetic analysis of wild grapevine from Spain and cultivars from European countries showed the partition in wild and cultivated forms from that region. The STRUCTURE anal‐ ysis identifies two genetic groups (clusters C1 and C2) which included all the wild acces‐ sions from Spain and correspond to Northern and Southern populations and two other (C3 and C4) including the majority of the analyzed cultivars (Figure 4). The existence of two ge‐ netic groups within the wild accessions suggests some level of isolation among those genetic lineages. One possible scenario to generate such structure is that it derives from the isolation created by the last Pleistocene glaciations. As reviewed by Gomez and Lunt (2006), the frag‐ mented nature of the Iberian Peninsula habitat favored the occurrence of multiple glacial refugees isolated from each other. Phylogeographic studies of different European species such as olive trees have shown the existence of strong genetic differentiation within the Iber‐ ian Peninsula (Belaj *et al*. 2007). Alternatively, these two genetic groups could represent dif‐ ferent colonization events of the Iberian Peninsula by the species *Vitis vinifera* L. what could have taken place following Northern (the Pyrynees) and Southern pathways (Gibraltar). The common chlorotype A identified both in Western Europe and Northern Africa (Arroyo-Gar‐ cia *et al.* 2006) seems to suggest a single common origin for all the ancestral populations fa‐ voring the first hypothesis. Alternatively, we cannot discard that part of the moderate genetic differentiation observed between the two genetic groups could result from their dif‐ ferent history of relationship with the cultivated forms. In fact, we have found a high num‐ ber of wild genotypes from Southern group showing high ancestry values of clusters C3 and C4 that mainly group cultivated forms of grapevine. In the same direction, we found higher genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.13) between cluster 1 (Northern group) and the analyzed cul‐ tivars than between cluster 2 (Southern group; Fst =0.07) and the analyzed cultivars. On the other hand, genetic differentiation between clusters 1 and 2 would be reduced by the exis‐ tence of gene flow between both genetic groups, what seems to be suggested by the pres‐

ence of some genotypes showing high ancestry values from both genetic clusters.

higher ancestry in genetic cluster 4.

60 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Two different genetic clusters could also be detected within the analyzed cultivars although showing very low genetic differentiation (Fst=0.0048). This low genetic differentiation would result from the high level of gene flow between grapevine cultivars. Myles *et al*., (2011) have proposed that the genetic structure of the vinifera cultivars represents a large complex pedigree resulting from a number of spontaneous and inter-generation crosses be‐ tween cultivars that have been vegetatively propagated for centuries. Still within this com‐ plex pedigree structure, it could be possible to distinguish different groups of more strongly related cultivars that would vary depending on the set of cultivars analyzed. In this case, an analysis of cluster 3 and 4 identified mainly Iberian cultivars as having higher ancestry in genetic cluster 3 and central European cultivars and Northern Iberian cultivars as having

Interestingly, the analyses of the ancestry values showed by analyzed cultivars identify some of them with a high ancestry value of cluster 1 and cluster 2. These grapevine cultivars correspond to the Spanish cultivars; Allarén, Benedicto, Listan Negro, Malvasia de Lanzar‐ ote and Malvasia Blanca and the European cultivars Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Pinot Meunier and Sangiovese. These cultivars have been described as more closely related to

**Figure 4.** Graphical representation of ancestry membership coefficients of all individuals analyzed (Cultivated and wild grapevine from Spain). Each individual is shown as a vertical line divided into segments representing the estimat‐ ed membership proportions in the two and four ancestral genetic clusters inferred with STRUCTURE. Individuals within each cluster are arranged according to estimated cluster membership proportions. (Bottom) Number of individuals and the mean membership fractions in the four genetic clusters.

In conclusion, molecular marker analysis have shown clear divergence between wild and cultivated grapes and low level of introgression (Grassi *et al*. 2003, Ergul *et al.* 2011, Andres et al. 2012), but they are still connected through gene-flow (Regner *et al.* 2000, Lopes *et al.* 2009). Some studies (Grassi *et al.* 2003, Arroyo-García *et al.* 2006, Lopes *et al*. 2009; Andres *et al*., 2012) have reported the possibility of multiple domestication events in different geo‐ graphic locations in the origin of cultivated grape. The several geographic sources of wild and cultivated grapes, supports at least two separate domestication events that gave raise to cultivated grape; one derived from the wild grape from Transcaucasia, and another from the wild grape of southern European and North African origin. Probably, with wider represen‐ tation of wild grape, one may be able to demonstrate the multiple domestication events sup‐ porting diffused center of domestication of cultivated grape.

#### **6. Wild grapes as phytogenetic resource**

Genetic erosion was perceived as global scale problem in the middle of the twentieth centu‐ ry. It was found out that the introduction of new grapevine cultivars had rapidly displaced the varieties traditionally cultivated resulting in great uniformity of cultivated crops. There‐ fore, the genetic diversity of those species became alarmingly scarce. This situation led to the implementation of measures for the conservation of plant genetic resources. In the vine, as in other crops, genetic erosion or loss of variability is occurring. That is, it is reducing dan‐ gerously agrobiodiversity, the genetic base on which natural selection acts, increasing dra‐ matically the vulnerability of different cultivars to new environmental changes or the appearance of new pests and diseases (Ocete *et al*., 2007). It should be noted that the wild forms contain diversity for ongoing feedback to relatives (This *et al.,* 2006). These plant ge‐ netic resources are generally not a material that is exploitable in a direct way, but it can be used in plant breeding, because wild populations still conserves an overall important genet‐ ic diversity (Grassi *et al*., 2003). This rich genetic pool can be used to avoid the loss of biodi‐ versity affecting the current viticulture. Indeed, the number of allowed cultivars has been reduced to the detriment of several traditional minority varieties. Some international culti‐ vars, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shyrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and so on are being planted in vineyards of all over the world. At the same time, only few numbers of clones from each cultivar are available (Ocete *et al.,* 2004). These facts contribute to a great extent to speed up the problem of genetic erosion in modern viticulture and mainly lead to increase a risk of rapid propagation of new devastating pests and diseases. Some interesting characteristics of wild plants can be transferred throughout the breeding to cultivars suita‐ ble of wine making, table grapes and also rootstocks.

Genetic resources in *V. vinifera* are likely limited to only several thousand genotypes in germplasm stock centers or in endangered wild populations. Inter-fertility between species of the genus *Vitis* opens the genetic variation available for breeding across the whole genus. Considering the relevance of genetic resources for the future of the crop and their current scarcity, major efforts should be dedicated to the collection and characterization of the exist‐ ing resources in the species and the genus. Genomic tools and information can help to rapid‐ ly generate genotypic information; however, collection of phenotypic data requires more careful characterization at morphological, biochemical, physiological or pathological and en‐ vironmental response levels. Open databases with these phenotypic and genotypic data are required as well as more efficient ways to store and exchange biological materials represent‐ ing all the available genetic diversity.

Together with the genetic variation characterized in the population screened in European countries could be interesting to generate a collection of genotypes that can still represent part of the existent natural genetic variation of the species. This collection could be pheno‐ type in different environments and these genetic tools could be the basis for further studies to establish the relationship between phenotypic variation and nucleotide diversity in grape‐ vine. Understanding grapevine natural genetic variation will help the improvement and breeding of grapevine cultivars.

### **7. Phenotypic characterization of wild grapevine populations**

**6. Wild grapes as phytogenetic resource**

62 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

ble of wine making, table grapes and also rootstocks.

ing all the available genetic diversity.

breeding of grapevine cultivars.

Genetic erosion was perceived as global scale problem in the middle of the twentieth centu‐ ry. It was found out that the introduction of new grapevine cultivars had rapidly displaced the varieties traditionally cultivated resulting in great uniformity of cultivated crops. There‐ fore, the genetic diversity of those species became alarmingly scarce. This situation led to the implementation of measures for the conservation of plant genetic resources. In the vine, as in other crops, genetic erosion or loss of variability is occurring. That is, it is reducing dan‐ gerously agrobiodiversity, the genetic base on which natural selection acts, increasing dra‐ matically the vulnerability of different cultivars to new environmental changes or the appearance of new pests and diseases (Ocete *et al*., 2007). It should be noted that the wild forms contain diversity for ongoing feedback to relatives (This *et al.,* 2006). These plant ge‐ netic resources are generally not a material that is exploitable in a direct way, but it can be used in plant breeding, because wild populations still conserves an overall important genet‐ ic diversity (Grassi *et al*., 2003). This rich genetic pool can be used to avoid the loss of biodi‐ versity affecting the current viticulture. Indeed, the number of allowed cultivars has been reduced to the detriment of several traditional minority varieties. Some international culti‐ vars, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shyrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and so on are being planted in vineyards of all over the world. At the same time, only few numbers of clones from each cultivar are available (Ocete *et al.,* 2004). These facts contribute to a great extent to speed up the problem of genetic erosion in modern viticulture and mainly lead to increase a risk of rapid propagation of new devastating pests and diseases. Some interesting characteristics of wild plants can be transferred throughout the breeding to cultivars suita‐

Genetic resources in *V. vinifera* are likely limited to only several thousand genotypes in germplasm stock centers or in endangered wild populations. Inter-fertility between species of the genus *Vitis* opens the genetic variation available for breeding across the whole genus. Considering the relevance of genetic resources for the future of the crop and their current scarcity, major efforts should be dedicated to the collection and characterization of the exist‐ ing resources in the species and the genus. Genomic tools and information can help to rapid‐ ly generate genotypic information; however, collection of phenotypic data requires more careful characterization at morphological, biochemical, physiological or pathological and en‐ vironmental response levels. Open databases with these phenotypic and genotypic data are required as well as more efficient ways to store and exchange biological materials represent‐

Together with the genetic variation characterized in the population screened in European countries could be interesting to generate a collection of genotypes that can still represent part of the existent natural genetic variation of the species. This collection could be pheno‐ type in different environments and these genetic tools could be the basis for further studies to establish the relationship between phenotypic variation and nucleotide diversity in grape‐ vine. Understanding grapevine natural genetic variation will help the improvement and

The analysis of large sets of genetic resources at the morphological level has not been inten‐ sive. One of the reasons might be the complexity of the methods available so far or the fact that phenotyping grape is expensive, time consuming and requires a lot of space. Most of the work in the past years has been devoted to the development of methods for many traits from composition of berries to disease resistance and abiotic stresses tolerance but develop‐ ment of rapid methods and non-destructives ones should still be a priority in order to speed up the analysis of genetic resources.

#### **7.1. Enological characterization of wild grapevine populations from Spain**

The anthocyanin composition of female grape accessions, mostly Spanish, preserved at El Encin Germoplasm Bank (Madrid, Spain) was analysed during several years. After the ex‐ traction from grape skins, total anthocyans were determined by spectrophotometry, and the anthocyanin fingerprint of grapes by HPLC, considering the relative amount of 15 anthocya‐ nins (Revilla *et al*., 2010). Some typical chromatograms are shown in Figure 5.

The anthocyanin fingerprint of grapes revealed the presence of three types of accessions (Revilla *et al*., 2010; Revilla *et al*., 2011). In the first group (23 accessions), grapes did not con‐ tain acylated anthocyanins (Revilla *et al*., 2012). This character is unusual in cultivated grapevines, occurring primarily in Pinot noir and its mutants (Wenzel *et al*., 1987, Mattivi *et al*., 2007) and in some grey and rosé cultivars that may be mutants of red grapes (e.g., Pinot gris) or white grapes (e.g., Muscat Rouge de Madere). To our knowledge, this type of antho‐ cyanin fingerprint has not been described in grape cultivars usually considered of Spanish origin (García-Beneytez *et al*., 2002, Pomar *et al*., 2005, Gómez-Alonso *et al*., 2007). In the sec‐ ond group (17 accessions), grapes contained acylated anthocyanins and a high proportion of cyanidin-derived monoglucosides. This character is rare in cultivated grapevines, although it has been reported and was observed in 12 cultivars among the 64 studied (Mattivi *et al*., 2007). Most were grey or rosé cultivars, or even mutants of white cultivars (e.g., Gewürztra‐ miner). To our knowledge, this anthocyanin fingerprint is rare in grape cultivars usually considered of Spanish origin, with Brancellao as the most remarkable exception (Pomar *et al*., 2005). In the third group (86 accessions), grapes contained acylated anthocyanins and a large proportion of delphinidin-derived monoglucosides, as do most grapevine cultivars (Wenzel *et al*., 1987, García-Beneytez *et al*., 2002, Pomar *et al*., 2005, Mattivi *et al*., 2007). In most of these accessions (53), *p*-coumarylated derivatives were more abundant than acety‐ lated derivatives. This character is quite common in red cultivars usually considered as Spanish (e.g., Garnacha and Tempranillo), as described previously (García-Beneytez *et al*., 2002). On the other hand, acetylated anthocyanins were more abundant than *p*-coumarylat‐ ed derivatives in 33 accessions. This character is well documented in several French culti‐ vars (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot), but is rare in Spanish cultivars. Among the Spanish cultivars commonly grown, only Mencía presents this type of fingerprint (García-Beneytez *et al*. 2002, Pomar *et al*. 2005).

**Figure 5.** Chromatograms at 520 nm for grape skins extracts of four different wild grapevine accessions: LE-1.2.08, CA-6.1.08, CA-4.1.08, and CA-10.3.08. Peak 1, DpGl; 2, CyGl; 3, PtGl; 4, PnGl; 5, MvGl; 6, DpGlAc; 7, CyGlAc; 8, PtGlAc; 9, DpGlCm; 10, PnGlAc; 11, MvGlAc; 12, MvGlCf; 13, PtGlCm; 14, PnGlCm; 15, MvGlCm.

Nevertheless, the intensity of acylation is quite variable in this group of accessions, and in about 30% of them the proportion of acylated derivatives is <15%, revealing that the expres‐ sion of genes involved in the acylation of anthocyanins is quite variable among the accessions.

Results obtained by two-factor ANOVA (accession and year) of the 15 variables used to de‐ scribe the anthocyanin fingerprint of grapes, using a group of 21 accessions sampled during three consecutive years, suggest that variations in the anthocyanin profile among wild grape accessions were more important than differences among years for a given accession (Revilla *et al.*, 2010). Weather conditions affect to some extent the relative proportion of primitive an‐ thocyanins (DpGl and CyGl) and of some acylated derivatives. Similar results were obtained previously in studies with cultivated varieties (Ryan and Revilla 2003, Revilla *et al*., 2009). Variance component analysis confirmed that the factor *accession* contributed to variance more than the factor *year*, except for MvGlCf. Moreover, the factor *year* is relevant for primi‐ tive anthocyanins (DpGl and CyGl) and MvGl. The influence of year may be related to data on Tempranillo wines, which show different amounts of DpGl when grapes were grown in different environments, but collected at similar stages of ripening and made into wine with the same technology (Revilla *et al*., 2005).

In conclusion, the maintenance of genetic variability and the phenotypic characterization within wild grape populations has become a priority primarily due to the concurrent risks of increased human impact on flood-plain areas and the spread of new pests. Fragmentation of species habitat will reduce both the number and size of the population, and decrease the genetic variation within populations. So the existence of different genetic pools within this population is remarkable and the conservation of this germplasm becoming more interest‐ ing. This population, as the rest situated in Spain, has not a specific preservation statute. It is necessary to take into account that Spain is the country with the largest area of vineyards all over the world, and it is affected by a heavy process of genetic erosion (Ocete *et al.* 2007). In consequence, there is an urgent need to bring this material that could be propagated to nurs‐ eries for use in the restoration of riparian forests and undertake breeding programs of culti‐ vars and rootstocks. Particularly, the low incidence of pests and diseases is remarkable, the high acidity of the wines and their high intensity of color total, interesting characteristics can be transferred by crossing with cultivars from Mediterranean areas. On the other hand, the immersion tolerance, absence of rot root and symptoms caused by nematodes could be in‐ teresting for obtaining new rootstocks, hybriding with traditional rootstocks, especially when many vineyards have fertirrigation or are planted on clayey soils under a rainy cli‐ mate, as it was indicated by Ocete *et al* (2010). These phenotypic data will be used to incor‐ porate the wild populations found to the European Vitis Data Base, according to the postulates of the COST Action FA-1003 of Viticulture (EU).

#### **Acknowledgements**

**Figure 5.** Chromatograms at 520 nm for grape skins extracts of four different wild grapevine accessions: LE-1.2.08, CA-6.1.08, CA-4.1.08, and CA-10.3.08. Peak 1, DpGl; 2, CyGl; 3, PtGl; 4, PnGl; 5, MvGl; 6, DpGlAc; 7, CyGlAc; 8, PtGlAc;

9, DpGlCm; 10, PnGlAc; 11, MvGlAc; 12, MvGlCf; 13, PtGlCm; 14, PnGlCm; 15, MvGlCm.

64 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Part of the work described in this chapter was funded by the grant number RTA2008-00032- C02-01 and the grant number RTA2011-00029-C02-01. We are grateful to Rafael Ocete and Osvaldo Failla for their collaboration in the COST Action FA1003 and for sharing their ex‐ pertise in wild grapevine.

#### **Author details**

Rosa A. Arroyo García1 and Eugenio Revilla2

\*Address all correspondence to: rarroyo@inia.es

1 CBGP-INIA Campus de Montegancedo. Autovía Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain

2 Departamento de Química Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Ma‐ drid, Madrid, Spain

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Rosa A. Arroyo García1

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## **Inter- and Intra-Varietal Genetic Variability in** *Vitis vinifera* **L.**

Stefano Meneghetti, Luigi Bavaresco, Antonio Calò and Angelo Costacurta

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/52847

#### **1. Introduction**

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can Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 61:1.

Grapevine (*Vitis vinifera* L.) is the most economically important and widely cultivated fruit crop in the world and it is one of the oldest crops and the only Mediterranean representative of the *Vitis* genus (Clarke, 2001; Mullins, 1992; Galet, 2000). Its domestication produced culti‐ vars suited to a wide diversity of climates and tastes (Levadoux, 1956; Royo, 1997). In effect this genus shows a wide morphological and genetic variability that is causing confusions and ambiguity for biotypes and clones identification, in particular considering varieties that are widely distributed and cultivated for centuries (Tessier, 1999). Ampelography, ampel‐ ometry, and biochemical traits analysis have been traditionally employed to identify the dif‐ ferent biotypes in viticulture (Galet, 1979; Calò & Costacurta, 2004). However, these analyses are based on phenotypic characteristics which can be affected by environmental conditions (Meneghetti, 2011).

The DNA molecular analyses are essential for internationally accepted grapevine identifica‐ tion and the investigation of genetic differences among the *Vitis vinifera* L. clones (Meneghet‐ ti, 2009). Methods based on DNA analysis have been used with varying degrees of success. This might be affected by the variability level of examined grape varieties and by the types of markers systems employed to investigate genetic relationships.

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are universally used for the identification of the grape varieties (This, 2004). Di-nucleotide repeats pose some problems for stuttering, adja‐ cent alleles, and binning and a possible SSR development was proposed by using microsa‐ tellites with a longer core repeat (Cipriani, 2010).

© 2013 Meneghetti et al.; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Meneghetti et al.; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The molecular approaches are also essential for internationally accepted grapevine identifi‐ cation and to investigate the genetic inter- and intra-varietal variability. Molecular markers have been used on *Vitis vinifera* in several studies to distinguish among clones of the same cultivars as RAPD random amplified polymorphic DNA, PCR specific analysis ISSR (intermicrosatellites), SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism), S-SAP (specific sequence amplified polymorphism), IRAP (inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism), REMAP (retro‐ transposon microsatellite amplified polymorphism), M-SAP (methylsensitive amplified length polymorphism), chloroplast DNA polymorphisms, SSCP (single-strand conformation polymorphism) (Moreno, 1995; Bavaresco, 2000; Imazio, 2002; Owens, 2003; Labra, 2004; D'onofrio, 2009).

A molecular strategy to obtain DNA polymorphisms of *Vitis vinifera* genotypes from the same cultivar to study the intra- and inter- varietal genetic variability, to discriminate acces‐ sions, clones, and biotypes of a same grape variety, and to analyze the relationships between molecular profiles and some environmental parameters (i.e., geographic site) or morpholog‐ ical traits was reported by Meneghetti et al. (2012a; 2012b; 2012c). This approach uses four different molecular marker systems (i.e., AFLP amplified fragment length polymorphism, SAMPL selective amplification of microsatellite polymorphic loci, M-AFLP microsatellites amplified fragment length polymorphism, and ISSR inter simple sequence repeat).

**Figure 1.** Example of Di-nucleotide SSR profile of Sagrantino cultivar generated by the 3130XL capillary sequencer at eight loci using different fluorochromes. The peaks indicate the alleles and its size on *Vitis vinifera* SSR BinSet (Mene‐ ghetti, 2012c).

#### **2. Grapevine cultivar identification**

The molecular approaches are also essential for internationally accepted grapevine identifi‐ cation and to investigate the genetic inter- and intra-varietal variability. Molecular markers have been used on *Vitis vinifera* in several studies to distinguish among clones of the same cultivars as RAPD random amplified polymorphic DNA, PCR specific analysis ISSR (intermicrosatellites), SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism), S-SAP (specific sequence amplified polymorphism), IRAP (inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism), REMAP (retro‐ transposon microsatellite amplified polymorphism), M-SAP (methylsensitive amplified length polymorphism), chloroplast DNA polymorphisms, SSCP (single-strand conformation polymorphism) (Moreno, 1995; Bavaresco, 2000; Imazio, 2002; Owens, 2003; Labra, 2004;

A molecular strategy to obtain DNA polymorphisms of *Vitis vinifera* genotypes from the same cultivar to study the intra- and inter- varietal genetic variability, to discriminate acces‐ sions, clones, and biotypes of a same grape variety, and to analyze the relationships between molecular profiles and some environmental parameters (i.e., geographic site) or morpholog‐ ical traits was reported by Meneghetti et al. (2012a; 2012b; 2012c). This approach uses four different molecular marker systems (i.e., AFLP amplified fragment length polymorphism, SAMPL selective amplification of microsatellite polymorphic loci, M-AFLP microsatellites

**Figure 1.** Example of Di-nucleotide SSR profile of Sagrantino cultivar generated by the 3130XL capillary sequencer at eight loci using different fluorochromes. The peaks indicate the alleles and its size on *Vitis vinifera* SSR BinSet (Mene‐

amplified fragment length polymorphism, and ISSR inter simple sequence repeat).

D'onofrio, 2009).

74 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

ghetti, 2012c).

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are universally used for the identification of the grape varieties (Figure 1). Microsatellites consist of tandemly repeated simple sequence mo‐ tifs with a high variation in repeat number among individuals. Applications of microsatel‐ lite markers include not only cultivar identification but also parentage testing, pedigree reconstruction and studies of population structure.

A strategy of grapevine cultivar identification is to analyze eleven di-nucleotide microsatel‐ lite loci as VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27, VVMD28, VrZAG62, VrZAG79, VMC6E1, VMC6F1, VMC6G1 and VMCNG4b9 (Meneghetti, 2012c). PCR reaction mixture at 11 loci was performed by the workstations using SSR forward labeled primers with 6FAM, VIC, NED and PET dyes, and SSR reverse primers unlabeled each at 5 pmol/µl (Applied Biosys‐ tems). The PCR was performed in a GeneAmp PCR System 9700 (Applied Biosystems) and SSR polymorphisms were resolved on an ABI-3130XL capillary sequencer (Applied Biosys‐ tems) using GeneMapper version 4.1 (Applied Biosystems) with a *Vitis vinifera* microsatellite BinSet of 11 SSR standard loci. The important molecular polymorphisms were checked by the Sequi-Gen GT Sequencing Cell electrophoresis (Biorad) (Meneghetti, 2012a).

**Figure 2.** Examples of microsatellites with a longer core repeat in grapevine with the locus name and their position on *Vitis vinifera* genome (Meneghetti, 2012c).

#### **3. Inter-varietal genetic variability**

The genus *Vitis* is characterized by great morphological and genetic variability. It is necessa‐ ry to increase the number of SSR loci used for cultivars identification to analyze the genetic inter-varietal variability by SSR polymorphisms in *Vitis*. For example: analyzing other mi‐ crosatellite markers as VVS1, VVS29, VVMD8, VVMD17, VVMD21, VVMD24, VVMD25, VVMD26, VVMD32, VVMD36, VrZAG47, VrZAG64, VrZAG83, VMC6E4, VMC6H6, VMC1E12, VMC4G6, VMC2H9, VMC2A5, VMC3D7, VMC2G2, VMC6E10 (Bowers, 1999). It is also possible to use the microsatellite primers with a longer core repeat (Cipriani, 2010) (Figure 2) or different molecular markers as M-AFLP (Figure 3).

**Figure 3.** Examples of molecular polymorphisms of Schiava grossa, Raboso veronese, Primitivo, Aleatico and Sanvice‐ tro grape cultivars by M-AFLP technique.

Genetic dissimilarity of SSR (GD) estimates between grapevine cultivars (inter-varietal ge‐ netic variability) were calculated by using the following formula:

GDij = - ln (PS)

PS is the percentage of common microsatellite alleles within the i and j genotypes, according to Dangl (2001).

Dendrogram was produced by the Unweighted Pair-Group Arithmetic Average Method (UPGMA) clustering algorithm and the Numerical Taxonomy and Multivariate Analysis System (NTSYS-pc) Version 2.10 (Exeter Software Co., NY, USA).

In particular for grapevine SSR variability, an additional study was performed by the BAND Genetic Similarity (GS) coefficient of Lynch (1990) used for SSR data in diploid genomes ac‐ cording to the following formula:

GSij = Nij/(Ni - Nj)

Nij is the number of bands in common, Ni and Nj are the numbers of bands in the two indi‐ viduals (i and j) being compared. Thus, GSij = 1 indicates the identity between i and j, whereas GSij = 0 indicates complete diversity. A pair of diploid individuals can have 0, 1, or 2 bands in common at each SSR locus. Dendrogram of the analyses were constructed from the symmetrical GS BAND matrix (NTSYS-pc).

inter-varietal variability by SSR polymorphisms in *Vitis*. For example: analyzing other mi‐ crosatellite markers as VVS1, VVS29, VVMD8, VVMD17, VVMD21, VVMD24, VVMD25, VVMD26, VVMD32, VVMD36, VrZAG47, VrZAG64, VrZAG83, VMC6E4, VMC6H6, VMC1E12, VMC4G6, VMC2H9, VMC2A5, VMC3D7, VMC2G2, VMC6E10 (Bowers, 1999). It is also possible to use the microsatellite primers with a longer core repeat (Cipriani, 2010)

**Figure 3.** Examples of molecular polymorphisms of Schiava grossa, Raboso veronese, Primitivo, Aleatico and Sanvice‐

Genetic dissimilarity of SSR (GD) estimates between grapevine cultivars (inter-varietal ge‐

PS is the percentage of common microsatellite alleles within the i and j genotypes, according

Dendrogram was produced by the Unweighted Pair-Group Arithmetic Average Method (UPGMA) clustering algorithm and the Numerical Taxonomy and Multivariate Analysis

In particular for grapevine SSR variability, an additional study was performed by the BAND Genetic Similarity (GS) coefficient of Lynch (1990) used for SSR data in diploid genomes ac‐

Nij is the number of bands in common, Ni and Nj are the numbers of bands in the two indi‐ viduals (i and j) being compared. Thus, GSij = 1 indicates the identity between i and j,

(Figure 2) or different molecular markers as M-AFLP (Figure 3).

76 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

netic variability) were calculated by using the following formula:

System (NTSYS-pc) Version 2.10 (Exeter Software Co., NY, USA).

tro grape cultivars by M-AFLP technique.

cording to the following formula:

GDij = - ln (PS)

to Dangl (2001).

GSij = Nij/(Ni - Nj)

An example of these molecular analyses can be explained by the grape Malvasia family. The name Malvasia has ancient origins and refers to a numerous and heterogeneous group of vari‐ eties growing in many European countries. Malvasias is spread in Italy from north to south and seventeen Malvasia cultivars are registered in the Italian National Catalogue (Calò & Cos‐ tacurta, 2004). There are few Malvasia varieties with black berries, mostly grown in the North-Western Italian region of Piedmont (i.e., Malvasia di Casorzo, Malvasia nera lunga and Malvasia di Schierano). Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce contributes to the Salento oenological production in the southern Italian region of Apulia (Lacombe, 2007; Crespan, 2006).

**Figure 4.** Dendrogram of ten Malvasia cultivars (i.e., Istrian Malvasia, M. delle Lipari, M. bianca di Candia, M. di Candia Aromatica, M. del Lazio, M. Bianca lunga / M. del Chianti, M. nera di Brindisi/Lecce, M. di Casorzo, M. di Schierano, M. nera di Bolzano) and 19 grapevine varieties (i.e., Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling Renano, Garganega, Primitivo, Plavac Mali, Aglianicone, Cannonau, Gellewsa, Gennarua, Girgentina, Calabr‐ ese / Nero d'Avola), Moscato Bianco, Moscato di Alessandria / Zibibbo, Raboso Piave, Raboso Veronese, Sultanina) based on Dangl's Genetic Dissimilarity (Meneghetti, 2012b).

Figure 4 reports a dendrogram of Malvasia cultivars by SSR molecular polymorphisms. The Malvasia cultivars were divided into three distinct groups: Istrian Malvasia was grouped with Riesling Renano and Chardonnay without the other Malvasias (cluster A). Sultanina was an out-group. The dendrogram showed clearly the genetic divergence of Malvasias family detected using only the SSR approach, in agreement with Calò and Costacurta 2005. The cluster analysis allowed to distinguish some variety groups cultivated in neighboring geographical regions: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardon‐ nay from France; Malvasia bianca di Candia and M. del Lazio from Central Italy; Primitivo and Aglianicone from Apulia region (Southern Italy); Nero d'Avola and Malvasia delle Li‐ pari from Sicily region (Southern Italy); Malvasia di Casorzo and M. di Schierano from Pied‐ mont region (Northern Italy); Raboso Piave and R. Veronese from Veneto region (Northern Italy); Gellewsa, Gennarua, and Girgentina from Malta. The Istrian Malvasia was positioned in the A group, while Malvasia bianca di Candia, M. del Lazio, M. Bianca lunga (also known as M. del Chianti), M. nera di Brindisi/Lecce and M. delle Lipari accessions were clustered in the B group and M. di Casorzo, M. di Schierano, and M. nera di Bolzano in the C group.

The ten Malvasias shown in Figure 5 were further analyzed by Genetic Similarity BAND co‐ efficient using the microsatellite polymorphisms. The dendrogram of Malvasias in Fig. 5 showed the grouping of the Malvasia as in dendrogram in Fig. 4. In fact, Malvasia bianca di Candia, M. del Lazio, M. Bianca lunga, M. nera di Brindisi/Lecce, and M. delle Lipari were clustered into B group while M. di Casorzo, M. di Schierano, and M. nera di Bolzano were grouped into the C group, while the Istrian Malvasia is positioned between the two main groups (Meneghetti, 2012b).

**Figure 5.** Dendrogram of ten Malvasias cultivars obtained using the Genetic Similarity BAND coefficient. The Genetic Dissimilarity analyses (Fig. 4) were confirmed by this approach and the three subgroups (A, B and C) were showed also in this dendrogram with Istrian Malvasia positioned between the two main groups (Meneghetti, 2012b).

#### **4. Intra-varietal genetic variability**

was an out-group. The dendrogram showed clearly the genetic divergence of Malvasias family detected using only the SSR approach, in agreement with Calò and Costacurta 2005. The cluster analysis allowed to distinguish some variety groups cultivated in neighboring geographical regions: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardon‐ nay from France; Malvasia bianca di Candia and M. del Lazio from Central Italy; Primitivo and Aglianicone from Apulia region (Southern Italy); Nero d'Avola and Malvasia delle Li‐ pari from Sicily region (Southern Italy); Malvasia di Casorzo and M. di Schierano from Pied‐ mont region (Northern Italy); Raboso Piave and R. Veronese from Veneto region (Northern Italy); Gellewsa, Gennarua, and Girgentina from Malta. The Istrian Malvasia was positioned in the A group, while Malvasia bianca di Candia, M. del Lazio, M. Bianca lunga (also known as M. del Chianti), M. nera di Brindisi/Lecce and M. delle Lipari accessions were clustered in the B group and M. di Casorzo, M. di Schierano, and M. nera di Bolzano in the C group.

The ten Malvasias shown in Figure 5 were further analyzed by Genetic Similarity BAND co‐ efficient using the microsatellite polymorphisms. The dendrogram of Malvasias in Fig. 5 showed the grouping of the Malvasia as in dendrogram in Fig. 4. In fact, Malvasia bianca di Candia, M. del Lazio, M. Bianca lunga, M. nera di Brindisi/Lecce, and M. delle Lipari were clustered into B group while M. di Casorzo, M. di Schierano, and M. nera di Bolzano were grouped into the C group, while the Istrian Malvasia is positioned between the two main

**Figure 5.** Dendrogram of ten Malvasias cultivars obtained using the Genetic Similarity BAND coefficient. The Genetic Dissimilarity analyses (Fig. 4) were confirmed by this approach and the three subgroups (A, B and C) were showed also

in this dendrogram with Istrian Malvasia positioned between the two main groups (Meneghetti, 2012b).

groups (Meneghetti, 2012b).

78 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The genetic variability of accessions from the same grape cultivar can be investigated by means of AFLP, SAMPL, M-AFLP and ISSR molecular markers according to Meneghetti et al. (2012c).

The AFLP, SAMPL and M-AFLP analyses were performed using a Cy5-labeled EcoRI+3 (or PstI+2) primer and an unlabeled MseI+3 primer (three selective nucleotides). The amplifica‐ tion products were resolved on ReproGel High-Resolution pre-made acrylamide–bisacryla‐ mide solutions (8% w/v) (GE Healthcare) in modified TBE buffer and detected on a semiautomated DNA sequencer, the ALFexpress-II DNA Analysis System (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). Markers were visualized automatically by the ALF-win Fragment Anal‐ yses 1.09 software and checked by Quantity One 4.6.7 and PD Quest Basic 8.0.1 software (Bi‐ orad) (Meneghetti, 2011).

The Inter-microsatellite analysis was performed using the PCR protocol reported by Mene‐ ghetti et al. 2012a, with minor changes. ISSR experiment were carried out using the same procedure of AFLP.

A binary presence or absence (1 *vs*. 0) matrix was created for AFLP, SAMPL, M-AFLP and ISSR markers and for each grapevine accessions. Molecular markers were defined by a standard ladder using the ALF-win Fragment Analyses 1.09 software (Amersham Pharma‐ cia Biotech) and two reference DNA genotypes and visualized automatically by the ALFwin software. The scoring was checked by using Quantity One 4.6.7 and PD Quest Basic 8.0.1 software (Biorad) (Meneghetti, 2012c).

Genetic similarity (GS) estimates among individuals were calculated in all possible pairwise comparisons using the Dice's coefficient which was based on the probability that a marker from one accession will also be present in another and calculated using the follow‐ ing formula:

GSij = 2X/(2X + Y + Z)

X represents the number of shared amplification products scored between the pair of sam‐ ples/fingerprints (i and j) considered, Y is the number of products present in i but absent in j, Z is the number of products present in j but absent in i (Dice, 1945).

Thus, GSij = 1 indicates identity between i and j, whereas GSij = 0 indicates complete diversity.

GS was calculated within (GSW) and between (GSB) cultivars and marker systems (AFLP, SAMPL, M-AFLP).

The cluster analysis of GS was performed according to the UPGMA algorithm using the NTSYS software.

Centroids of the grapevine accessions were plotted on a 2-dimensional graph according to the principal coordinates extracted from the GS matrices estimated by the three molecular marker systems. All calculations and analyses were conducted using the appropriate rou‐ tines of the NTSYS Version 2.10 software.

The information content of each marker system in discriminating the accessions of the same variety was calculated using the marker index (Powell, 1996). The efficiency of dendrograms was tested by cophenetic correlation. The reliability of clusters was evaluated by the boot‐ strapping procedure using 100 random samples of molecular markers. The software used was PHYLIP 6.6 (http://evolution.genetics.washington.edu/phylip.html).

Hence it was reported and discussed using the molecular results of six grape cultivars (i.e., Garnacha tinta, Primitivo, Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce, Negroamaro, Malvasia di Candia and Istrian Malvasia) on a few different aspects: genetic similarity, genotypes discrimina‐ tion, biotypes discriminations and clones identification. There were correlations between geographic origins of materials and DNA fingerprinting plus relationships between mor‐ phological traits and molecular polymorphisms.

#### **4.1. Garnacha tinta**

Garnacha is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world (240,000 ha). It is known by local names in Mediterranean regions: Garnacha tinta and Grenache noir are the Spanish and French name, while in Italy this variety is known as Cannonao, Alicante, and Tocai rosso (three Italian synonymous) but also as Cannonau (Sardinia) and Gamay perugi‐ no (Tuscany) (Galet, 2000; Calò, 1990).

Fifty-three Garnacha accessions were investigated: 28 Italian accessions, 19 Spanish acces‐ sions, and 6 French accessions. The Italian accessions were 6 Tocai rosso from the Vicenza area, 8 Alicante from Sicily and Elba island, 4 Gamay perugino from Perugia province and 10 Cannonau from Sardinia. In order to verify the varietal identity, the analyses based on 11 SSR loci confirmed that only one SSR profile was obtained for the 53 accessions (Figure 6) (Meneghetti, 2011).

The study of intra-varietal genetic variability was performed using AFLP, SAMPL and M-AFLP molecular markers. The bi-dimensional plotting of centroids reported in Figure 6 showed six different groups: 1) Italian Alicante accessions from Sicily; 2) Italian Tocai rosso accessions from Vicenza area (Colli Berici); 3) Italian Gamay perugino accessions from Tus‐ cany and Umbria; 4) Spanish Garnacha accessions from Andalucia, Aragón, Cataluña, Cas‐ tilla y León, Madrid; 5) French Grenache noir accessions; 6) Italian Cannonau accessions from Sardinia. The first coordinate allowed to distinguish clearly Spanish, French and Italian accessions while the second one separated the 4 Italian geographic origins (Figure 6).

Genetic similarity of 53 Garnacha samples was calculated within groups (GSW) and also be‐ tween groups (GSB) (Meneghetti et al. 2012c). The PCA analysis confirmed the high genetic variability within Italian genotypes on the base of their provenance, on the contrary the 19 Spanish accessions were clustered in a more homogeneous group that showed a high genet‐ ic similarity (GSW= 0.9872).

marker systems. All calculations and analyses were conducted using the appropriate rou‐

The information content of each marker system in discriminating the accessions of the same variety was calculated using the marker index (Powell, 1996). The efficiency of dendrograms was tested by cophenetic correlation. The reliability of clusters was evaluated by the boot‐ strapping procedure using 100 random samples of molecular markers. The software used

Hence it was reported and discussed using the molecular results of six grape cultivars (i.e., Garnacha tinta, Primitivo, Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce, Negroamaro, Malvasia di Candia and Istrian Malvasia) on a few different aspects: genetic similarity, genotypes discrimina‐ tion, biotypes discriminations and clones identification. There were correlations between geographic origins of materials and DNA fingerprinting plus relationships between mor‐

Garnacha is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world (240,000 ha). It is known by local names in Mediterranean regions: Garnacha tinta and Grenache noir are the Spanish and French name, while in Italy this variety is known as Cannonao, Alicante, and Tocai rosso (three Italian synonymous) but also as Cannonau (Sardinia) and Gamay perugi‐

Fifty-three Garnacha accessions were investigated: 28 Italian accessions, 19 Spanish acces‐ sions, and 6 French accessions. The Italian accessions were 6 Tocai rosso from the Vicenza area, 8 Alicante from Sicily and Elba island, 4 Gamay perugino from Perugia province and 10 Cannonau from Sardinia. In order to verify the varietal identity, the analyses based on 11 SSR loci confirmed that only one SSR profile was obtained for the 53 accessions (Figure 6)

The study of intra-varietal genetic variability was performed using AFLP, SAMPL and M-AFLP molecular markers. The bi-dimensional plotting of centroids reported in Figure 6 showed six different groups: 1) Italian Alicante accessions from Sicily; 2) Italian Tocai rosso accessions from Vicenza area (Colli Berici); 3) Italian Gamay perugino accessions from Tus‐ cany and Umbria; 4) Spanish Garnacha accessions from Andalucia, Aragón, Cataluña, Cas‐ tilla y León, Madrid; 5) French Grenache noir accessions; 6) Italian Cannonau accessions from Sardinia. The first coordinate allowed to distinguish clearly Spanish, French and Italian

accessions while the second one separated the 4 Italian geographic origins (Figure 6).

Genetic similarity of 53 Garnacha samples was calculated within groups (GSW) and also be‐ tween groups (GSB) (Meneghetti et al. 2012c). The PCA analysis confirmed the high genetic variability within Italian genotypes on the base of their provenance, on the contrary the 19 Spanish accessions were clustered in a more homogeneous group that showed a high genet‐

was PHYLIP 6.6 (http://evolution.genetics.washington.edu/phylip.html).

tines of the NTSYS Version 2.10 software.

80 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

phological traits and molecular polymorphisms.

no (Tuscany) (Galet, 2000; Calò, 1990).

**4.1. Garnacha tinta**

(Meneghetti, 2011).

ic similarity (GSW= 0.9872).

**Figure 6.** Centroids of Garnacha tinta from Spain, Grenache noir from France, Alicante from Sicily (Italy), Tocai rosso from Vicenza area (Italy), Gamay perugino from Tuscany (Italy), Cannonao from Sardinia (Italy). The Genetic Similarity analyses were confirmed by this approach and the materials with same SSR profile were distinct according to the six geographic origins and the three Countries (Meneghetti, 2011).

The molecular approach discriminates all genotypes of this cultivar. Italian samples showed a high genetic variability within genotypes (GSW = 0.9481), while Spanish samples showed a high GS (GSW = 0.9872). GSW of Italian accessions (0.9481) was very similar to GSB (0.9480), but the four Italian origins are clearly separated by these molecular markers (Meneghetti, 2011).

AFLP, SAMPL, and M-AFLP were able to clearly distinguish the 53 Garnacha accessions from Italy, Spain, and France. The large number of molecular markers and their high degree of polymorphism make them important tools for many genetic studies.

Provenance-specific molecular polymorphisms were reported in Figure 7 and AFLP analy‐ ses shown in Figure 8.

**Figure 7.** Provenance-specific polymorphisms by SAMPL molecular markers obtained for the 10 Sardinian Cannonau (CAN-09/18) and six French Grenache (GRE-30/34) using Silver Staining technique. The first four line (09-12) corre‐ sponding to Cannonau from Jerzu (CAN-09/12) with a specific amplification product (Meneghetti, 2011).

**Figure 8.** An example of a digitalized electropherogram of the AFLP profiles obtained for the 19 Spain Garnacha ac‐ cessions (GAR-35/53) using an ALFexpress-II DNA Automated Sequencer. The majority of AFLP markers were mono‐ morphic but there were some clearly differences: the line 36 and 46 are very similar (two G. blanca genotypes) and line 37 and 49 showed only a different marker (two G. peluda genotypes). Genotypes from left to right: 35= Garnacha tinta, 36= G. blanca, 37= G. peluda, 38= G. roja; from 39 to 45= Garnacha tinta; 46= G. blanca, 47= G. erguida, 48= G. roya, 49= G. peluda; from 50 to 53= G. tinta (Meneghetti, 2011).

#### **4.2. Primitivo**

Primitivo is a grapevine variety very important for Apulian viticulture and according to tra‐ dition it was first planted by Benedictine monks in Gioia del Colle (Bari, Apulia, Italy). Primitivo di Gioia is the best known variety used in Gioia del Colle DOC wine and is geneti‐ cally equivalent to the Croatian Crljenak Kaštelanski and the American Zinfandel (Calò & Costacurta, 2004; Calò, 2008).

Fifty-nine different vines have been selected based on discriminating traits (i.e., shape, size, density, color of the skin of the bunch and of the berry). Five typologies called A, B, C, D, and E have been identified by means of ampelographic and phyllometric analyses. The mor‐ phological traits of the five biotypes (i.e., leaves, bunch, and berry) were maintained after repeated propagation of these biotypes in experimental vineyards. Thus, the morphological traits could have been fixed and stabilized during several centuries of cultivation at Gioia del Colle (Meneghetti, 2012a).

The identical SSR profiles of Primitivo biotypes are shown by a Reference Primitivo clone from Taranto (Apulia, Italy) and two Zinfandel accessions from USA.

Dice's GS matrix was used to perform the Principal Coordinate Analysis of all Primitivo ac‐ cessions.

Molecular markers discriminated the five biotypes from Gioia del Colle (Bari, Italy) to those From Pulsano (Taranto, Italy) and Zinfandel accessions from USA (Figure 9).

**Figure 7.** Provenance-specific polymorphisms by SAMPL molecular markers obtained for the 10 Sardinian Cannonau (CAN-09/18) and six French Grenache (GRE-30/34) using Silver Staining technique. The first four line (09-12) corre‐

**Figure 8.** An example of a digitalized electropherogram of the AFLP profiles obtained for the 19 Spain Garnacha ac‐ cessions (GAR-35/53) using an ALFexpress-II DNA Automated Sequencer. The majority of AFLP markers were mono‐ morphic but there were some clearly differences: the line 36 and 46 are very similar (two G. blanca genotypes) and line 37 and 49 showed only a different marker (two G. peluda genotypes). Genotypes from left to right: 35= Garnacha tinta, 36= G. blanca, 37= G. peluda, 38= G. roja; from 39 to 45= Garnacha tinta; 46= G. blanca, 47= G. erguida, 48= G.

Primitivo is a grapevine variety very important for Apulian viticulture and according to tra‐ dition it was first planted by Benedictine monks in Gioia del Colle (Bari, Apulia, Italy). Primitivo di Gioia is the best known variety used in Gioia del Colle DOC wine and is geneti‐ cally equivalent to the Croatian Crljenak Kaštelanski and the American Zinfandel (Calò &

Fifty-nine different vines have been selected based on discriminating traits (i.e., shape, size, density, color of the skin of the bunch and of the berry). Five typologies called A, B, C, D, and E have been identified by means of ampelographic and phyllometric analyses. The mor‐ phological traits of the five biotypes (i.e., leaves, bunch, and berry) were maintained after

roya, 49= G. peluda; from 50 to 53= G. tinta (Meneghetti, 2011).

82 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**4.2. Primitivo**

Costacurta, 2004; Calò, 2008).

sponding to Cannonau from Jerzu (CAN-09/12) with a specific amplification product (Meneghetti, 2011).

**Figure 9.** Geographic map of the five Primitivo biotypes from Gioia del Colle (Apulia, Italy) and the reference clone from Pulsano (TA). Centroids discriminated the genotypes according to the different geographic origins (i.e., Gioia, Pulsano, USA) (Meneghetti 2012a).

A total of 2,223 reproducible amplification products were obtained using four molecular marker systems (i.e., 837 AFLPs, 713 SAMPLs, 616 M-AFLPs and 57 ISSRs) and 1,156 prod‐ ucts (52.0%) were polymorphics.

The molecular analysis displays a high genetic variability within Primitivo genotypes which is in agreement with the non-homogenous geographical areas of cultivation. The GS was 0.8129 among Primitivo biotypes from Gioia del Colle; the GSw was 0.9477 within American accessions; the GSB was 0.7489 between Gioia del Colle biotypes and the Reference clone from Pulsano and the GSB was 0.7013 between the five Apulian biotypes and the two Zin‐ fandel accessions from USA.

Dice's GS matrix was used to perform the Principal Coordinate Analysis using all Primitivo accessions (Figure 9).

The molecular markers discriminated the Gioia del Colle biotypes from the Pulsano Refer‐ ence biotype and to the two American Zinfandel accessions (Figure 9).

The first coordinate of the centroids allowed to distinguish the five different biotypes of Gioia del Colle. The second coordinate allowed to separate the biotypes of Gioia del Colle from the two American Zinfandel accessions and the Primitivo reference clone of Pulsano (Figure 9).

Thus, we could discriminate both the Primitivo accessions (i.e., the 5 biotypes from Gioia del Colle, the clone from Pulsano, the two American Zinfandel accessions) and the different geographical origins of the plants.

#### **4.3. Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce**

Malvasias belong to a numerous and heterogeneous population of varieties growing in many European countries and their history is an intriguing enigma. Several types of grape varieties have been traditionally considered under the generic term of Malvasia, often with a complementing name related to geographic origin (Crespan, 2008; Calò & Costacurta, 2004).

In Italy, at the present time, Malvasias are spread from North to South and 17 Malvasia cul‐ tivars are registered in the Italian National Catalogue. Apulian Malvasia nera is a cultivar with black berries and belongs to the Apulian ampelographic assortment: this grape is very widespread in the Salento peninsula, from the Taranto area right across to the provinces of Brindisi and Lecce.

The Malvasia nera of Lecce and Brindisi, originated from the cross between Malvasia bianca lunga or Malvasia del Chianti and Negroamaro. It represents an important variety in the Apulia region. In the past, Malvasia nera of Brindisi and Malvasia nera of Lecce were con‐ sidered two different cultivars, but this presumed synonymy has been ascertained with SSR markers and therefore these two Malvasia nera would be considered to be the same variety (Meneghetti, 2012a). Morphological analysis allows to differentiate accessions of this culti‐ var when we compare biotypes cultivated from the Lecce region with others from the Brin‐ disi region. For this reason deeper molecular analyses have been conducted to investigate differential molecular traits between these two Malvasia cultivars with different geographi‐ cal origin.

Thirteen accessions of Italian Malvasia nera from Brindisi (Salento, Apulia) and thirteen ac‐ cessions of Italian Malvasia nera from Lecce (Salento, Apulia) were analyzed. All the acces‐ sions show the same SSR profile and were identified as Malvasia nera of Lecce and Brindisi. AFLP, SAMPL, M-AFLP and ISSR analyses were performed in order to study the intra-vari‐ etal variability.

A total of 2,049 reproducible amplification products were obtained with the four molecular marker systems, 756 AFLPs, 615 SAMPLs, 626 M-AFLPs and 52 ISSRs.

The discrimination among the 26 genotypes of Malvasia nera of Lecce and Brindisi from the two different geographic origins of Salento (Lecce and Brindisi) was possible using the four marker types as reported in Figure 10 where as MLB is Malvasia nera of Lecce and Brindisi.

The MLB genotypes with the numbers 1 to 13 were from Brindisi while samples with the numbers 14 to 26 were from Lecce.

**Figure 10.** Geographic map of Lecce and Brindisi (Apulia, Italy) and dendrogram of genotypes of Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce from Lecce and from Brindisi regions (Meneghetti, 2012a).

The cluster analysis clearly grouped the 26 accessions according to the two geographical ori‐ gins, Lecce and Brindisi. Two accessions from Brindisi (number 2 and 7) showed the same molecular profile (i.e., identical genotype).

Genetic similarity (Dice, 1945) estimated within and between the two origins, Brindisi and Lecce, was confirmed that these two groups were not genetically identical. The GSTOT was 0.8269, the GSW within the 13 accessions from Brindisi was 0.9544 and the GSW relating of the 13 accessions from Lecce was 0.9589; GSB between the two origins was 0.7572.

The molecular approach was efficient to discriminate the Apulian Malvasia nera accessions from these two different provinces of the Salento area.

#### **4.4. Negroamaro**

The first coordinate of the centroids allowed to distinguish the five different biotypes of Gioia del Colle. The second coordinate allowed to separate the biotypes of Gioia del Colle from the two American Zinfandel accessions and the Primitivo reference clone of Pulsano

Thus, we could discriminate both the Primitivo accessions (i.e., the 5 biotypes from Gioia del Colle, the clone from Pulsano, the two American Zinfandel accessions) and the different

Malvasias belong to a numerous and heterogeneous population of varieties growing in many European countries and their history is an intriguing enigma. Several types of grape varieties have been traditionally considered under the generic term of Malvasia, often with a complementing name related to geographic origin (Crespan, 2008; Calò & Costacurta, 2004). In Italy, at the present time, Malvasias are spread from North to South and 17 Malvasia cul‐ tivars are registered in the Italian National Catalogue. Apulian Malvasia nera is a cultivar with black berries and belongs to the Apulian ampelographic assortment: this grape is very widespread in the Salento peninsula, from the Taranto area right across to the provinces of

The Malvasia nera of Lecce and Brindisi, originated from the cross between Malvasia bianca lunga or Malvasia del Chianti and Negroamaro. It represents an important variety in the Apulia region. In the past, Malvasia nera of Brindisi and Malvasia nera of Lecce were con‐ sidered two different cultivars, but this presumed synonymy has been ascertained with SSR markers and therefore these two Malvasia nera would be considered to be the same variety (Meneghetti, 2012a). Morphological analysis allows to differentiate accessions of this culti‐ var when we compare biotypes cultivated from the Lecce region with others from the Brin‐ disi region. For this reason deeper molecular analyses have been conducted to investigate differential molecular traits between these two Malvasia cultivars with different geographi‐

Thirteen accessions of Italian Malvasia nera from Brindisi (Salento, Apulia) and thirteen ac‐ cessions of Italian Malvasia nera from Lecce (Salento, Apulia) were analyzed. All the acces‐ sions show the same SSR profile and were identified as Malvasia nera of Lecce and Brindisi. AFLP, SAMPL, M-AFLP and ISSR analyses were performed in order to study the intra-vari‐

A total of 2,049 reproducible amplification products were obtained with the four molecular

The discrimination among the 26 genotypes of Malvasia nera of Lecce and Brindisi from the two different geographic origins of Salento (Lecce and Brindisi) was possible using the four marker types as reported in Figure 10 where as MLB is Malvasia nera of Lecce and Brindisi. The MLB genotypes with the numbers 1 to 13 were from Brindisi while samples with the

marker systems, 756 AFLPs, 615 SAMPLs, 626 M-AFLPs and 52 ISSRs.

(Figure 9).

Brindisi and Lecce.

cal origin.

etal variability.

numbers 14 to 26 were from Lecce.

geographical origins of the plants.

84 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**4.3. Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce**

Negroamaro is a grape variety native to Southern Italy and is grown almost exclusively in Apulia (Calò & Costacurta, 2004).

This grapevine cultivar is considered to have an even older origins in Apulia (i.e., possibly brought by ancient Greek settlers that colonized Southern Italy) and it is one of the most im‐ portant popular wine varieties of the Salento area.

This variety produces the famous regional red and rosé wines 'Negroamaro Cannellino' that comes from a distinct biotype which is listed separately in the Italian Register of Grapevine Cultivar (Calò, 2000). Although the SSR markers don't distinguish it from the Negroamaro variety, the somatic mutation that allows a characteristic precocity of maturation (15 days) of 'Negroamaro Cannellino' affects a fundamental physiological distinctive trait. Therefore, it is not possible to consider these two Negroamaro biotypes from the same cultivar (Mene‐ ghetti, 2012a).

Forty-four accessions of Negroamaro from Apulia (Italy) analyzed at 11 microsatellite loci showed a microsatellite profile in agreement with the Negroamaro grapevine variety.

In order to define the intravarietal variability AFLP-based molecular markers and inter-mi‐ crosatellites were used.

The Negroamaro accessions were from eight different geographic origins of Salento (Apulia, Italy): Alezio, Tuglie, Copertino, Veglie, Leverano, San Pancrazio, Cellino San Marco and Ceglie Messapica.

A total of 2,282 reproducible amplification products were obtained with the four molecular marker systems, 856 AFLPs, 756 SAMPLs, 620 M-AFLPs and 50 ISSR and 1,022 (44.8%) of these were polymorphics.

The Negroamaro accessions were separated according to their specific origins and according to a gradient "lowland-hill" or "North-South Apulia" as shown in Figure 11. The Negra‐ maro accession from the Northern hilly origin, Ceglie Messapica, is shown as an outgroup.

**Figure 11.** Geographic map of the 8 Negroamaro origins (Apulia, Italy) and Dendrogram of genotypes of Negroamaro from the different Salento areas (Meneghetti, 2012a).

The genetic variability among the Negroamaro materials showed an high correlation be‐ tween the geographic origins (environmental variability) and the molecular profiles; this is important for the choice of the Negroamaro clones to be propagated in the Salento area.

#### **4.5. Malvasia di Candia**

it is not possible to consider these two Negroamaro biotypes from the same cultivar (Mene‐

Forty-four accessions of Negroamaro from Apulia (Italy) analyzed at 11 microsatellite loci

In order to define the intravarietal variability AFLP-based molecular markers and inter-mi‐

The Negroamaro accessions were from eight different geographic origins of Salento (Apulia, Italy): Alezio, Tuglie, Copertino, Veglie, Leverano, San Pancrazio, Cellino San Marco and

A total of 2,282 reproducible amplification products were obtained with the four molecular marker systems, 856 AFLPs, 756 SAMPLs, 620 M-AFLPs and 50 ISSR and 1,022 (44.8%) of

The Negroamaro accessions were separated according to their specific origins and according to a gradient "lowland-hill" or "North-South Apulia" as shown in Figure 11. The Negra‐ maro accession from the Northern hilly origin, Ceglie Messapica, is shown as an outgroup.

**Figure 11.** Geographic map of the 8 Negroamaro origins (Apulia, Italy) and Dendrogram of genotypes of Negroamaro

from the different Salento areas (Meneghetti, 2012a).

showed a microsatellite profile in agreement with the Negroamaro grapevine variety.

ghetti, 2012a).

crosatellites were used.

86 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

these were polymorphics.

Ceglie Messapica.

The white Malvasia di Candia SS (i.e., Simple Savor, not aromatic) is a cultivar of the great and heterogeneous Malvasia family and represents one of the principal varieties of the Fras‐ cati DOC area. It is also known as 'Red Malvasia' due to the red shoots color (Calò & Costa‐ curta, 2004).

Many biotypes of Malvasia di Candia with large sized berry bunches are present in the Fras‐ cati area after 1950. Thirty accessions of this cultivar were selected from 150 old vineyards from this area in an earlier study. Morphological and molecular analyses were performed to indentify the most interesting biotypes which revealed a large variability at morphological and molecular levels. The 30 accessions were identified as white Malvasia of Candia (SS) by SSR markers.

Ampelography and ampelometry analyses clustered four biotypes called AA, A, B, and AB (Figure 12).

**Figure 12.** Bunches of the four biotypes of Malvasia di Candia (Meneghetti, 2012c).

Biotype AA shows medium sized, long bunches with evident wings; medium irregular ber‐ ry size (Figure 12). Biotype A was similar to biotype AA with smaller sized bunches and wings. Biotypes B has smaller, shorter, less compact bunches than biotypes AA and A. Bio‐ type AB showed bunch with intermediary characteristics between biotypes A and B. AFLP, M-AFLP, and SAMPL molecular markers were used to analyze the intra-varietal genetic variability (Meneghetti, 2012a).

**Figure 13.** Centroids of Malvasia di Candia accessions that discriminated the 30 genotypes according to the different morphological traits of bunches (i.e., A, AA, B, AB).

Cluster analyses showed a correlation between molecular profile and morphological traits of bunches relating to Malvasia di Candia biotypes (Figure 13).

Biotypes B (smaller fruit size) were clearly discriminated from the remaining typologies (larger fruit size) even if the accessions with A and AA bunch types were grouped in the same cluster (A/AA) (Figure 13).

#### **4.6. Istrian Malvasia**

Istrian Malvasia is a cultivar from Northern Italy and the Istrian Peninsula (Calò & Costa‐ curta, 2004; Crespan, 2006). It is known in Croatia as Malvazija istarska (Crespan, 2008). This cultivar is the most commercially important and widely cultivated grapevine variety in Is‐ tria (Croatia).

Several biotypes of this grapevine cultivar were selected in Italy during clonal selections by research institutes.

A study was carried out on 30 Istrian Malvasia genotypes consisting of eight Italian clones (i.e., ISV 1, ISV F6, VCR 4, VCR 113, VCR 114, VCR 115, ERSA 120, ERSA 121) and 22 au‐ tochthonous grapevine accessions grown in Istrian Peninsula (Croatia); the morphological and genetic intra-varietal variability of this cultivar was evaluated.

Ampelographic characterizations of accessions were performed using 20 OIV descriptors relative to young shoot, shoot, young leaf, mature leaf, inflorescence, bunch and berry (2nd edition of the OIV descriptor list for grape varieties and *Vitis* species). Dendrogram based on morphological data was performed using the absolute mean distances (Manhattan - City Block) and the Complete Linkage (Fabbris, 1997).

The microsatellite analyses confirmed the varietal identity of the 30 genotypes analyzed. SSR profile of Istrian Malvasia was reported in Figure 14.

**Figure 14.** SSR profile at 11 loci of Istrian Malvasia cultivar by 3130XL Genetic Analyzer.

**Figure 13.** Centroids of Malvasia di Candia accessions that discriminated the 30 genotypes according to the different

Cluster analyses showed a correlation between molecular profile and morphological traits of

Biotypes B (smaller fruit size) were clearly discriminated from the remaining typologies (larger fruit size) even if the accessions with A and AA bunch types were grouped in the

Istrian Malvasia is a cultivar from Northern Italy and the Istrian Peninsula (Calò & Costa‐ curta, 2004; Crespan, 2006). It is known in Croatia as Malvazija istarska (Crespan, 2008). This cultivar is the most commercially important and widely cultivated grapevine variety in Is‐

Several biotypes of this grapevine cultivar were selected in Italy during clonal selections by

A study was carried out on 30 Istrian Malvasia genotypes consisting of eight Italian clones (i.e., ISV 1, ISV F6, VCR 4, VCR 113, VCR 114, VCR 115, ERSA 120, ERSA 121) and 22 au‐

morphological traits of bunches (i.e., A, AA, B, AB).

88 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

same cluster (A/AA) (Figure 13).

**4.6. Istrian Malvasia**

tria (Croatia).

research institutes.

bunches relating to Malvasia di Candia biotypes (Figure 13).

Malvasia dendrogram of morphological data in Figure 15 showed two distinct main groups: first consisted of the 22 autochthonous accessions from Croatia and second comprised the eight Italian clones.

Figure 16 reports the 16 geographic origins of the analyzed Istrian Malvasia accessions or clones.

**Figure 15.** Dendrogram of morphological data of the 30 Istrian Malvasia accessions, of which 8 Italian clones of Istrian Malvasia (i.e., ISV 1 and ISV F6 clones, ERSA 120 and ERSA 121 clones, VCR113, VCR114, VCR115 and VCR 4 clones) and the 22 autochthonous accessions from Croatia.

**Figure 16.** Geographic map of the geographic origins of the 30 Istrian Malvasia accessions from Italy (1-6) and Croatia (7-16) (Meneghetti, 2012b).

The morphological analyses performed using the OIV ampelographic descriptors (Figure 15) discriminated the Italian clones in accordance with the three different selectors: the two clones of the ISV (i.e., ISV 1 and ISV F6), the two clones of ERSA (i.e., ERSA 120 and ERSA 121) and the four clones of VCR (i.e., VCR 113, VCR 114, VCR 115 and VCR 4). Italian clones and Croatian accessions were separated by morphological traits.

In order to study the intra-varietal genetic variability of 30 mentioned accessions AFLP, SAMPL and M-AFLP molecular analyses were performed.

A total of 1,754 reproducible amplification products were obtained (i.e., 682 DNA fragments from AFLPs, 597 DNA fragments from SAMPLs and 475 DNA fragments from M-AFLPs). Results revealed 931 (70.1%) polymorphic molecular markers: 308 AFLPs, 302 SAMPLs and 321 M-AFLPs.

The GSTOT values of the three marker types showed that all molecular systems applied were efficient to show molecular polymorphisms between the Istrian Malvasia genotypes.

The observed GSTOT was 0.8974, the GSW within the eight Italian clones was 0.8376 and the GSW within the 22 Istrian samples was 0.9552. This result showed that the Istrian accessions were genetically more similar to each other than the Italian clones. GSB was 0.8667 between Italian and Croatian accessions.

The GSW values were 0.9302, 0.9478 and 0.9278 within ERSA, ISV and VCR clones respec‐ tively. The GSB values were 0.8066, 0.8162 and 0.7806 between ERSA and ISV, ERSA and VCR, and ISV and VCR clones respectively.

Dice's GS matrix was used to perform the cluster analysis (Figure 17).

**Figure 15.** Dendrogram of morphological data of the 30 Istrian Malvasia accessions, of which 8 Italian clones of Istrian Malvasia (i.e., ISV 1 and ISV F6 clones, ERSA 120 and ERSA 121 clones, VCR113, VCR114, VCR115 and VCR 4 clones)

**Figure 16.** Geographic map of the geographic origins of the 30 Istrian Malvasia accessions from Italy (1-6) and Croatia

and the 22 autochthonous accessions from Croatia.

90 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

(7-16) (Meneghetti, 2012b).

**Figure 17.** Dendrogram of the 30 Istrian Malvasia genotypes reveals a different molecular profile between Italian and Croatian samples. The number reported identify the different geographic origins (map of Figure 16) (Meneghetti, 2012b).

Figure 17 reports two distinctive groups: Croatian accessions and Italian clones. Results of the AFLP, SAMPL and M-AFLP analysis did not show a complete correlation with morpho‐ logical observations. In fact the dendrogram obtained by molecular data (Figure 17) was not exactly equivalent with that of morphological observations (Figure 15). However, both clus‐ ter analyses showed a clear correlation between accessions and their selectors or country.

Furthermore, the Croatian accessions were distinct in ten sub-groups in agreement with their geographic origins (i.e., 7= Umag, 8= Brtonigla, 9= Tar-Vabriga, 10= Kaštelir-Labinci, 11= Višnjan; 12= Poreč; 13= Sveti-Lovreč, 14= Kanfanar; 15= Bale, 16= Vodjan).

A similar level of distinction could be observed for the three Italian sub-groups.

We could argue that the genetic similarities are in agreement with the distance of the geo‐ graphic origins.

These results suggest the need to emphasize the environmental role on the selection of geno‐ types during the centuries. The emphasis on preserving the autochthonous grapevine bio‐ types is crucial to preserve the richness of the Istrian Malvasia germplasm.

The study confirmed the importance of choosing appropriate propagation material for fu‐ ture cultivation in order to save the genetic variability of local biotypes. The propagation of the same clone in different territories should be also avoided in order to preserve the good interaction among genotypes and their specific environments.

Further intra-varietal studies (i.e., DNA analysis, together with ampelographic investiga‐ tions), allowed the identification of Italian clones and Croatian autochthonous accessions of Istrian Malvasia.

The results have highlighted the existence of genetic variability among the Istrian Malvasia accessions from different geographical cultivation areas. These molecular approaches al‐ lowed the identification of different clones within the Istrian Malvasia cultivar and the char‐ acterization of accessions according to their geographic origins.

#### **5. Conclusions**

In summary, the molecular and morphological analyses showed that *Vitis vinifera* is a spe‐ cies characterized by vast genetic variability.

Molecular analyses of DNA are essential for the grapevine identification using SSR markers.

These results showed also the wide genetic variability for the grape cultivars (intra-varietal level) suggesting the need for the preservation of autochthonous grapevine biotypes found in different areas by a proper selection of the grape multiplication materials.

In fact, this genetic variability accumulated during centuries of cultivations and selections, should be both recognized and preserved, being corroborated by scientific experimental results.

The importance of saving the genetic variability of the varieties is crucial in order to avoid to propagate the same clone in different cultivation areas.

It is highly recommended to promote the propagation of the typical autochthon biotypes, which are already wisely selected by grape vine growers.

#### **Acknowledgment**

Figure 17 reports two distinctive groups: Croatian accessions and Italian clones. Results of the AFLP, SAMPL and M-AFLP analysis did not show a complete correlation with morpho‐ logical observations. In fact the dendrogram obtained by molecular data (Figure 17) was not exactly equivalent with that of morphological observations (Figure 15). However, both clus‐ ter analyses showed a clear correlation between accessions and their selectors or country.

Furthermore, the Croatian accessions were distinct in ten sub-groups in agreement with their geographic origins (i.e., 7= Umag, 8= Brtonigla, 9= Tar-Vabriga, 10= Kaštelir-Labinci,

We could argue that the genetic similarities are in agreement with the distance of the geo‐

These results suggest the need to emphasize the environmental role on the selection of geno‐ types during the centuries. The emphasis on preserving the autochthonous grapevine bio‐

The study confirmed the importance of choosing appropriate propagation material for fu‐ ture cultivation in order to save the genetic variability of local biotypes. The propagation of the same clone in different territories should be also avoided in order to preserve the good

Further intra-varietal studies (i.e., DNA analysis, together with ampelographic investiga‐ tions), allowed the identification of Italian clones and Croatian autochthonous accessions of

The results have highlighted the existence of genetic variability among the Istrian Malvasia accessions from different geographical cultivation areas. These molecular approaches al‐ lowed the identification of different clones within the Istrian Malvasia cultivar and the char‐

In summary, the molecular and morphological analyses showed that *Vitis vinifera* is a spe‐

Molecular analyses of DNA are essential for the grapevine identification using SSR markers.

These results showed also the wide genetic variability for the grape cultivars (intra-varietal level) suggesting the need for the preservation of autochthonous grapevine biotypes found

In fact, this genetic variability accumulated during centuries of cultivations and selections, should be both recognized and preserved, being corroborated by scientific experimental results.

in different areas by a proper selection of the grape multiplication materials.

11= Višnjan; 12= Poreč; 13= Sveti-Lovreč, 14= Kanfanar; 15= Bale, 16= Vodjan).

types is crucial to preserve the richness of the Istrian Malvasia germplasm.

interaction among genotypes and their specific environments.

acterization of accessions according to their geographic origins.

cies characterized by vast genetic variability.

graphic origins.

92 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Istrian Malvasia.

**5. Conclusions**

A similar level of distinction could be observed for the three Italian sub-groups.

This study is supported by both ASER and IDENTIVIT research grant from Ministero delle Politiche Agricole, Alimentari e Forestali MiPAAF, Rome, Italy.

#### **Author details**

Stefano Meneghetti1 , Luigi Bavaresco1 , Antonio Calò2 and Angelo Costacurta2


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**Genetics in Service of National Germplasms Preservation**

## **Centuries-Old Results of Cultivation and Diversity of Genetic Resources of Grapes in Azerbaijan**

Mirza Musayev and Zeynal Akparov

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/ 52387

#### **1. Introduction**

The Azerbaijan Republic is an ancient country located on the South-East of the Caucasus Mountains and on the North-West of the Iranian Plateau, at the crossroads of Eastern Eu‐ rope and Southwest Asia. Extreme diversity of the soil and climatic conditions of Azerbaijan support a very rich diversity of plant genetic resources. More than 4700 higher plants have been registered here, 237 of which are endemic. Historically wild fruits are used by people for food, as medicinal crops and for other purposes. Azerbaijan is considered one of the evo‐ lution centers of cultivated plants. Practically all present-day major cultivated plants ap‐ peared for the first time in Azerbaijan several millennia B.C. As an example, evidence of ancient horticulture was discovered in a settlement west of Goy-Gol in the early second mil‐ lennium B.C. Fruit crops (apple, pear, apricot, pomegranate, quince, fig, almond, walnut, ha‐ zelnut etc.) and grape have been cultivated to meet the demands of the population for foodstuff and other products. Most of these crops are still considered major agricultural crops in the country. In the book of the ancient Greek scientist Strabon - "Geography" was indicated a high prevalence of fruits in Azerbaijan: "The whole country is rich in wild and cultural fruits, evergreens, even olive grows here".

On the territory of Azerbaijan are distributed 149 species of fruit crops belonging to 39 gen‐ era and 15 families. The big number of genera and species of wild fruit and fruit-berry plants sprouting in forests and rural regions of Azerbaijan provides the greatest diversity of fruit crops: *Amygdalus communis* L., *Armeniaca vulgaris* Lam., *Berberis vulgaris* L., *Castanea sat‐ iva* Mill., *Cerasus avium* (L.) Moench, *C.vulgaris* Mill., *Cornus mas* L., *Corylus avellana* L., *Cra‐ taegus orientalis* Pall. ex M. Bieb., *Cydonia oblonga* Mill., *Ficus carica* L., *Fragaria vesca* L., *Hippophae rhamnoides* L., *Juglans regia* L., *Malus domestica* Borkh., *Mespilus germanica* L., *Morus* L., *Persica vulgaris* Mill., *Pistacia mutica* Fisch. & C. A. Mey., *Pistacia vera* L., *Prunus cerasifera*

© 2013 Musayev and Akparov; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Musayev and Akparov; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Ehrh., *Punica granatum* L., *P.domestica* L., *P.spinosa* L., *Elaeagnus angustifolia* L., *Pyrus commu‐ nis* L., *Rubus* L., *Olea europaea* L., *Vitis vinifera* L. subsp. *sativa* D.C., *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvest‐ ris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. and etc. [1,2,3,4,5,6]

Vine-growing was one of the most ancient and widespread professions in the economic life of our people. As evidenced from archaeological excavations, paleobotanical studies, ampe‐ lographic information, folklore and written history sources, Azerbaijan has proven to be one of the cultural centers of vine-growing.

The territory of Azerbaijan has very favourable conditions for improvement of *Vitis* and de‐ velopment of vine-growing. Primitive men who primarily utilized hunting and fishing to provide sustenance also collected wild fruits and berries, including wild grape.

In 1963 in the western part of Bozdagh (Goy Gol region) while conducting geological inves‐ tigations, Azerbaijan scientists discovered an abundance of plant remains in Absheron sedi‐ ments which formed 1-2 million years ago. Most of the residues were impressions of wild grape leaves on stone. Formation of wild grape in this area (approximately 500. 000 years ago) was demonstrated by grape leaf impressions found in Nakhchivan [7]. This discovery proves that the region is one the ancient vine-growing centers (Figure 1.). These discoveries are very valuable, not only for historians, but also for specialists of other sciences – paleobo‐ tany, ampelographics, fruit-growers, geologists, soil scientists.

**Figure 1.** *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. Leaf impressions in stone. Discovered in the Eastern part of Araz River in Nakhchivan AR (according to I.M. Palibin, 1964)

Researchers indicated that the origin of cultivated grape was within geographic areas where wild grape was endemic. According to N.I.Vavilov, like animals, plant domestication is also possible in areas that are enriched with available wild species. Through his long term inves‐ tigations, he determined that Azerbaijan and the Southern Caucasus Mountains are the main centers of crop origin, including grape [8,9,10].

Ehrh., *Punica granatum* L., *P.domestica* L., *P.spinosa* L., *Elaeagnus angustifolia* L., *Pyrus commu‐ nis* L., *Rubus* L., *Olea europaea* L., *Vitis vinifera* L. subsp. *sativa* D.C., *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvest‐*

Vine-growing was one of the most ancient and widespread professions in the economic life of our people. As evidenced from archaeological excavations, paleobotanical studies, ampe‐ lographic information, folklore and written history sources, Azerbaijan has proven to be one

The territory of Azerbaijan has very favourable conditions for improvement of *Vitis* and de‐ velopment of vine-growing. Primitive men who primarily utilized hunting and fishing to

In 1963 in the western part of Bozdagh (Goy Gol region) while conducting geological inves‐ tigations, Azerbaijan scientists discovered an abundance of plant remains in Absheron sedi‐ ments which formed 1-2 million years ago. Most of the residues were impressions of wild grape leaves on stone. Formation of wild grape in this area (approximately 500. 000 years ago) was demonstrated by grape leaf impressions found in Nakhchivan [7]. This discovery proves that the region is one the ancient vine-growing centers (Figure 1.). These discoveries are very valuable, not only for historians, but also for specialists of other sciences – paleobo‐

**Figure 1.** *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. Leaf impressions in stone. Discovered in the Eastern part of

Researchers indicated that the origin of cultivated grape was within geographic areas where wild grape was endemic. According to N.I.Vavilov, like animals, plant domestication is also possible in areas that are enriched with available wild species. Through his long term inves‐

provide sustenance also collected wild fruits and berries, including wild grape.

tany, ampelographics, fruit-growers, geologists, soil scientists.

Araz River in Nakhchivan AR (according to I.M. Palibin, 1964)

*ris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. and etc. [1,2,3,4,5,6]

100 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

of the cultural centers of vine-growing.

Archaeological materials are considered important sources in highlighting the socio-eco‐ nomic life of people, and also for studying the historical development of vine-growing. There are a number of findings on the vine-growing culture of ancient Azeri people in the archaeological record. In some cases, parts of grape bunches dried in soil or rotted, but the majority of grape bunches only became charred and kept its form and size when discovered in ancient pots or storage vessels.

The oldest examples of findings on vine-growing in Azerbaijan territory date to the V-IV millennium BC. In these noted millenniums an important event occurred in the lives of an‐ cient families, our ancestors passed from a hunter/gatherer society to a sedentary life and husbandry culture.

During archaeological excavations near Aghstafa region in 1962, various plant remains, in‐ cluding grape seed, were found in "Shomutepe" monument and were dated to V-IV millen‐ nium BC. Investigations had shown the culture and year parameters of grape seeds. Mainly on the basis of this finding it was shown that the history of cultured vine-growing in Azer‐ baijan has at least 7 millenniums.

Grape seeds, stone tools for vine production and different cultural material samples which were found at Uzerliktepe monument, Goy Gol region, and ancient monuments in Nakhchi‐ van during archaeological excavations near Aghdam region showed that vine-growing had played an important role in farmers' lives. Grape seeds found in Uzerliktepe date to 3500 years ago. Scientists determined that they were table grape varieties. Grape seeds found in Uzerliktepe were of different sizes. The biggest seed was 6.5 mm, separate seeds of grape were nearly 18-20 mm. Findings in Ganjachay territory show that the people were occupied with horticulture, as well as vine-growing during the Bronze Age. Chemical analysis of re‐ main which were found in earthenware crockery belonging to last Bronze Age proved that it consisted of wine sediments and grape seeds. Wine pitchers were also found in tombs from the end of the Bronze Age in Mingechevir region. Besides jewelleries, weapons, kitchen utensils and food, as well as wine bottles had been found in Bronze Age grave monuments in Goy Gol region and Haloylutepe. In the bottom of crockery, grape seed sediments and wine remains were observed. It was determined that all these were put near the deceased person in connection with confidence to 'The Hereafter.'

During archaeological excavations in old Saritepe settlement in the west part of Gazakh re‐ gion, big pitchers were discovered that contained grape seed and seed fragments. Professor A.M. Negrul who investigated the grape seeds determined that they belonged to a cultivat‐ ed grape variety. Those investigations concerned artifacts dated to II millennium BC. The big pitchers found in Saritepe have a great importance as proof of grape juice extraction and wine production. One of the grape juice pitchers with a height of 2m and 1000 litre capacity is being kept in the historical museum of Azerbaijan.

Cultivated grape seeds were also found at approximately 5 m depth in Meydantepe from II millennium BC in Kultepe settlement in Nakhchivan.

During a 1970 excavation, other cultural samples, as well as lots of burnt grape seed remains belonging to the first half of I millennium AD (app. IV-V centuries) were discov‐ ered in Galagah. In Galagah, a piece of stone crockery used in grape juice extraction was found. Separate seeds of grape and stone crockery proved that this place was a produc‐ tion center for wine-making.

In III-VIII centuries, wine-making played an important role in the economic life of the Min‐ gechevir population. In Mingechevir the main archeological discoveries had been grape seeds. A number of wineskin remains were discovered here. In these wineskins there were grape seeds and ancient wine remains.

While conducting archaeological excavations it was determined that urban population of Beylagan were also occupied with vine-growing. First period stratums of Beylagan (VI-VIII centuries), were vine-growers as evidenced by numerous discoveries of grape seeds. At the result of 1962-68 excavation,s burnt grape bunches were discovered in a building complex characterizing XI-XIII century settlements.

Different fruit remains, as well as grape seeds, were found in ruins of Gabala region of Azer‐ baijan. Grape seeds were found in economic wells and basin-shaped earthenware crockery.

All of these archaeological excavations provide good evidence on grape remains, economic pitchers and tools (hoe, spade, hook, gardening shears, trough), as well as dishes (strainer, jug, basin, glass, bowl and etc.) which are endemic to any given region.

Populations used the grape for juice extract, prepared non-alcoholic drinks and made vari‐ ous food stuffs of these juices and syrups.

Grape squashing stones were found in cultured stratum of settlements and places belonging to III-VIII centuries of Ganja, Pirhesenli village of Aghsu region and Mingechevir.

Vine-growing provided the Azerbaijan population with grape juice and syrups, currants, bakmaz, vinegar, abgora and other products. The production of these required great experi‐ ence, a large labour force and a variety of differently formed dishes. During excavations lots of potteries were unearthed. Clay strainers had been used in juice filtering. Clay strainers belonging to II millennium BC and VII century were found in II Kultepe and Julfa region, Bronze Age cultured stratum of Mingechevir and Gabala region. Earthenware crockery used as a strainer in wine-making which belonged to III-II centuries was discovered in a graveyard near Gubakhalili settlement of Ismayilli region. Such strainers were also obtained in Seyfeli village and places throughout the Shamkir region.

Paleobotanical findings, artificial irrigation ornamental remains, differently sized and formed potteries, also glass wares and tools which were found through archaeological exca‐ vations show the high degree of development of vine-growing in Azerbaijan.

Written sources of information (Latin, Greek, Syrian, Arabic, Persian, Turkish) are very im‐ portant in determining the developmental history of vine-growing, as well as the husbandry culture of Azerbaijan population. There is plenty of information in ancient scholars' works on these issues. The Greek scholar Herodotus, who lived in V century BC, gave information about events relative to VI century on vine-growing in Azerbaijan. Abundance and quality of Azerbaijan grape is even more significant than in Iran, Babylon or Greece. The Roman scholar Great Plini (23-79 years BC) admired inexhaustible resources and advanced farming culture of Azerbaijan territory: "I have never seen such sweet grape anywhere. This nation can cultivate the land better than Egyptians".

The famous Greek geographer Strabon (I century BC- I century AD) noted the great role of vine-growing in the economic life of Azerbaijan: "There (in Azerbaijan) grapevines were cut off once in five years, new grapevines began to yield fruit from the second year, yield was higher and even some parts of grape stayed on grapevines".

In some zones of Azerbaijan planting of grapevines in winter is connected with climate. In some regions of Azerbaijan, especially in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic covering viticulture. In recent years, cultivation of grapevines is more widely spread in "Khiyaban" in Azerbaijan. Grapevines that are cultivated in "Khiyaban" not have to do pruning every year. A higher yield is obtained though cutting off the dried parts and useless shoots once every 5-6 years. Strabon's information on high yield of grape is also connected with grape‐ vine productivity. It is known tha, grape mainly is harvested in the months of September-October. If taking into account comparative climate changes, in ancient Azerbaijan the grape was collected in September-October months too. In certain years, the productivity of grape‐ vines was higher, and it had been impossible to harvest everything until December. When Strabon noted not collecting part of the grape harvest, he namely intended this issue.

In modern Azerbaijan vine-growing and wine-making are considered among the most prof‐ itable fields of agriculture. Although local grape varieties are cultivated on big farms, they are an insignificant part of the national grape collection. And this cannot provide sustaina‐ ble and safe preservation of local valuable grape varieties. Therefore, local grape varieties and wild grape forms spread in our republic (in old vineyards, little peasant-farmer house‐ holds, courtyards, etc.) should be collected, included in the collection, and evaluated for their possible utilization.

Recently, new ampelographic collections have been established and enriched with local and introduced grape varieties and wild grape species in Genetic Resources Institute of ANAS.

At the conclusion of our latest investigations, it was known that of the more than 600 local and introduced grape varieties spread throughout Azerbaijan, 75 of them had already been lost, with more than 100 varieties currently being threatened.

Most of threatened local grape varieties were collected as a result of expeditions (in old vineyards, peasant-farmer households and courtyards) organized in different regions of our Republic.

### **2. Material and Methods**

During a 1970 excavation, other cultural samples, as well as lots of burnt grape seed remains belonging to the first half of I millennium AD (app. IV-V centuries) were discov‐ ered in Galagah. In Galagah, a piece of stone crockery used in grape juice extraction was found. Separate seeds of grape and stone crockery proved that this place was a produc‐

In III-VIII centuries, wine-making played an important role in the economic life of the Min‐ gechevir population. In Mingechevir the main archeological discoveries had been grape seeds. A number of wineskin remains were discovered here. In these wineskins there were

While conducting archaeological excavations it was determined that urban population of Beylagan were also occupied with vine-growing. First period stratums of Beylagan (VI-VIII centuries), were vine-growers as evidenced by numerous discoveries of grape seeds. At the result of 1962-68 excavation,s burnt grape bunches were discovered in a building complex

Different fruit remains, as well as grape seeds, were found in ruins of Gabala region of Azer‐ baijan. Grape seeds were found in economic wells and basin-shaped earthenware crockery.

All of these archaeological excavations provide good evidence on grape remains, economic pitchers and tools (hoe, spade, hook, gardening shears, trough), as well as dishes (strainer,

Populations used the grape for juice extract, prepared non-alcoholic drinks and made vari‐

Grape squashing stones were found in cultured stratum of settlements and places belonging

Vine-growing provided the Azerbaijan population with grape juice and syrups, currants, bakmaz, vinegar, abgora and other products. The production of these required great experi‐ ence, a large labour force and a variety of differently formed dishes. During excavations lots of potteries were unearthed. Clay strainers had been used in juice filtering. Clay strainers belonging to II millennium BC and VII century were found in II Kultepe and Julfa region, Bronze Age cultured stratum of Mingechevir and Gabala region. Earthenware crockery used as a strainer in wine-making which belonged to III-II centuries was discovered in a graveyard near Gubakhalili settlement of Ismayilli region. Such strainers were also obtained in

Paleobotanical findings, artificial irrigation ornamental remains, differently sized and formed potteries, also glass wares and tools which were found through archaeological exca‐

Written sources of information (Latin, Greek, Syrian, Arabic, Persian, Turkish) are very im‐ portant in determining the developmental history of vine-growing, as well as the husbandry culture of Azerbaijan population. There is plenty of information in ancient scholars' works on these issues. The Greek scholar Herodotus, who lived in V century BC, gave information

vations show the high degree of development of vine-growing in Azerbaijan.

to III-VIII centuries of Ganja, Pirhesenli village of Aghsu region and Mingechevir.

jug, basin, glass, bowl and etc.) which are endemic to any given region.

tion center for wine-making.

grape seeds and ancient wine remains.

102 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

characterizing XI-XIII century settlements.

ous food stuffs of these juices and syrups.

Seyfeli village and places throughout the Shamkir region.

Materials of research work consisted of grapevines and yields of local grape varieties and wild grape forms.

Ampelographic description of grape varieties and wild grapevines had been implemented on the basis of common methods [11,12,13,14,15].

Phytopathological and immunological descriptions and assessments of grapevines on natu‐ ral background were carried out by appropriate methods [16].

Finally, varieties and forms were evaluated by modern methods [17, 18] for their reaction to various stresses.

Total genomic DNA was isolated from young grape leaves. The leaves were ground in liq‐ uid nitrogen. For DNA isolation the CTAB based extraction procedure was used [19]. When necessary, extracted DNAs were purified with GenElute columns (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). In the case of silica dried leaves DNA was isolated by Plant genomic DNA extraction miniprep system (VIOGENE, USA). Sequence diversity polymorphisms of wild grape sam‐ ples were investigated at two non-coding plastid DNA regions (the *trnH-psbA* intergenic spacer and the *rpl*16 intron).

The *trnH-psbA* intergenic spacer was amplified with the primers "trnH" and "psbA". The *rpl*16 intron was amplified with the primers "*rpl*16-5'" and "*rpl*16-3'" [20,21]. The primers were synthesized by Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (Coralville, IA), and Sequencing Service of Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Science (Poland).

PCR conditions included 1 minute denaturing at 94°C, 30 cycles of 94°C denaturing (1 mi‐ nute), 55°C annealing (1 minute), and 72°C extension (2 minutes), followed by a final exten‐ sion step at 72°C (5 minutes). PCR products were purified with GenElute PCR Clean-Up Kits (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), dye-labeled using a Big Dye Terminator Kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) and analyzed on either Applied Biosystems 3100 or 3700 genet‐ ic analyzers (Biology Department of Washington University, St.Louis, MO and Laboratory Services Division of the University of Guelph, ON, Canada). MEGA and SeqMan softwares were used for sequence analysis.

While on expeditions, the coordinates of wild grapevines areas were defined by GPS. Rele‐ vant photos were taken with digital cameras, some ampelographic indicators and phytoce‐ notic traits were described.

#### **3. Results and Discussion**

Recently, world interest in wild grape has increased and this resulted in a widening of in‐ vestigations in this field. By studying wild grape, we can infer some questions on grape phy‐ togenesis and use the varieties which possessed positive bio-agricultural traits and different biotic-abiotic factors resistant genes as donor in grape selection. For this purpose, research on collection, improvement, investigation and sustainable utilization of genetic resources of wild grape are being implemented in Azerbaijan Republic and organized joint expeditions in different regions.

In our Republic wild grape samples are spread widely in large areas and along the banks and shores of river, lake and sea, and on mountain slopes of Absheron, Nakhchivan AR, Ganja-Gazakh, Garabagh, Mil-Mughan, Shirvan and Talysh regions. A number of studies were implemented in Khachmaz, Guba, Khudat, Nabran, Gusar, Shamakhi, Ismayilli, Agh‐ su, Oghuz, Gabala, Shaky, Zagatala, Lankaranand Fuzuli regions for studying the genetic resources of grape.

Ampelographic description of grape varieties and wild grapevines had been implemented

Phytopathological and immunological descriptions and assessments of grapevines on natu‐

Finally, varieties and forms were evaluated by modern methods [17, 18] for their reaction to

Total genomic DNA was isolated from young grape leaves. The leaves were ground in liq‐ uid nitrogen. For DNA isolation the CTAB based extraction procedure was used [19]. When necessary, extracted DNAs were purified with GenElute columns (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). In the case of silica dried leaves DNA was isolated by Plant genomic DNA extraction miniprep system (VIOGENE, USA). Sequence diversity polymorphisms of wild grape sam‐ ples were investigated at two non-coding plastid DNA regions (the *trnH-psbA* intergenic

The *trnH-psbA* intergenic spacer was amplified with the primers "trnH" and "psbA". The *rpl*16 intron was amplified with the primers "*rpl*16-5'" and "*rpl*16-3'" [20,21]. The primers were synthesized by Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (Coralville, IA), and Sequencing Service of Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Science (Poland).

PCR conditions included 1 minute denaturing at 94°C, 30 cycles of 94°C denaturing (1 mi‐ nute), 55°C annealing (1 minute), and 72°C extension (2 minutes), followed by a final exten‐ sion step at 72°C (5 minutes). PCR products were purified with GenElute PCR Clean-Up Kits (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), dye-labeled using a Big Dye Terminator Kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) and analyzed on either Applied Biosystems 3100 or 3700 genet‐ ic analyzers (Biology Department of Washington University, St.Louis, MO and Laboratory Services Division of the University of Guelph, ON, Canada). MEGA and SeqMan softwares

While on expeditions, the coordinates of wild grapevines areas were defined by GPS. Rele‐ vant photos were taken with digital cameras, some ampelographic indicators and phytoce‐

Recently, world interest in wild grape has increased and this resulted in a widening of in‐ vestigations in this field. By studying wild grape, we can infer some questions on grape phy‐ togenesis and use the varieties which possessed positive bio-agricultural traits and different biotic-abiotic factors resistant genes as donor in grape selection. For this purpose, research on collection, improvement, investigation and sustainable utilization of genetic resources of wild grape are being implemented in Azerbaijan Republic and organized joint expeditions

In our Republic wild grape samples are spread widely in large areas and along the banks and shores of river, lake and sea, and on mountain slopes of Absheron, Nakhchivan AR,

on the basis of common methods [11,12,13,14,15].

104 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

various stresses.

spacer and the *rpl*16 intron).

were used for sequence analysis.

**3. Results and Discussion**

notic traits were described.

in different regions.

ral background were carried out by appropriate methods [16].

At the same time it may be concluded that wild grape spread throughout the whole territory of Azerbaijan in a very ancient form. Wild grape - *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. of Azerbaijan is distinguished with specific characters. It grows on the territory of Azerbaijan from 12 m below sea-level (Kyur riverside, Salyan region) to 2000 m above sealevel (Gusar region). There are two kinds of wild grape in Azerbaijan: *typica* Negr. (with hairs) and *aberrans* Negr. (hairless).

**Figure 2.** Formation of wild grape in Nabran. Coastal Area of the Caspian Sea.

The geographic origins of grapevine domestication are not currently known. According to many researchers, the Caucasus region (north-western Turkey, northern Iraq, southern Rus‐ sia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) and adjacent areas (Anatolia, modern day Syria, Lebanon, Israel), are the geographic areas where grapes were most likely were first domesticated [10,22,23,24]. Special climate conditions in this area occurred which were favorable for the diversification of wild varieties from which cultivated grapes were domesticated. At the same time, having extraordinary abundance of the wild species of grape (*V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi.), Azerbaijan and the whole South Caucasus region are regarded as the potential pla‐ ces for domestication of cultivated grapes. It is here that the natural distribution of *V.vinifera* most closely approaches the probable origin of Western agriculture [24]. This assumption is proven by the recent chemical analysis of archeological pottery from Georgia and Eastern Anatolia which showed that winemaking dates back to early VI millennium BC in these regions (McGovern, in preparation). Distribution area of *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. is very wide: It's a Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East, including Mediterra‐ nean, Black and Caspian Sea Basins from Spain to Turkmenistan [25].

The main goal of the proposed study was the investigation of plastid DNA sequence diver‐ sity in a geographically diverse set of South Caucasian *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. To date no study has broadly assessed DNA sequence variation of wild grape‐ vines in this way. The greater Caucasus region is widely believed to be the area in which grape domestication began [22,26], and the study of genetic diversity in this region is viewed as key to understanding grape domestication in general. This information is of great interest from an ethno-botanical standpoint, but also relates to crop improvement. It's well known that cultivated varieties of grapevine differ greatly in their resistance to pests and diseases, and ancestral wild populations are obvious first targets for use in breeding and ge‐ netic engineering.

**Figure 3.** The distribution of haplotypes in the SouthCaucasus.

For clarification of some questions and characteristics of domestication of wild grapes of the South Caucasus, we studied samples of the wild grape of the South Caucasus region. Fortyfive wild grape (*V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi.) samples from the South Caucasus were analyzed. This group included 19 samples from the Republic of Georgia, 10 samples from Azerbaijan, 2 samples from Armenia and 14 samples from Turkey. A plastid DNA sequence variation study revealed the presence of three polymorphic sites in DNA: one in *trnH-psbA* intergenic region and two in the *rpl*16 intron area. According to this obser‐ vation investigated samples of Caucasian *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. were divided into four different haplotypes: AAA, ATT, GTA and ATA [27]. For each haplo‐ type the first nucleotide represents single polymorphism at the *trnH-psbA* intergenic region and another two nucleotides at two targeted sites from *rpl16* intron area. The AAA haplo‐ type is restricted to East Georgia and Azerbaijan, the ATA haplotype is distributed random‐ ly across the entire study area, the ATT haplotype is distributed in the southern part of the study area from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. The single GTA haplotype was only found in the South-West part of Georgia (Figure 3).

proven by the recent chemical analysis of archeological pottery from Georgia and Eastern Anatolia which showed that winemaking dates back to early VI millennium BC in these regions (McGovern, in preparation). Distribution area of *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. is very wide: It's a Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East, including Mediterra‐

The main goal of the proposed study was the investigation of plastid DNA sequence diver‐ sity in a geographically diverse set of South Caucasian *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. To date no study has broadly assessed DNA sequence variation of wild grape‐ vines in this way. The greater Caucasus region is widely believed to be the area in which grape domestication began [22,26], and the study of genetic diversity in this region is viewed as key to understanding grape domestication in general. This information is of great interest from an ethno-botanical standpoint, but also relates to crop improvement. It's well known that cultivated varieties of grapevine differ greatly in their resistance to pests and diseases, and ancestral wild populations are obvious first targets for use in breeding and ge‐

For clarification of some questions and characteristics of domestication of wild grapes of the South Caucasus, we studied samples of the wild grape of the South Caucasus region. Fortyfive wild grape (*V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi.) samples from the South Caucasus were analyzed. This group included 19 samples from the Republic of Georgia, 10 samples from Azerbaijan, 2 samples from Armenia and 14 samples from Turkey. A plastid DNA sequence variation study revealed the presence of three polymorphic sites in DNA: one in *trnH-psbA* intergenic region and two in the *rpl*16 intron area. According to this obser‐ vation investigated samples of Caucasian *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. were divided into four different haplotypes: AAA, ATT, GTA and ATA [27]. For each haplo‐ type the first nucleotide represents single polymorphism at the *trnH-psbA* intergenic region and another two nucleotides at two targeted sites from *rpl16* intron area. The AAA haplo‐ type is restricted to East Georgia and Azerbaijan, the ATA haplotype is distributed random‐ ly across the entire study area, the ATT haplotype is distributed in the southern part of the

nean, Black and Caspian Sea Basins from Spain to Turkmenistan [25].

106 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

netic engineering.

**Figure 3.** The distribution of haplotypes in the SouthCaucasus.

The AAA haplotype is observed in both wild and cultivated (*V*. *vinifera* subsp. *vinifera*) grape samples from the Caucasus. This observation and the presence of all other plastid haplotypes observed in a previous study of worldwide set of grape cultivars highlight both unique and high levels of genetic variation in wild grape (*V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi.) from the greater Caucasus region.


**Table 1.** Sample information of sequenced samples from Azerbaijan

In Nabran forests of Guba-Khachmaz region black and dark purple coloured grape forms were found.

While exploring in Guba-Khachmaz region it was discovered that Guba region is enriched with wild grape. In forests of this region (Uzunmeshe, Alpan, Khujbala, Digah, Aghbil, Sus‐ ay Gishlag, Dallakand villages) along Guruchay, Gusarchay, Gudyalchay rivers lots of wild grape forms were found.

In forests of Khachmaz (Pir forest), Shaky (Oraban), Lankaran (Seligavul) and Gabala (Shon‐ gar) regions small seedy black-skinned wild grape varieties were also observed.

**Figure 4.** Samples of wild grapes in forest number 1 (Khachmaz d.)

On the banks of Kondalanchay River in Fuzuli region black, dark red and dark purple col‐ oured grape (seeded forms) were observed.

In general, more than 3000 samples of wild grapes were found in explored regions and phy‐ tocenotic features of their geographic areas were described.

In Azerbaijan while investigation of areal of wild grape – *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. it was determined that various forms of wild grape spread widely together with the following fruit-berry and forest plant varieties and species: medlar – *Mespilus ger‐ manica* L., cornel – *Cornus mas* L., walnut – *Juglans reqia* L., hazelnut – *Corylus avellana* L., pomegranate – *Punica granatum* L., chestnut – *Castanea sativa Mill*., quince – *Cydonia obonga* Mill., apricot – *Armeniaca vulgaris* Lam., caucasian hawthorn – *Crataegus caucasica* C. Koch., eastern hawthorn - *Crataegus orientalis* Pall., red hawthorn – *Crategus kyrtostyla* Fingerh., blackberry – *Rubus caucasicus* Fock*e*., sea buckthorn – *Hippophae rhamniodes* L., willow – *Salix* *caucasica* Andress., poplar – *Populus gracilis* A. Grassh., hornbeam – *Carpinus caucasica* A. Grossh., elm – *Ulmus foliaceae* Gilib., oak – *Quercus iverica* Stev., birch– *Acer campestre* L., *Pal‐ iurus spina Christi* Mill., tamarisk – *Tamarix ramosissima* Led., horse tail – *Equisetum* L., elder berry – *Sambucus nigra* L.

**Figure 5.** Sample of wild grape in Gabala (Shongar).

ay Gishlag, Dallakand villages) along Guruchay, Gusarchay, Gudyalchay rivers lots of wild

In forests of Khachmaz (Pir forest), Shaky (Oraban), Lankaran (Seligavul) and Gabala (Shon‐

On the banks of Kondalanchay River in Fuzuli region black, dark red and dark purple col‐

In general, more than 3000 samples of wild grapes were found in explored regions and phy‐

In Azerbaijan while investigation of areal of wild grape – *V.vinifera* L. subsp. *sylvestris* (C. C. Gmel.) Hegi. it was determined that various forms of wild grape spread widely together with the following fruit-berry and forest plant varieties and species: medlar – *Mespilus ger‐ manica* L., cornel – *Cornus mas* L., walnut – *Juglans reqia* L., hazelnut – *Corylus avellana* L., pomegranate – *Punica granatum* L., chestnut – *Castanea sativa Mill*., quince – *Cydonia obonga* Mill., apricot – *Armeniaca vulgaris* Lam., caucasian hawthorn – *Crataegus caucasica* C. Koch., eastern hawthorn - *Crataegus orientalis* Pall., red hawthorn – *Crategus kyrtostyla* Fingerh., blackberry – *Rubus caucasicus* Fock*e*., sea buckthorn – *Hippophae rhamniodes* L., willow – *Salix*

gar) regions small seedy black-skinned wild grape varieties were also observed.

**Figure 4.** Samples of wild grapes in forest number 1 (Khachmaz d.)

tocenotic features of their geographic areas were described.

oured grape (seeded forms) were observed.

grape forms were found.

108 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

It was determined that different populations of wild grape in our republic spread mainly in two formation - tugay (streamside forest) and typical broad-leaved forests. On the banks of Kungut River (Oraban village) of Sheki, Guruchay, Gusarchay, Gudyalchay rivers (Uzun‐ meshe, Alpan, Khujbala, Digah, Akbil, Susay Gishlag, Dallakand villages) of Guba region wild grapevines spread mainly in tugay forests densely and widely. But typical forest for‐ mation of wild grape was found in Agharehimoba, Godekli, Gimilgishlag, Gadashoba and Nerecan villages and forests (forest number 1, Pir forest) of Khachmaz region, Seligavul for‐ est of Lankaran region and Shongar spring of Gabala region.

Wild grape samples distinguish each other for their biomorphological traits. As a rule, male grapevines are strong, functional female grapevines are weak. All samples of wild grape can be divided into 4 groups for leaves size: very small (length up to 4,0-8,0 cm), small (length up to 8,0-12,0), medium (length 12,0-15,0 cm) and large leaved (length more than 15 cm). Most of studied varieties involved small and medium leaved group. Wild grape samples can be divided into 3 groups for leaves sub-sections: whole, medium and cross-section leaves. Some samples are covered with white net-shaped blooms, but in some cases lower leaf surfaces are bare. Samples are distinguished by leave margins. Sides are mainly sharp, triangular and round shaped. Stalk hollows are namely lira-shaped, but rarely sides are par‐ allel and bottoms are flat. Wild grape samples are two of two sexes, that is they have male or female flower groups [28].

Self-pollinated perfect flowered groups of wild grape samples were not observed. Accord‐ ing to some researchers' opinions, types of flower groups of wild grape are very important morphological trait for defining grape origin, because wild grape is divided into two sub‐ species. Bunch flowers of wild grape can be distinguished from each other through their forms, they are small or medium sized. As a rule, the bunch flowers of male grapevines are big and cone-shaped. But bunch flowers of female grapevines are small, cone-shaped-cylin‐ drical or cylinder-shaped.

Bunches of wild grape are small, the length being 7,0-13 cm and the width from 6-8 cm. There are 1-2 bunches on productive shoots. Bunches are mainly set on 3rd-5th churn-stuffs of new shoots. Skin of grape is black or reddish black. Seeds are oval-shaped. The surface is covered with a thick wax layer. Most wild grape varieties are resistant to mildew and oidi‐ um disease.

More famous local varieties of grapevine are cultivated in Absheron, Garabagh, Ganja-Gaz‐ akh, Shirvan, Guba-Khachmaz regions and Nakhchevan AR of Azerbaijan. Hundreds (accord‐ ing to some sources, more than 600) of landraces of grapevine are grown in the Republic. At the present time the total area of vineyards in Azerbaijan more than 16,000 hectares.

White, red, black and pink colored table, technical and seedless grapevine varieties:Agh sha‐ ni, Absheron, s gyzyl uzumu, Alvan, Amiri, Askari, Agh Sahibi, Agh Aldara, At uzum, Agh‐ ri, Arnaqrna, Bandi, Rishbaba, Chilal, Kishmishi, Tulkuguyrugu, Huseyni, Madrasa, Marmari, Qara Aldara, Qoc uzumu, Tabrizi, Molla Ahmadi, Novrast, Karimgandi, Durna gozu, Davagozu,Kechiamcayi, Khazri, Khalili, Gara shani, Gizil uzum, Chil uzum, Beylaga‐ ni, Kharci, Khan uzum, Pishras, Malayi, Mahmudabi, Misgali, Khindogny, Hafizeli, Hacha‐ bash, Haji Abbas, Hamashara, Sarigila, Shiray, Shirvanshahi, Shireyi, Shirshira, Shafeyi, Shakarbura, Shahangir, Shakari, Sisag and others are cultivated here. Most of them are only grown in definite areas and private courtyards by amateur gardeners [29,30].

A number of grape varieties in current use were the material resources of our ancestors. Each biomorphological trait of these varieties was selected corresponding with land and cli‐ matic condition of our republic. These varieties are named for their size, colour, view of bunches, form, taste and quality, as well as names of areas, villages and persons.

Ancient experience in grapevine cultivation allowed the Azeri to improve their secrets about vine care. Every viticultural technique is a product of local experience in different regions and historical periods. Each one has been adapted to the local conditions and this is why we have such a variety of training systems, like "Khiyaban", "Molla cheperi", "Keleser", "Seri‐ len forma", "Yarimgovs", "Chardak" and others.

High qualitative products-jams, "doshab", vinegar, "abgora", "sucuq", "kishmish", "mo‐ vuc", "lavashana", juice, syrup, vines, alcohol which made from grapevine in different re‐ gions of Azerbaijan show that grapevine-growing has developed expediently.

*From its colour* – Agh shani, Agh sahibi, Ala shani, Benovsheyi, Gara shani, Garagile, Girmizi chileyi, Goy gezendayi, Gara serme, Gizili, Mermeri uzum, and etc.

*From its quality, taste, aroma* – Gulabi, Kishmishi, Shekeri, Tembeyi, Shireyi, Kerimgendi and others.

*From its view, trunk size* – Gushureyi, Misgali, Tulkuguyrughu, Devegozu, Tulagozu, Kechi‐ memesi, Inekemceyi, Pishik uzum, Goyungozu, Ayiboghan, Gelinbarmaghi and others.

*From its skin thickness* – Dash uzum, Galingabig, Nazikgabig.

Wild grape samples distinguish each other for their biomorphological traits. As a rule, male grapevines are strong, functional female grapevines are weak. All samples of wild grape can be divided into 4 groups for leaves size: very small (length up to 4,0-8,0 cm), small (length up to 8,0-12,0), medium (length 12,0-15,0 cm) and large leaved (length more than 15 cm). Most of studied varieties involved small and medium leaved group. Wild grape samples can be divided into 3 groups for leaves sub-sections: whole, medium and cross-section leaves. Some samples are covered with white net-shaped blooms, but in some cases lower leaf surfaces are bare. Samples are distinguished by leave margins. Sides are mainly sharp, triangular and round shaped. Stalk hollows are namely lira-shaped, but rarely sides are par‐ allel and bottoms are flat. Wild grape samples are two of two sexes, that is they have male or

Self-pollinated perfect flowered groups of wild grape samples were not observed. Accord‐ ing to some researchers' opinions, types of flower groups of wild grape are very important morphological trait for defining grape origin, because wild grape is divided into two sub‐ species. Bunch flowers of wild grape can be distinguished from each other through their forms, they are small or medium sized. As a rule, the bunch flowers of male grapevines are big and cone-shaped. But bunch flowers of female grapevines are small, cone-shaped-cylin‐

Bunches of wild grape are small, the length being 7,0-13 cm and the width from 6-8 cm. There are 1-2 bunches on productive shoots. Bunches are mainly set on 3rd-5th churn-stuffs of new shoots. Skin of grape is black or reddish black. Seeds are oval-shaped. The surface is covered with a thick wax layer. Most wild grape varieties are resistant to mildew and oidi‐

More famous local varieties of grapevine are cultivated in Absheron, Garabagh, Ganja-Gaz‐ akh, Shirvan, Guba-Khachmaz regions and Nakhchevan AR of Azerbaijan. Hundreds (accord‐ ing to some sources, more than 600) of landraces of grapevine are grown in the Republic. At

White, red, black and pink colored table, technical and seedless grapevine varieties:Agh sha‐

ri, Arnaqrna, Bandi, Rishbaba, Chilal, Kishmishi, Tulkuguyrugu, Huseyni, Madrasa, Marmari, Qara Aldara, Qoc uzumu, Tabrizi, Molla Ahmadi, Novrast, Karimgandi, Durna gozu, Davagozu,Kechiamcayi, Khazri, Khalili, Gara shani, Gizil uzum, Chil uzum, Beylaga‐ ni, Kharci, Khan uzum, Pishras, Malayi, Mahmudabi, Misgali, Khindogny, Hafizeli, Hacha‐ bash, Haji Abbas, Hamashara, Sarigila, Shiray, Shirvanshahi, Shireyi, Shirshira, Shafeyi, Shakarbura, Shahangir, Shakari, Sisag and others are cultivated here. Most of them are only

A number of grape varieties in current use were the material resources of our ancestors. Each biomorphological trait of these varieties was selected corresponding with land and cli‐ matic condition of our republic. These varieties are named for their size, colour, view of

s gyzyl uzumu, Alvan, Amiri, Askari, Agh Sahibi, Agh Aldara, At uzum, Agh‐

the present time the total area of vineyards in Azerbaijan more than 16,000 hectares.

grown in definite areas and private courtyards by amateur gardeners [29,30].

bunches, form, taste and quality, as well as names of areas, villages and persons.

female flower groups [28].

110 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

drical or cylinder-shaped.

um disease.

ni, Absheron,

*From its seed size and bunch form* – Sapdadurmaz, Hachabash, Bendi.

*From names of villages and regions* – Beylegani, Tebrizi, Shabrani, Derbendi, Ordubadi, Shir‐ vanshahi, Tatli, Merendi, Medrese, Shakhtakhti, Nakhchivan gara uzumu, Beneniyari, Agh aldere, Zeyneddin uzumu.

*From producer's name* – Khelili, Huseyni, Asgari, Sekine xanum, Mukhtari, Jelali, Khatini, Khanimi, Meshedi Ali.

*From name of old tribes* – Khalaj variety in Mil-Mughan region.

Locally selected varieties of grape can be found outside their historical formation areas and today they are grown by amateur gardeners and in peasant-farmer households. These vari‐ eties are met in the following areas:

Absheron region – here approximately more than 50 valuable local grape varieties are grown. Agh shani, Gara shani, Ala shani, Sarigile, Haji Abbas, Khatuni, Pishraz, Gavangir, Goybendam, Rishbaba, Khalbasar, Absheron Gelinbarmaghi, Absheron Gizil uzumu, Gara gushureyi, Absheron kechiemceyi, Nadirgulu, Gara Derbendi, Salyani, Zabrat uzumu, Sir‐ keyi, Movuju, Gala kishmish, Shireyi, Turabi, Shabrani, Gaz khani, Merendil, Garachi, Seyid Amiri, Sebze, Mashtagha khatunisi, Yalanchi shani, Alimemmed, Gargha dili, Sikhsalkhim, Beledi, Gilami and other varieties are the most qualitative and valuable grape varieties.

Ganja-Gazakh region– Tebrizi, Bayanshire, Tatli, Khircha kishmish, Shal uzum.

Shirvan region– Medrese, Shirvanshahi, Devegozu, Shamakhi merendisi, Sisag, Khezri, Chil uzum, Kechiemceyi, Khan uzumu, At uzumu, Beylegani, Shekeri, Khungi, Elvan.

Guba-Khachmaz – (there are approximately 50 grape varieties) - Devechi Agh chileyisi, De‐ vechi giziluzumu, Shabrani, Chileyi, Girmizi chileyi, Derbendi, Khetmi, Khaldar.

Garabagh region – Amiri, Ari merendi, Gara merendi, Gushureyi, Aghdam giziluzumu, Zeynebi, Gul merendi, Aghdam kechiemceyi, Kal uzum, Aghdam khazarisi, Khindogni, At‐ merendi.

Nakhchivan AR – (more than 100 valuable grape varieties are cultivated) - Ayiboghan, Agh khalili, Agh uzum, Agh kurdeshi, Bendi, Girmizi Inekemceyi, Gara kurdeshi, Gara khalili, Gara shafeyi, Gizili sebze, Girmizi tayfi, Girmizi shafeyi, Girmizi huseyni, Inekemceyi, Ke‐ chiemceyi, Kehraba, Miskali, Nakhchivan girmizi shanisi, Nakhchivan agh tayfisi, Nakhchi‐ van gara shanisi, Nakhchivan gizil uzumu, Nakhchivan huseynisi, Nebi, Nekhshebi, Sari shafeyi, Khatinbarmaghi, Khatini, Hachabash, Gulabi, Abbasi, Agh aldere, Badamli, Batikh, Beneniyar, Talibi, Goyungozu, Durzali, Zeyneddin uzumu, Meshedi Ali, Narinjigile Pishik uzumu, Sari aldere, Sahibi, Teberze, Khanimi, Gara khazani, Shangirey, Hafizeli and others.

Up to the period of adoption of Islam the vine-growing was mainly developed in direction of wine-making, therefore technical varieties dominated in vineyards. At that time Medrese, Meleyi, Agh aldere, Gara uzum, Khetmi, Henegirna and other varieties were cultivated widely in these areas. After adoption of Islam wine-making was prohibited and cultivation of table grapes was stopped. In historical sources it was noted that in these areas lots of kish‐ mishi and table varieties had been cultivated. Some of them (Agh Shani, Gara Shani, Sarig‐ ile, Tebrizi, Kishmishi, Khelili, Kurdeshi, Bendi, Nahkchivan huseynisi, Misgali, Nakhchivan gizil uzumu, Shefeyi, Gulabi, Inekemceyi and other varieties) are national selec‐ tion samples of our ancestors. Different products such as dried raisins and movuc (dried grapes with seeds) were produced and even these products were exported to Near Eastern countries. Formerly, a number of grape varieties had been observed by travellers, merchants and these varieties had spread widely to other regions, several countries of the world and had been named with appropriate synonyms.

Physiological complete maturity period is a characteristic inherited for each variety. Variet‐ ies, clones and new forms studied in genefund are distinguished from each other by their maturing periods. It was determined by investigations that maturing periods of fruits of lo‐ cal grape varieties in Azerbaijan Republic can be divided into the following groups:

The earliest maturing (approximately 120 days) varieties: Girmizi huseyni, Agh khelili, Gara khelili, Agh kurdashi, Gara kurdashi;

Early maturing (120-130 days) varieties: Gara pishras, Salyani, Agh chileyi, Gara kishmishi, Gehveyi kishmishi, Yumrugile sari kishmishi;

Middle fast growing (131-140 days) varieties: Agh kishmishi, Nakhchivan huseynisi;

Middle growing (141-150 days) varieties: Agh Shani, Asgari, Beylagani, Gavangir, Gulabi, Gara shani, Sarigile, Fatmayi, Absheron gelinbarmaghi, Tebriz, Shireyi, Girmizi kishmishi, Xirdagile kishmishi, Sari shafeyi, Shekerbura;

Middle late maturing (161-170) varieties: Gavangir, Ala shani, Haji Abbas, Bendi, Goyben‐ dem, Julu merendi, Inekemceyi, Shamakhi merendisi, Girmizi shafeyi, Nakhchivan agh tay‐ fisi, Kechiemceyi, Gulabi, Bendi, Negshebi, Miskali, Nakhchivan gara shanisi, Hachabash, Khatinbarmaghi, Khezani, Meshedi Ali, Zeyneddin uzumu, Shangirey, Narinjigile, Henegir‐ na, Shakhtakhti, Jelali, Gara serme, Meleyi, Bilev uzumu, Ayiboghan, Khanimi, Hafizeli, Ta‐ libi, Mukhtari, Sari shireyi;

Garabagh region – Amiri, Ari merendi, Gara merendi, Gushureyi, Aghdam giziluzumu, Zeynebi, Gul merendi, Aghdam kechiemceyi, Kal uzum, Aghdam khazarisi, Khindogni, At‐

Nakhchivan AR – (more than 100 valuable grape varieties are cultivated) - Ayiboghan, Agh khalili, Agh uzum, Agh kurdeshi, Bendi, Girmizi Inekemceyi, Gara kurdeshi, Gara khalili, Gara shafeyi, Gizili sebze, Girmizi tayfi, Girmizi shafeyi, Girmizi huseyni, Inekemceyi, Ke‐ chiemceyi, Kehraba, Miskali, Nakhchivan girmizi shanisi, Nakhchivan agh tayfisi, Nakhchi‐ van gara shanisi, Nakhchivan gizil uzumu, Nakhchivan huseynisi, Nebi, Nekhshebi, Sari shafeyi, Khatinbarmaghi, Khatini, Hachabash, Gulabi, Abbasi, Agh aldere, Badamli, Batikh, Beneniyar, Talibi, Goyungozu, Durzali, Zeyneddin uzumu, Meshedi Ali, Narinjigile Pishik uzumu, Sari aldere, Sahibi, Teberze, Khanimi, Gara khazani, Shangirey, Hafizeli and others. Up to the period of adoption of Islam the vine-growing was mainly developed in direction of wine-making, therefore technical varieties dominated in vineyards. At that time Medrese, Meleyi, Agh aldere, Gara uzum, Khetmi, Henegirna and other varieties were cultivated widely in these areas. After adoption of Islam wine-making was prohibited and cultivation of table grapes was stopped. In historical sources it was noted that in these areas lots of kish‐ mishi and table varieties had been cultivated. Some of them (Agh Shani, Gara Shani, Sarig‐ ile, Tebrizi, Kishmishi, Khelili, Kurdeshi, Bendi, Nahkchivan huseynisi, Misgali, Nakhchivan gizil uzumu, Shefeyi, Gulabi, Inekemceyi and other varieties) are national selec‐ tion samples of our ancestors. Different products such as dried raisins and movuc (dried grapes with seeds) were produced and even these products were exported to Near Eastern countries. Formerly, a number of grape varieties had been observed by travellers, merchants and these varieties had spread widely to other regions, several countries of the world and

Physiological complete maturity period is a characteristic inherited for each variety. Variet‐ ies, clones and new forms studied in genefund are distinguished from each other by their maturing periods. It was determined by investigations that maturing periods of fruits of lo‐

The earliest maturing (approximately 120 days) varieties: Girmizi huseyni, Agh khelili, Gara

Early maturing (120-130 days) varieties: Gara pishras, Salyani, Agh chileyi, Gara kishmishi,

Middle growing (141-150 days) varieties: Agh Shani, Asgari, Beylagani, Gavangir, Gulabi, Gara shani, Sarigile, Fatmayi, Absheron gelinbarmaghi, Tebriz, Shireyi, Girmizi kishmishi,

Middle late maturing (161-170) varieties: Gavangir, Ala shani, Haji Abbas, Bendi, Goyben‐ dem, Julu merendi, Inekemceyi, Shamakhi merendisi, Girmizi shafeyi, Nakhchivan agh tay‐ fisi, Kechiemceyi, Gulabi, Bendi, Negshebi, Miskali, Nakhchivan gara shanisi, Hachabash, Khatinbarmaghi, Khezani, Meshedi Ali, Zeyneddin uzumu, Shangirey, Narinjigile, Henegir‐

cal grape varieties in Azerbaijan Republic can be divided into the following groups:

Middle fast growing (131-140 days) varieties: Agh kishmishi, Nakhchivan huseynisi;

merendi.

112 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

had been named with appropriate synonyms.

khelili, Agh kurdashi, Gara kurdashi;

Gehveyi kishmishi, Yumrugile sari kishmishi;

Xirdagile kishmishi, Sari shafeyi, Shekerbura;

The latest maturing (171 days and more) varieties: Agh derbendi, Devechi gizil uzumu, Khe‐ zeri, Kechiemceyi, Nakhchivan girmizi shanisi, Nakhchivan gizil uzumu, Khatini, Kehreba uzum, Agh uzum, Nebi, Gizili sebze, Beneniyar, Durzali, Sari aldere, Agh aldere, Goyungo‐ zu, Sahibi, Abbasi, Gara aldere, Batikh, Gara henegirna, Khetmi, Khanlari, Zalkha, Dash‐ gara, Rizagha, Agh uzum, Chol uzumu, Zereni gorasi, Nakhchivan gara uzumu, Girmizi henegirna, Goy uzum, Innabi, Khan uzumu, Agh kelenpur, Girmizi gemeri, Khalli uzum, Pishik uzumu, Badamli.

Existing local grape varieties are distinguished from each other by their usage in our Repub‐ lic. Here table, technical and universal varieties are known. Between them the table grape is more dominant.

Table grape varieties: These grape varieties are used fresh. Absheron gelinbarmaghi, Ab‐ sheron khatini, Absheron kechiemceyi, Absheron gizil uzumu, Agh gavra, Absheron meren‐ disi, Salyan uzumu, Shireyi, Agh kishmishi, Agh Beylagani, Khalaj, Khalbasar, Khan uzum, Aghdam khezerisi, Fatmayi, Gavangir, Haji Abbas, Gul merendi, Aghdam kechiemceyi, Agh goybendem, Gara kishmishi, Girmizi kishmishi, Gehveyi kishmishi, Yumrugile sari kishmishi, Mermeri, Sari aldere, Sarigile, Seyid Amiri, Siyezen agh uzumu, Shabrani, Sari kishmishi, Khirdagile sari kishmishi, Asgari, Ayiboghan, Agh khalili, Agh uzum, Agh kur‐ dashi, Bendi, Girmizi Inekemceyi, Gara kurdashi, Gara khelili, Gara shafeyi, Gizili sebze, Girmizi shafeyi, Girmizi chileyi, Girmizi kherji, Girmizi merendi, Girmizi huseyni, Inekem‐ ceyi, Kechiemceyi, Kehraba, Miskali, Nakhchivan girmizi shanisi, Nakhchivan agh tayfasi, Nakhchivan gara shanisi, Nakhchivan gara shanisi, Nakhchivan gizil uzumu, Nakhchivan huseynisi, Nebi, Nekhshebi, Sari shafeyi, Shamakhi merendisi, Khatinbarmaghi, Khatini, Gara salyan uzumu, Hachabash, Gulabi are table grapes.

Technical grape varieties: They are used in making different alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, total juice extract exceeds 75,0%. Arayatli gara uzum, Ari merendi, Bayanchire, Shir‐ vanshai, Medrese, Tatli, Aghdam gizil uzumu, Sherabi, Arazvari, Agh kelenpur, Hama‐ shara, Khindogni, Gara khatuni, Agh Almerdan, Bilev uzumu, Gara serme, Gara henegirna, Goch uzumu, Girmizi gemeri, Girmizi henegirna, Dashgara, Dagh uzumu, Dabbi gulabi, Je‐ lali, Zalkha, Zereni gorasi, Innabi, Mukhtari, Meleyi, Nakhchivan gara uzumu, Rizagha, Sari shireyi, Sari uzum, Gara aldere, Tulagozu, Talibi, Khalli uzum, Khan uzumu, Khanlari, Kherji, Khetmi, Chol uzumu, Shahtakhti, Shahangul, Shekerbura, Haji Ahmadi, Henegirna, Goy uzum are technical varieties.

**Figure 6.** Shamakhi merendisi

**Figure 7.** Gara henegirna

**Figure 8.** Agh Aldere

**Figure 6.** Shamakhi merendisi

114 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**Figure 7.** Gara henegirna

Universal varieties: These are both table and technical varieties distinguished by their bio‐ morphological and agrobiological traits. They ripen in different times and possess separate agrobiological parameters. These varieties are used fresh and for technical purposes. Abbasi, Agh aldere, Agh gulabi, Khungi, Gara merendi, Gara okuz gozu, Gara sebze, Boz merendi, Badamli, Batikh, Beneniyar, Talibi, Goyungozu, Durzali, Zeyneddin uzumu, Mehsedi Ali, Mahmudu, Narinjigile, Pishik uzumu, Sari aldere, Sahibi, Tabarza, Khanimi, Gara khazani, Shangirey, Shekerbura, Hafizeli are universal varieties.

Expeditions and investigations were implemented for the purpose of identification, collec‐ tion and inventory of local grape varieties in Azerbaijan. Areas of local grape varieties and wild grapevine expansion were found through expeditions and investigations, etiquette of grapevines were noted and their morphological-biological and immunological characteris‐ tics were determined and mechanical and chemical investigation (in lab condition) of yield were carried out.

During expeditions and studies arranged in Absheron region, Gavangir, Fatmayi, Haji Ab‐ bas, Sarigile, Absheron gelinbarmaghi and Ala shani table grape varieties were sampled fresh. Gavangir and Sarigile varieties exhibited higher juice extraction yield than others. Therefore doshab and grape juice are produced of them. It was known that bunches and seeds of these varieties are medium and large-sized and this is characteristic for table variet‐ ies. The biggest individual seeds belong to Absheron gelinbarmaghi (berries size – 18-23x16-22 mm), Haji Abbas (berries size - 20-26x19-24 mm), Ala shani (berries size – 16-24x15-23 mm) varieties. This preference was reflected on the weight of 100 individual grape seeds. Sweetness of individual seeds of grape was 17,2 (Gavangir) -27,9 gr/100 cm3 (Sarigile). Average weight of bunches was lower in Sarigile (170 gram) and Fatmayi (180 gram) varieties, in Absheron gelinbarmaghi (250 gram), Ala shani (240-278 gram), Haji Ab‐ bas (286 gram) was medium, but in Gavangir variety, average bunch weight was higher (386,4 gram) [28].


**Table 2.** Some morphological and technological traits of local grape varieties collected through expedition

It was known at the result of phenological observations that studied varieties ripen average‐ ly (Sarigile, Fatmayi, Absheron gelinbarmaghi) and lately (Gavangir, Haji Abbas, Ala shani) (table 2).

bas (286 gram) was medium, but in Gavangir variety, average bunch weight was higher

**Number of seeds**

**Weight of 1000 seeds, gr.**

13-27x8-14 27-35x19-20 96 527,8 441 15,2 6,41 152

6,4

**Average weight of bunches, gr.**

96 307 180,0 18,2 6,00 139

108 298,5 234,5 17,5 5,18 176

386,4 17,2 6,60 162

,46

3

162-168

146

**Sweetne ss of seeds, gr/ 100cm3**

**Seed acidit y gr/d m3**

**Vegetation period, day**

**Seeds size, mm**

 Agh Beylagani 18-22x11-15 18-23x17-22 104 266 276,0 19,6 4,62 166 Gelinbarmaghi 18-26x12-16 28-36x20-22 84 542 386,5 18,6 5,76 177 Nubari 8-17x5-8 10-15x10-15 52 216 126,8 15,9 6,05 120 Arı uzumu 11-21x7-10 15-17x15-16 102 224 200,0 19,2 5,70 146

5

5

10Gozel uzum 15-27x7-12 20-27x14-19 88 424 322 17,0 6,04 171 11Alikhanli kechimemesi 13-15x8-12 20-27x13-17 82 336 253 16,0 5,97 155 12Bey uzumu 17-28x12-15 23-28x18-21 130 421 564,8 17,5 5,15 155

2 Fatmayi 18-24x10-14 15-21x14-20 125 210 180,0 18,5 5,25 150

5 Absheron gelinbarmaghi 17-22x14-18 18-23x16-22 80 406 250 20,3 5,7 152 6 Ala shani 14-22x12-16 16-24x15-23 112 325 240-278 18,5 6,5 156

3 Haji Abbas 18-25x12-19 20-26x19-24 92 336 286,0 18,2-24,65,62-3

4 Sarigile 15-22x10-15 15-21x12-20 84 240 170,0 21,8-27,9 3,9-7,

**Table 2.** Some morphological and technological traits of local grape varieties collected through expedition

6 Agh Gavra 20-28x16-20 26-32x19-22 88 396 335 18,6 5,27 177 7 Surmeyi 16-26x11-15 22-26x15-18 72 423,7 210,6 16,2 5,89 147

**Bunches size, cm**

5 Arayatlı gara uzum 13-16x7-9 15-18x14,5-17,

9 Gizil uzum 18-21x7-8 15-18x14,5-17,

1 Gavangir 15-20x10-14 14-20x14-19 152 230,8-28

(386,4 gram) [28].

**№ Region and names of varieties**

116 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Garabagh-Mil region (Fuzuli, Beylagan region)

8 Fuzuli kechimemesi (Kehrabayi)

**Absheron region**

Agh shani is one of the oldest and most widely spread valuable table grape varieties of Azerbaijan. While investigating a population of Agh shani variety 4 variations in seed size/ shape were observed: – oblong; big seedy – grew in middle period; lately maturing, more and medium-sized seeds of grape; pea-shaped seeds. Through study of several morphologi‐ cal, biological and technological traits of noted variation, it was determined that they are sufficiently distinguished from each other for most of their parameters (table 3).


**Table 3.** Some morphological and agro-technological traits of variations of Agh shani variety

It was determined through immunological assessments of local grape varieties from Absher‐ on that they were resistant to oidium disease (2-2,5 points) and tolerant (3-3,5 points). The climate of Absheron is dry-subtropical and therefore in most cases development of mildew disease is not a major problem there. Thus mildew disease was not observed in evaluated varieties. At the result of observations it was known that Gavangir and Fatmayi (3-3,5 points), Haji Abbas, Sarigile, Absheron gelinbarmaghi, Ala shani varieties (2,5 point) were tolerant to grey rot disease (table 4).


**Table 4.** Resistance of local grape varieties to main fungus diseases on the natural background found through expedition, point

5 points –not more resistant

Of the 25 local and 2 introduced grape varieties that were found while exploring in Gara‐ bagh-Mil region, 12 of them were low spread local varieties. Agh Beylagani, Gelinbarmaghi, Nubari, Ari uzumu, Arayatli gara uzumu, Agh Gavra, Surmeyi, Fuzuli kechimemesi (Keh‐ rabayi), Gizil uzum, Alikhanli kechimemesi, Bey uzumu are the low spread local grape vari‐ eties. It was known during morphometric measurements that their bunches were medium (Nubari, Arayatli gara uzum, Alikhanli kechimemesi) and large-sized (Agh Beylagani, Gel‐ inbarmaghi, Agh Gavra, Surmeyi, Fuzuli kechimemesi, Gizil uzum, Gozel uzum, Bey uzu‐ mu). Separate seeds of studied varieties were different-coloured, formed, mainly small (Nubari), medium (Ari uzumu, Arayatli gara uzumu, Gizil uzum), large (Agh beylagani) and largest (Gelinbarmaghi, Agh gavra, Surmeyi, Fuzuli kechimemesi, Gozel uzum, Ali‐ khanli kechimemesi, Bey uzumu) sized (table 2).

climate of Absheron is dry-subtropical and therefore in most cases development of mildew disease is not a major problem there. Thus mildew disease was not observed in evaluated varieties. At the result of observations it was known that Gavangir and Fatmayi (3-3,5 points), Haji Abbas, Sarigile, Absheron gelinbarmaghi, Ala shani varieties (2,5 point) were

**№ Regions and varieties mildew oidium grey rot**

 Agh Beylagani 4 4 3 3 3 Gelinbarmaghi 4 4 3 3 3 Nubari 3 3 3 3 2,5 Ari uzumu 3 3 3 3 2,5 Arayatlı gara uzum 3,5 3,5 3 3 2,5 Agh Gavra 3 3 3 3 2,5 Surmeyi 2,5 2,5 3,5 3,5 5 Fuzuli kechimemesi 3 3 3 3 3 Gizil uzum 3,5 3,5 3,5 3,5 3,5 Gozel uzum 3,5 3,5 3 3 2,5 Alikhanli kechimemesi 3 3 3 3 2,5 Bey uzumu 3 3 3 3 2,5

 Gavangir 3 3 3 Fatmayi 2,5 2,5 3 Haji Abbas 3 3 2,5 Sarigile 3 3 2,5 Absheron gelinbarmaghi 2,5 2,5 2,5 Ala shani 2,5 2,5 2,5

**Table 4.** Resistance of local grape varieties to main fungus diseases on the natural background found through

**leave fruit leave fruit fruit**

tolerant to grey rot disease (table 4).

118 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**Garabagh-Mil region**

**Absheron region**

7 Note: 0-point-immune 1 point – more resistant 2-2,5 points - resistant 3-3,5 points - tolerant 4-4,5 points – not resistant 5 points –not more resistant

expedition, point

It was determined through phytopathological evaluation of above-mentioned varieties against mildew, oidium and grey rot diseases in natural situation that Agh Beylagani and Gelinbar‐ maghi varieties were not resistant to mildew disease (4 points), but showed average resist‐ ance (3 points) to oidium and grey rot diseases. Surmeyi variety was tolerant (3,5 points) to mildew and oidium diseases, but bunches were intolerant (5 points) to grey rot disease. Other varieties showed resistance (3-3,5 points) to mildew and oidium diseases. It was also de‐ fined that Nubari, Ari uzumu, Arayatli gara uzumu, Agh Gavra, Gozel uzum, Alikhanli kechimemesi, Bey uzumu varieties were resistant (2,5 points) to grey rot disease (table 4). Above-mentioned varieties are local and they are mainly used fresh. Agh Beylagani, Gelinbar‐ maghi, Agh Gavra, Fuzuli kechimemesi, Gozel uzum, Alikhanli kechimemesi, Bey uzumu can be stored for a long time and sometimes clusters are kept on grapevines till winter. Blackseeded Arayatli gara uzumu and Ari uzumu varieties possess high juice extraction and sweet‐ ness; therefore, red table wines are made of these varieties by local people [28].

Research studies on evaluation of biological-agricultural traits of grape varieties and forms (local, introduced) cultivated in ampelographic collection gardens and experimental fields were implemented. While evaluating disease and pests resistance of 74 studied varieties and forms, it was determined that a number of varieties were infected by oidium disease. Among them 17 varieties – Agh uzum, Fuzuli kechimemesi, Gara Asma, Parkent, Sari Kar‐ an, Oktyabrski, Vishnyoviy, Tozlayici, and others showed tolerance (3-3,5 points). Only Bayanshire variety was tolerant to mildew disease. 4 varieties and forms –Nakhchivan gula‐ bisi, Gara Nakhchivan Khatini, Kishmish Khishrau and form number 2 were resistant to pests and were less infected (1 point).

Salt and drought resistance of 25 table and seedless (kishmish) grape varieties were studied for their main physiological traits (stress depression of pigment complex in osmotic solution (sucrose 2% NaCL) in complete formation stage of leaves). It was known that studied variet‐ ies demonstrated different reaction to stress factors and plants showed unlike attitude to salt and drought. And it was possible to select resistant varieties on these bases. Experimentation yielded those varieties with sufficient salt and drought resistance were Gırmızı kishmish, Kishmish Yangiyer, Belqradskiy bessemyannıy, Qara Qushureyi, Ruşaki, Kishmish Batır, Zerefshan kishmishi, Kishmish Batır, Sarı kishmish, Gırmızı turkmen kishmishi varieties and these varieties were distinguished for non-stress depression in chlorophyll [31,32,33].

**Figure 9.** Changing the amount of chlorophyll in some grape varieties and forms of stress due to salinity and drought. 1.Gırmızı kishmish., 2.Zerefshan kishmishi., 3.Kishmish Yangiyer., 4.Ruşaki., 5.Polubessemyannıy., 6.İrtişar., 7.Bidane., 8.Vatkana., 9.Belqradskiy bessemyannıy., 10.Kishmish Xişrau., 11.Tezyetishen., 12.Kishmish Terakli., 13. Soqdiana., 14.Sarı kishmish., 15.Oktiyabiskiy., 16.Agh kishmish,. 17.Vishnyovıy., 18.Girde kishmish., 19.Form 21-18-36., 20.Gırmızı turkmen kishmishi., 22.Qara Qushureyi., 23.Kishmish Batır., 24. Samarkand kishmishi., 24.Vatkana-2., 25.Form 1.

It was defined that, since ancient times people had engaged with cultivation of new varieties and forms possessed different biological-agricultural traits. This tradition is also being con‐ tinued today. Though the abundance of grape varieties of traditional breeding in Azerbaijan Republic, selection of new, of highly productive varieties, with big berries, with a high bio‐ logically active substances in berries, with a valuable economic characteristics, resistant to pests and diseases, as well as to stressful environmental factors were continued and some results were obtained in this field.

#### **4. Conclusions**

For the purpose of collecting ancient naturally selected varieties and their wild relatives of grape, a number of expeditions were organized in different regions of our Republic, their areal was determined, biological-agricultural traits of collected varieties and forms were evaluated, and for the first time ampelographic descriptions of newly threatened varieties were given and collected varieties were certificated and included in database. Some phyto‐ pathological, immunological and physiological parameters of grape varieties conserved in collection were evaluated and new resistant varieties were selected. Collected materials were included in gene pool, enriching the collections. Taking into account economic efficien‐ cy the growing of above mentioned grape varieties can have great perspectives, not only in Azerbaijan, but also in countries with similar climatic conditions. Therefore conservation of plant genetic diversity of grapes existed in Azerbaijan Republic, selection of productive samples, evaluation and protection are one of the most important problems in modern time.

#### **Author details**

Mirza Musayev\* and Zeynal Akparov

\*Address all correspondence to: m\_musayev4@yahoo.com

Laboratory of Subtropical Plants and Grapevine, Genetic Resources Institute of the Azerbai‐ jan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan

#### **References**

**Figure 9.** Changing the amount of chlorophyll in some grape varieties and forms of stress due to salinity and drought. 1.Gırmızı kishmish., 2.Zerefshan kishmishi., 3.Kishmish Yangiyer., 4.Ruşaki., 5.Polubessemyannıy., 6.İrtişar., 7.Bidane., 8.Vatkana., 9.Belqradskiy bessemyannıy., 10.Kishmish Xişrau., 11.Tezyetishen., 12.Kishmish Terakli., 13. Soqdiana., 14.Sarı kishmish., 15.Oktiyabiskiy., 16.Agh kishmish,. 17.Vishnyovıy., 18.Girde kishmish., 19.Form 21-18-36., 20.Gırmızı turkmen kishmishi., 22.Qara Qushureyi., 23.Kishmish Batır., 24. Samarkand kishmishi., 24.Vatkana-2., 25.Form 1.

It was defined that, since ancient times people had engaged with cultivation of new varieties and forms possessed different biological-agricultural traits. This tradition is also being con‐ tinued today. Though the abundance of grape varieties of traditional breeding in Azerbaijan Republic, selection of new, of highly productive varieties, with big berries, with a high bio‐ logically active substances in berries, with a valuable economic characteristics, resistant to pests and diseases, as well as to stressful environmental factors were continued and some

For the purpose of collecting ancient naturally selected varieties and their wild relatives of grape, a number of expeditions were organized in different regions of our Republic, their areal was determined, biological-agricultural traits of collected varieties and forms were evaluated, and for the first time ampelographic descriptions of newly threatened varieties were given and collected varieties were certificated and included in database. Some phyto‐ pathological, immunological and physiological parameters of grape varieties conserved in collection were evaluated and new resistant varieties were selected. Collected materials were included in gene pool, enriching the collections. Taking into account economic efficien‐ cy the growing of above mentioned grape varieties can have great perspectives, not only in Azerbaijan, but also in countries with similar climatic conditions. Therefore conservation of plant genetic diversity of grapes existed in Azerbaijan Republic, selection of productive samples, evaluation and protection are one of the most important problems in modern time.

results were obtained in this field.

120 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**4. Conclusions**


Diversity in Wild Grape Samples (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris) from the Cauca‐ sus Region". Materials of XXXIV World Congress of Vine and Wine, Porto, Portugal,.

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[12] Makarov, S. N. (1964). Scientific basis of method of experimental work in viticulture.

[13] Morozova, G. (1987). Viticulture with the basics ampelography. M. Kolos, (in Russ),

[14] Prostoserdov, N. (1963). The study of grapes for determining its use. M., Food prom‐

[15] Smirnov, K, Kalmykova, T, Morozova, G, & 1987. Viticulture. M Agropromizdat in

[16] Chisinau, S. (1985). New methods of phytopathological and immunological studies

[17] Kushnirenko, M D, et al. (1976). Methods for assessing plant resistance to unfavora‐

[18] Udovenko, G. (1988). Diagnosis of plant resistance to stress. Leningrad, 22-46, in

[19] Lodhi, M. A, Ye, G, Weeden, N. F, Reisch, B. I, & 1994. A Simple and efficient method for DNA ex-traction from grapevine cultivars and Vitis species. *Plant Molecular Biolo‐*

[20] Schaal, B, Beck, J, Hsu, S, Beridze, C, Gamkrelidze, T, Gogniashvili, M, Pipia, M, Ta‐ bidze, I, This, V, Bacilieri, P, Gotsiridze, R, & Glonti, V. M. (2010). Plastid DNA se‐ quence diversity in a worldwide set of grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. vinifera). Abstracts of 10th International Conference on Grapevine Breeding and Ge‐

[21] Beridze, T, Pipia, I, Beck, J, Hsu, S-C, Gamkrelidze, M, Gogniashvili, M, Tabidze, V, This, P, Bacilieri, R, Gotsiridze, V, Glonti, M, & Schaal, B. (2011). Plastid DNA se‐ quence diversity in a worldwide set of grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L. subsp.

[23] Sauer, J. D. (1993). Historical Geography of Crop Plants. CRC Press, Boca. Raton

[24] Jackson, R. S. (1994). Wine Science Principles and Application. Academic Press New

[25] Arroyo-garcia, R, Ruiz-garcia, L, Bolling, L, Ocete, R, Lopez, M. A, Arnold, C, & Er‐ gul, A. (2006). Genetic evidence for multiple centers of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

[27] Pipia, I, Gogniashvili, M, Tabidze, V, Beridze, T, Gamkrelidze, M, Gotsiridze, V, Me‐ liyan, G, Musayev, M, Salimov, V, Beck, J, & Schaal, B. (2011). Plastid DNA Sequence

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### **Portuguese** *Vitis vinifera* **L. Germplasm: Accessing Its Diversity and Strategies for Conservation**

Jorge Cunha, Margarida Teixeira-Santos, João Brazão, Pedro Fevereiro and José Eduardo Eiras-Dias

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/52639

#### **1. Introduction**

#### **1.1. Economical, cultural and historical importance of grapevine in Portugal**

Grapevine (*Vitis vinifera* L.) is the most widely cultivated and economically important fruit crop in the world. In the different Portuguese agro-ecosystems, grapevine plays an impor‐ tant role either as a border culture or as an extensive crop. The surface area used by vine‐ yards amounts to 4.9 % of the arable land [1], representing 240,000 ha, being the 7th largest area in the world and the 4th in the European Union [2]. In 2011 Portugal produced 5.9 mil‐ lion hectoliters of which 2.9 million hectoliters were exported, making the country the 12th world wine producer [2]. There are fourteen wine regions with Protected Geographical Indi‐ cation (Figure 1) and 31 wine areas with Designation of Origin status including Porto, estab‐ lished since 1756, the oldest legally established wine production region in the world. Each one of the wine regions has a particular set of grapevine cultivars adapted to its specific *ter‐ roirs*. Officially there are 343 cultivars allowed to be use in wine production in Portugal [3].

Grapes were eaten by Neolithic and Bronze Age populations of the Iberian Peninsula since the 3rd millennium BCE as proven by archaeological remains [4, 5, 6]. Consumption and production of wine is thought to have started by the Iberian populations in contact with the Phoenicians and Greeks trading ports. It further expanded during the Roman occupation and reach important religious prominence with the Christianization of population. It even continued during the Muslim caliphate since part of the population maintain the Christian faith. After the 10th century convents and monasteries spread again grapevine cultivation and implemented new tools for wine production. Since the 12th century, Portugal produces

wine not only for local consumption but also for export, especially to northern Europe. This remote history of grapevine cultivation allowed the building up of great diversity. The num‐ ber of cultivars increased until the tree waves of destruction from North American pest and diseases: powdery mildew (*Uncinula necator* Schweinf. Burrill ) in 1851, phylloxera (*Dactylos‐ phaera vitifoliae* Fitch) in 1863 and downy mildew [*Plasmopara viticola* (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Berl & de Toni] in 1880. Until these severe pathological events grapevine was multiply sim‐ ply by self-rooting of cutting our seed germination. Since the introduction of phylloxera the use of rootstocks from hybrids of other *Vitis* species is mandatory, except in areas were the phylloxera cannot survive. Such a case occurs in the Designation of Origin Colares wine re‐ gion where the vineyards are settled in sandy soil and the roots are over tree meters deep. As early as the 19th century attempts to improve grape production result in a number of cul‐ tivars as Tinta do Aurélio (red cultivar selected by someone called "Aurélio"). However a truth breeding program to obtain new varieties was only started in the mid of the 20th cen‐ tury by José Leão Ferreira de Almeida and two of the obtain cultivars, Dona Maria (table grape) and Seara Nova (wine grape), occupy today a significant acreage [7]. The exact num‐ ber of cultivars in use is unknown but from the 340 allowed for wine production, 240 are thought to be autochthonous [ 8, 9].

**Figure 1.** Location of the Portuguese wine regions. (Source: Wines of Portugal - http://www.winesofportugal.info/ pagina.php?codNode=18012).

Traditionally morphological descriptors were used to characterize cultivars until the ad‐ vent of molecular markers. Presently these have been successfully used in a wide range of applications such as assessing genetic diversity [10], linkage mapping [11], cultivar identi‐ fication and pedigree studies [12], [13]. Microsatellites (SSR) are being used to character‐ ize grapevine cultivars and wild vines [10, 14] and to carry out genetic diversity analyses [15]. Usually six *loci* are sufficient for differentiating between genotypes [16], but closely related cultivars require a larger number of *loci* [17]. Sequence variation at the chloroplas‐ tidial *loci* has been extensively used to assess phylogenetic relationships among plant *taxa*, based on their low rate of sequence evolution, the almost absent recombination and sin‐ gle parent inheritance [18]. All this range of tools is useful to make decisions on the strat‐ egies for conservation.

#### **2. Diversity of the Portuguese grape germplasm**

wine not only for local consumption but also for export, especially to northern Europe. This remote history of grapevine cultivation allowed the building up of great diversity. The num‐ ber of cultivars increased until the tree waves of destruction from North American pest and diseases: powdery mildew (*Uncinula necator* Schweinf. Burrill ) in 1851, phylloxera (*Dactylos‐ phaera vitifoliae* Fitch) in 1863 and downy mildew [*Plasmopara viticola* (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Berl & de Toni] in 1880. Until these severe pathological events grapevine was multiply sim‐ ply by self-rooting of cutting our seed germination. Since the introduction of phylloxera the use of rootstocks from hybrids of other *Vitis* species is mandatory, except in areas were the phylloxera cannot survive. Such a case occurs in the Designation of Origin Colares wine re‐ gion where the vineyards are settled in sandy soil and the roots are over tree meters deep. As early as the 19th century attempts to improve grape production result in a number of cul‐ tivars as Tinta do Aurélio (red cultivar selected by someone called "Aurélio"). However a truth breeding program to obtain new varieties was only started in the mid of the 20th cen‐ tury by José Leão Ferreira de Almeida and two of the obtain cultivars, Dona Maria (table grape) and Seara Nova (wine grape), occupy today a significant acreage [7]. The exact num‐ ber of cultivars in use is unknown but from the 340 allowed for wine production, 240 are

**Figure 1.** Location of the Portuguese wine regions. (Source: Wines of Portugal - http://www.winesofportugal.info/

thought to be autochthonous [ 8, 9].

126 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

pagina.php?codNode=18012).

#### **2.1. Wild vine populations: Geographical distribution, morphological and molecular characterization**

Wild vine populations of *Vitis vinifera* L. subspecies *sylvestris* [(Gmelin) Hegi)] is closely re‐ lated to the cultivated grapevine (*Vitis vinifera* subsp. *vinifera*), first domesticated 10,000 years BP around the Caspian Sea [19]. In Portugal these wild vine populations are distribut‐ ed along riparian woods and flooded river banks in the southern part of the country in what is the most western habitats of this subspecies. From the Atlantic coasts of southwest Europe and northwest Africa this subspecies is distributed in patches adjacent to rivers along the Mediterranean basin, Central Europe and in Asia between the Black Sea and the Hindu Kush [20]. Once this subspecies occupied a larger area as a result of the its expansion after the last Quaternary glaciations [21, 22] but today´s remaining areas are refuges from human pressure and North-American pest and diseases introduced during the 19th century. Hu‐ man populations since the early settlements in the Iberian Peninsula collected and con‐ sumed wild grapes [6] and this resource continued to be used until the late 20th century in folk medicine [20].

The wild vine populations found up to now in Portugal live in riparian woods along small streams (Figure 2) belonging to three large river basins – Tagus (Tejo in Portu‐ guese), Guadiana and Sado (Table 1). The first two rivers are common to Portugal and Spain and the populations along these basins, even if found in patches, could be consid‐ ered as a continuum [23, 24].

In these riparian woods the plants species most frequently found as tutors of V*itis vinifera* L. ssp. *sylvestris* are: *Adenocarpus complicatus*, *Alnus glutinosa*, *Fraxinus angustifolia*, *Nerium ole‐ ander*, *Olea europea*, *Quercus faginea* subsp. *Broteroi*, *Quercus suber*, *Rubus ulmifolius*, *Salix atroc‐ inerea*, *Salix neotricha* and *Salix salvifolia* subsp. *salvifolia* [23, 25] . The thirteen populations found until now (Table 1) thrive in a typically Mediterranean environment. Fifty three plants belonging to four of these populations were characterized morphologically using the OIV [26] and GENRES-081 [27] descriptors [23, 28, 29].

**Figure 2.** *Vitis vinifera* subspecies *sylvestris* male plant from the São José/ Toutalga population in its natural habitat, a riparian forest along a small stream from the Guadiana river basin.


**Table 1.** *Vitis vinifera* ssp. *sylvestris* Portuguese populations data: River basin; geographic coordinates, elevation (in meters) estimated size of the population, and risk of extinction.

2

The characterized wild vine plants featured the particularly morphological characteristics of the subspecies *sylvestris*: i) open young shoots, which is a characteristic allowing to dif‐ ferentiate between *Vitis vinifera* and the other *Vitis* species and hybrids; ii) the presence of male and female plants in each population (dioecious plants) (hermaphrodite plants are rare in wild vine populations and the rule in cultivated grapevines); iii) Stummer's Index (breadth/length ratio x 100) [30] of pips is equal or greater than 75 in wild vines. The morphological characteristics of the leaves, shoots and bunches were used to distinguish different phenotypes in the field. Until now only blue black berries were found and the ratio of male to female plants varies from population to population [28]. The 53 different wild vine accessions collected were genotyped using the six nuclear microsatellites sug‐ gested by the OIV [31, 32]. The diversity founded in wild vine genotypes (Table 2) re‐ veals that the observed Heterozigocity (Ho) was less than the expected Heterozigocity (He) in all *loci*, confirming the result obtain in a different group of accessions from the same populations using a set of 11 SSRs [33] .


**Table 2.** Diversity obtained in 53 Portuguese wild vines: *locus*, accessions number (*N*), number of alleles (*Na*), number of effective alleles (*Ne*), observed Heterozygosity (Ho), expected Heterozygosity (*He*) and Fixation Index (*F*).

**Figure 2.** *Vitis vinifera* subspecies *sylvestris* male plant from the São José/ Toutalga population in its natural habitat, a

Série, Nº 226.

**Code Latitude Longitude Elevation** 

[3] Portaria nº 380/2012, de 22 de Novembro. Diário da Republica. 1<sup>a</sup>

**(meters)** 

**Estimated size of the population** 

**PopRisk**

Série, Nº

**Reference** 

PopRisk (survival risk of the population ): 1= No Risk; 3= Some Risk; 5= Medium Risk; 7= At Risk; 9= Extinct

**Table 1.** *Vitis vinifera* ssp. *sylvestris* Portuguese populations data: River basin; geographic coordinates, elevation (in

Sta Sofia - Montemor-o-Novo Tagus 01\*a 38°36'41''N 08°05'24''W 306 [30-40] 3 Pônsul - Castelo Branco Tagus 02\*a 39°45'16''N 07°26'06''W 119 [30-40] 7 Guadiana - Mourão Guadiana 03a 38°24'10''N 07°22'36''W 128 0 9 Vale do Guiso - Alcácer do Sal Sado 04\*a 38°14'46''N 08°22'30''W 49 [10-20] 3 Portel Guadiana 05\* 38°16'46''N 07°38'07''W 197 [20-30] 7 Ardila - Barrancos Guadiana 06 38°07'56''N 06°57'41''W 208 [20-30] 5 Vendinha - Évora Guadiana 07 38°27'18''N 07°41'02''W 163 [10-20] 5 Pintada - Montemor-o-Novo Tagus 08 38°37'59''N 08°11'31''W 204 [10-20] 5 Fronteira Tagus 09 39°02'38''N 07°42'14''W 93 [10-20] 5 Anta do Silval - Évora Tagus 10 38°36'45''N 08°03'29''W 292 <10 5 Q. do Pinheiro - Montemor-o-Novo Tagus 11 38°37'58''N 08°10'31''W 234 [20-30] 5 S.José/Toutalga - Moura Guadiana 12 38°02'37''N 07°15'54''W 176 [20-30] 5 Enxota tordos - Grândola Sado 13 38°13'27''N 08°30'22''W 34 >50 3

2

riparian forest along a small stream from the Guadiana river basin.

**basin** 

\* Wild populations studied by [28, 29]/ a Wild populations studied by [33]

meters) estimated size of the population, and risk of extinction.

**<sup>17</sup>**1 [3] Portaria nº, 428/2000 de 17 de Julho. Diário da Republica. 1<sup>a</sup>

128 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

163.

New Table 1 (see below)

**Population River** 

The values of the Fixation Index (F) range from 0.005 to 0.28, showing the existence of in‐ breeding in some wild vine populations, since F is expected to be close to zero under ran‐ dom mating [34].

An Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) performed on the same molecular data showed that the genetic diversity was attributable to differences among individuals within populations (93.0%), but Fst values among populations are still significant (*Fst* = 0.071; P, 0.001), showing a low inter-population differentiation (Table 3). The morphological and mo‐ lecular data confirmed that some of the collected plants were clones due to vegetative prop‐ agation (asexual propagation), but that the majority were different genotypes arising from seeds (sexual propagation).

Chloroplastidial microsatellites (cpSSRs) have been used to study the genetic relationships among grapevine cultivars [35], wild vines [36] and relations between both subspecies [37, 38 ]. Analysis of chloropastidial microsatellites (Figure 3) revealed the expected situation for the Iberian Peninsula [37] with the presence of chlorotypes A and B, being chlorotype A the most frequent within the wild vine populations (66%) of Portugal.


**Table 3. A**MOVA analyses of six nuclear microsatellites data of 53 Portuguese wild vines on four distinct Southern Portuguese populations.

**Figure 3.** Chlorotypes identified in each Portuguese wild vine population. Chlorotype nomination according to [37].

Chlorotype A is the most frequent in Western Europe and absent in Near East where the do‐ mestication of *Vitis vinifera* occurred. The distribution of chlorotypes in four Southern Portu‐ guese populations is heterogeneous. Only chlorotype A was found in plants of the population of Sta Sofia – Montemor-o-Novo. In the populations of Vale do Guiso - Alcácer do Sal, Pônsul – Castelo Branco and Portel both A and B chlorotypes were found but with distributions of 91.6%, 18% and 62.5% of chlorotype B respectively (Figure 3).

#### **2.2. Cultivated grapevine: Morphological and molecular diversity**

**Variance component Degrees of** 

Portuguese populations.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

100

0

130 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**freedom**

**Total** 105 215.1 2.09

82

18

**Among Populations** 3 17.0 0.15 7% **Within Populations** 102 198.1 1.94 93%

Fixation index (Fst) 0.071 (P<0.001)

**Table 3. A**MOVA analyses of six nuclear microsatellites data of 53 Portuguese wild vines on four distinct Southern

**Sum of Squares**

8.4

Pop 01 Pop 02 Pop 04 Pop 05 TOTAL Chlorotype A Chlorotype B

**Figure 3.** Chlorotypes identified in each Portuguese wild vine population. Chlorotype nomination according to [37].

Chlorotype A is the most frequent in Western Europe and absent in Near East where the do‐ mestication of *Vitis vinifera* occurred. The distribution of chlorotypes in four Southern Portu‐ guese populations is heterogeneous. Only chlorotype A was found in plants of the population of Sta Sofia – Montemor-o-Novo. In the populations of Vale do Guiso - Alcácer

91.6

37.5

62.5

66

34

**Variance components**

**Percentage of variation**

> Portugal, a small country on the outer edge of Europe, has nonetheless a very rich diversity of grapevine cultivars build up over the centuries and back to the 19th century, 1482 differ‐ ent cultivar names were known. To organize the disarray that the different names caused to the wine sector the Ministry of Agriculture promoted a program to sort out the synonyms and homonyms using morphological descriptions [39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49]. Before Portugal joined the EEC (European Economic Community) in 1986, the Ministry of Agriculture finally drew up a list of "authorized" and "recommended" grapevine cultivars for each and every wine production areas (Figure 1). These efforts lead to the establishment of the Portuguese National Ampelografic Collection (in Portuguese "Coleção Ampelográfica Nacional" – CAN; international code PRT051) in 1988 after an extensive survey and collec‐ tion of accessions all over the country. All CAN accessions were grafted into SO4 rootstock and each access is represented by seven plants from the same original mother plant. This collection holds 691 accessions of *Vitis vinifera* ssp. *vinifera*; 30 accessions of *Vitis vinifera* ssp. *sylvestris*; 24 accessions of rootstocks and nine of other *Vitis* species. The sanitary status of the collection was also assessed for the principal viruses of grapevine (*Arabis* mosaic virus (ArMV), grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), grapevine fleck virus (GFKV), grapevine leafroll associated viruses 1, 2, 3 and 7 (GLRaV 1, 2, 3 and 7) grapevine virus A (GVA) and grape‐ vine virus B (GVB) [50].

> The molecular characterization of the Portuguese grapevine cultivars was initiated in 1999 by Lopes and collaborators and a number of known synonyms and homonyms as well as pedigrees were confirmed [51, 52, 53]. A systematic characterization of all the 340 varieties admitted for wine production in Portugal, including 243 autochthonous grape cultivars (Ta‐ ble 4) was done with the six nuclear SSRs recommended by OIV [ 8, 9]. These studies come to prove the synonyms and homonyms that previous morphologic description had estab‐ lished in the past and also allowed the finding out of new ones.

> The diversity present in the 243 autochthonous grapevine cultivars analyzed based on the six nuclear SSRs genetic markers (Table 5) reveals that the observed Heterozigocity (*Ho*) was slightly higher than the expected Heterozigocity (*He*) in all *loci*. The Fixation Index (*F*) is negative for all *loci*, indicating an excess of Heterozigocity, probably due to the strong barri‐ er caused by the vegetative propagation commonly used in grapevine.

> Four chlorotypes (A, B, C and D) were found in the autochthonous grapevine cultivars so far genotyped (roughly one quarter of the 243) (Figure 4). Chlorotype A is the most frequent, and it is present in 75% of the cultivars, followed by chlorotype D with 19%. Chlorotypes B and C are each present in a very restricted number of cultivars [29, 32, 37]. These results support the presumption that most of the Portuguese cultivated grapevine germplasm may have derived from local domestication, but that some are the result of introgressed with for‐ eign material as exemplified by important wine cultivars like Touriga Franca and Trinca‐ deira that show the presence of the D chlorotype.



**Access** 

*Continued*

**number Grape cultivar Origin**

The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**Access** 

 Seara Nova E.A.N. 41703 Malvasia Preta Roxa Douro. Assaraky E.A.N. 41705 Roxo de Vila Flor R Douro. Promissão Douro. 41702 Gouveio Roxo Douro. 40502 Branco Valente B Douro. 41707 Deliciosa E.A.N. Sercial Madeira. 41708 Bastardo Roxo Douro. 40603 Malvasia Babosa B Madeira. 41709 Donzelinho Roxo Douro. Malvasia São Jorge Madeira. 41806 Campanário E.A.N. Granho Alentejo. 50104 Ferral unknown Tinta Aurélio Douro. 50201 Complexa E.A.N. 40701 Alvarinho Lilaz B E.A.N. 50216 Terrantez do Pico Pico - Açores. Castália E.A.N. 50218 Arintaçor Terceira - Açores.

 Naia E.A.N. 50309 Castelo Branco E.A.N. 40704 Malvasia de Oeiras B E.A.N. 50314 Branca de Anadia E.A.N. Cornichon Alentejo. 50317 Verdelho Açores. Generosa E.A.N. 50602 Tinta Martins Douro. Rio Grande E.A.N. 50604 Tinta Mesquita Douro. Pé Comprido Douro. 50605 Português Azul Douro. Esganinho Vinhos Verdes. 50607 Tinta Gorda N Douro. Branco Gouvães Douro. 50608 Tinta Malandra N Douro. Branco Desconhecido Douro. 50611 Lameiro Vinhos Verdes. Branjo Vinhos Verdes. 50615 Água Santa E.A.N. Galego Vinhos Verdes. 50616 Gouveio Real Douro. Labrusco Vinhos Verdes. 50617 Gouveio Estimado Douro. Melhorio Vinhos Verdes. 50702 Mondet Douro. Transâncora Vinhos Verdes. 50703 Tinta Aguiar Douro. Verdial Tinto Douro. 50705 Touriga Fêmea Douro. Alvarelhão Ceitão Douro. 50706 Tinta Miúda de Fontes N Douro. Moscatel Galego Tinto Douro. 50707 Tinta Roseira N Douro. 41302 Barreto de Semente T Douro. 50708 Lourela Douro. Casteloa Douro. 50802 Gonçalo Pires Douro. Farinheira Douro. 50806 Padeiro de Basto N Vinhos Verdes. Gouveio Preto Douro. 50807 Tinta Pomar Douro. Mourisco de Trevões Douro. 50808 Tinta Varejoa N Douro. 41309 Tinta Melra T Douro. 50901 Casculho Douro. 41502 Alentejana N E.A.N. 50902 Concieira Douro. Lusitano E.A.N. 50904 Doçal Vinhos Verdes. 41504 Tinta de Alcobaça N E.A.N. 50905 Doçal de Refoios N Douro. Agronómica E.A.N. 50907 Tinta Pereira Douro. 41508 Portalegre N E.A.N. 50909 Malvasia Trigueira R Douro. Triunfo E.A.N. 50912 Malvasia Branca Açores. 41601 Monvedro de Sines N Sines 50914 Caracol Madeira. Manteúdo Preto Alentejo. 50915 Esganoso Vinhos Verdes. Listrão Madeira. 50916 Mourisco Branco Douro. Mindelo E.A.N. 50917 Rabigato Moreno Douro.

**number Grape cultivar Origin**


**Table 4.** Autochthonous grapevine cultivars used in wine production in Portugal: Access number in the PRT051 collection, name of the grapevine cultivar, origin of grapevine accession.

Portuguese *Vitis vinifera* L. Germplasm: Accessing Its Diversity and Strategies for Conservation http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/52639 135


 Santareno Douro. 52908 Amaral Vinhos Verdes. Donzelinho Tinto Douro. 52913 Galego Dourado Estremadura Donzelinho Branco Douro. 53006 Trincadeira Douro. 52309 Boal Ratinho B Estremadura 53013 Malvasia Rei Douro. Avesso Vinhos Verdes. 53015 Moscatel Nunes Setúbal. Arinto Bucelas. 53102 Primavera E.A.N. Almafra Estremadura 53103 Cabinda E.A.N. Fonte Cal Beira Interior. 53106 Castelão Ribatejo. Antão Vaz Alentejo. 53204 Amostrinha Estremadura Camarate Estremadura 53205 Malvasia Preta Douro. Barcelo Dão. 53206 Valbom E.A.N. Cerceal Branco Douro. 53207 Alvarelhão Dão. Cercial Bairrada. 53307 Tinto Cão Douro. Tinta Francisca Douro. 53308 Malvarisco Setúbal. Jaen Dão. 53312 Marquinhas E.A.N. 52505 Benfica N E.A.N. 53407 Mulata E.A.N. Tinto Pegões E.A.N. 53806 Roal Setúbal. Batoca Vinhos Verdes. 53807 Teinturier Estremadura

134 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

 Malvasia Fina Douro. 54006 Almenhaca \* Diagalves Estremadura 54007 Alvar \* Jampal Estremadura 54008 Alvar Roxo \* Carrasquenho Estremadura 54009 Arinto Roxo \* Baga Bairrada. 54010 Boal Barreiro \* Malvasia Fina Roxa Dão. 54011 Branco João \* Vital Estremadura 54012 Cainho \* Castelão Branco Estremadura 54013 Calrão \* Parreira Matias Estremadura 54015 Corval \* Preto Cardana Ribatejo. 54016 Crato Espanhol \* Castelino Estremadura 54017 Esgana Cão Tinto \* Folgasão Roxo Beira Interior. 54018 Galego Rosado \* Folgasão Douro. 54019 Leira \* Trajadura Vinhos Verdes. 54020 Malvasia Romana \* Malvasia Estremadura 54021 Malvia \* Viosinho Douro. 54022 Perigó \* Bastardo Douro. 54023 Pero Pinhão \* Borraçal Vinhos Verdes. 54025 Pexem \* Azal Vinhos Verdes. 54026 Rabo de Lobo \* Fernão Pires Bairrada. 54027 Santoal \* Fernão Pires Rosado Ribatejo. 54028 Zé do Telheiro \* Carrega Burros Ribatejo. 54029 Tinta \* Rabo de Anho Vinhos Verdes. 54030 Tinto Sem Nome \* Espadeiro Vinhos Verdes. 54031 Valveirinho \* Tinta Barroca Douro. 54032 Verdial Branco \* Tinta Grossa Alentejo. 54033 Xara \*

**Table 4.** Autochthonous grapevine cultivars used in wine production in Portugal: Access number in the PRT051

collection, name of the grapevine cultivar, origin of grapevine accession.

\* Recent Introduction in PRT051

**Table 5.** Analyses of diversity in 243 Portuguese autochthonous cultivars: *locus*, accessions (*N*), number of alleles (*Na*), number of effective alleles (*Ne*), observed Heterozygosity (*Ho*), expected Heterozygosity (*He*) and Fixation Index (*F*).

**Figure 4.** Chlorotypes of the Portuguese autochthonous grapevine cultivars. Chlorotype nomination according to [37].

The obtained results reinforce the suggestion that the Iberian Peninsula was a secondary center for grapevine domestication [37] despite the initial contribution of the Eastern gene pool some 3000 years ago and the more recent introgression from materials coming from central Europe.

Since 1978 a network of public and private associations lead by Antero Martins carried out an extensive work aiming at quantifying the intravarietal genetic variability within each of 45 Portuguese grapevine cultivars [54]. The static methods used were recently reviewed in [55]. These studies lead to the selection of a number of clones from Portuguese cultivars. In parallel and using the Geisenheim method of grapevine selection, a private nursery leaded by Jorge Böhm also selected a number of clones. Both groups registered a total of 122 clones from 27 different cultivars in the national grapevine catalogue (Table 6).


 Plansel/ JBP - Plansel (Wine and Nursery Company) / Jorge Böhm Plansel UTL/ISA – Universidade Técnica de Lisboa / Instituto Superior de Agronomia INIAV/ EAN – Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária/ Estação Agronómica Nacional

**Table 6.** List of the certified Portuguese clones of grapevine cultivars.

#### **2.3. Overall diversity of the Portuguese grapevine germplasm**

Plansel UTL INIAV clones JBP clones ISA clones EAN

Obtainers

Aragonez T 106; 110; 111; 114; 117 54; 55; 56; 57; 58; 59; 60 Arinto B 34; 35; 107 36; 37; 38; 39; 40

Fernão Pires B 1 68; 69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74

Síria B 75; 76; 77; 78; 79; 80

Trincadeira T 6; 7; 8; 109 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15

INIAV/ EAN – Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária/ Estação Agronómica

Castelão T 5; 25; 26 29; 30; 31; 32; 33

Alfrocheiro T 41

136 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Variety

Antão Vaz B 50

Bastardo T 48 Bical B 119

Cerceal Branco B 120

Moreto T 51 Perrum B 128 Sercial B 49; 105

Tinta Barroca T 9; 129 Tinta Caiada T 115; 116; 118

Trincadeira das Pratas B 124; 125; 126

Touriga Franca T 24

Viosinho B 53 PE 1103 P 4 PE 110 R 2 PE 140 Ru 113 PE 99 R 3 3

Nacional

Gouveio B 121; 122; 123

Alvarinho B 42; 43 44; 45; 46; 47

Jaen T 91; 92; 93; 94; 95; 96; 97 Loureiro B 81; 82; 83; 84; 85

Touriga Nacional T 16; 108; 112 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23 Trajadura B 86; 87; 88; 89; 90

Vinhão T 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67

 Plansel/ JBP - Plansel (Wine and Nursery Company) / Jorge Böhm Plansel UTL/ISA – Universidade Técnica de Lisboa / Instituto Superior de Agronomia

**Table 6.** List of the certified Portuguese clones of grapevine cultivars.

Malvasia Fina B 127 98; 99; 100; 101; 102; 103; 104

Portuguese wild vine populations are in an apparent geographic fringe of the species distribu‐ tion but the country richness in cultivar diversity [8, 9] and the importance in allele contribu‐ tion to the overall diversity of grapevine [56] tell another story. Figure 5 represents a Principal Coordinate Analysis of the diversity computed with the six nuclear SSRs used to genotype the 243 autochthonous cultivars and 53 wild vines, calculated with the program GenAlex6 [57] The two first coordinates represent 44.12% (1st coordinate - 24.08% and 2nd coordinate - 20.04%) of the total variance. Both subspecies are spread between the four quadrants although most wild vines are in the right quadrants. Even the plausible occurrence of feral forms cannot explain the overall dotting of the four quadrants since the alleles found in the wild vines population in‐ clude private and particular alleles (data from [32]). When a Multiple Discriminant Analysis was used to assign the accessions to the different wild vine populations or to the cultivated group, most plants were correctly assigned and only three wild vines were assigned to the *vin‐ ifera* subspecies. On the other hand eight cultivars were assigned to the *sylvestris* subspecies [58]. This seems to corroborate the assumption that the part of the Portuguese germplasm was locally domesticated and contributes to the hypothesis that the Iberian Peninsula has been a secondary center for grapevine domestication [37].

**Figure 5.** Scatter plot of a Principal Coordinate Analysis of six microsatellite loci from 243 Portuguese grapevine culti‐ vars (GC, in green) and 53 wild vines (WV, in red) from four Portuguese populations.

#### **3. The present situation of germplasm conservation in Portugal**

Different strategies are needed to preserve the germplasm of the two grapevine subspecies. One obvious strategy is to maintain the natural habitats where the wild vines are present and keep them subjected to the selection pressures of the natural environment. For the culti‐ vated subspecies the ideal situations should be maintaining the agro-systems where its di‐ versity was buildup. However these *in situ* dynamic strategies must be accompanied by more static *ex situ* strategies, since natural habitats undergo a number of hazards and even the risk of disappearance, and today's commercial agro-systems tend to rely in a very small number of genotypes. Knowledge of the available diversity by multiple tools as reported above is the first step to decide on the strategies of conservation.

*In situ* conservation of wild vines populations is the leading choice to be considerate. There are a number of different problems that arise from this option: the land ownership where the plants subsist; the legal protection status of the subspecies; natural hazards, like fire; hazards caused by humans, like brutal cleaning of river banks; etc. Most of the populations are located in private owned land even when situated in areas where there is some kind of legal environment protection (populations 02 and 12). The first approach is to contact the land owner and explain the importance of wild vine populations and of the riparian habi‐ tats. In Portugal all contacted owners were willing to cooperate in the process of preserving the populations and some were even enthusiastic. Any major occurrence is usually reported like river bank cleaning or fire. Another important action is to contact the municipal authori‐ ties responsible for stream cleaning in order to adjust their actions to protect the riparian habitat. A good outcome of this policy was the case when the area where the population 04 inhabits was clean under the supervision of trained staff. Despite the positive results of these approaches some situations prove to be out of hand like the building of a dam, floods and fire. Population 03 was destroyed due to the construction of the Alqueva dam and part of population 12 was uprooted due to severe flooding. Populations 02 suffered a major fire in its habitat although with little loss in the total number of plants that recovered subse‐ quently. To prevent the loss of the existing diversity an *ex situ* collection was started in 2005 at the CAN location (PRT051) with thirty wild vine accessions from three populations. Plants from other populations have been added to this collection.

Even though some European countries like France and Germany have a legal protection sta‐ tus for the subspecies *sylvestris*, in Portugal no such protection exists. An formal require‐ ment was sent to the Portuguese agency for wildlife protection to establish a similar protected status for the Portuguese populations of *Vitis vinifera* subspecies *sylvestris* based on the information described in the previous sections.

Until the middle of the 20th century, most Portuguese farmers used to grow a mixture of vine cultivars as a way to overcome the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses but this situation was became increasingly rare and the vineyards are now mostly monovarietal. Nevertheless a recent report on *in farm* conservation, still found a considerable diversity in cultivated vineyards [59]. This is particularly observed when there is a weak relationship between the owner and the wine market, and a farm agro-ecological heterogeneity [59]. Today world‐ wide viticulture relies in a very restricted number of cultivars an even in a country like Por‐ tugal that has not abandoned its autochthonous cultivars, only 25 cultivars are planted in 80% of the new vineyards. The majority of the ancient cultivars is thus neglected and needs to be preserved *ex situ*.

*Ex situ* collection of grapevine cultivars were settled initially in the 19th century after the ar‐ rival in Europe of *Dactylosphaera vitifoli*ae in order to be post philoxera repositories of local cultivars. Today two types of collections exist in Portugal: typical ampelographic collections (Table 7) and collections with a large number of different accessions of the same cultivar. These later were established as a result of a grapevine selection group network leaded by Antero Martins and today managed by PORVID - a public/private consortium. The method‐ ology used to establish these collections was recently reviewed in [55].

and keep them subjected to the selection pressures of the natural environment. For the culti‐ vated subspecies the ideal situations should be maintaining the agro-systems where its di‐ versity was buildup. However these *in situ* dynamic strategies must be accompanied by more static *ex situ* strategies, since natural habitats undergo a number of hazards and even the risk of disappearance, and today's commercial agro-systems tend to rely in a very small number of genotypes. Knowledge of the available diversity by multiple tools as reported

*In situ* conservation of wild vines populations is the leading choice to be considerate. There are a number of different problems that arise from this option: the land ownership where the plants subsist; the legal protection status of the subspecies; natural hazards, like fire; hazards caused by humans, like brutal cleaning of river banks; etc. Most of the populations are located in private owned land even when situated in areas where there is some kind of legal environment protection (populations 02 and 12). The first approach is to contact the land owner and explain the importance of wild vine populations and of the riparian habi‐ tats. In Portugal all contacted owners were willing to cooperate in the process of preserving the populations and some were even enthusiastic. Any major occurrence is usually reported like river bank cleaning or fire. Another important action is to contact the municipal authori‐ ties responsible for stream cleaning in order to adjust their actions to protect the riparian habitat. A good outcome of this policy was the case when the area where the population 04 inhabits was clean under the supervision of trained staff. Despite the positive results of these approaches some situations prove to be out of hand like the building of a dam, floods and fire. Population 03 was destroyed due to the construction of the Alqueva dam and part of population 12 was uprooted due to severe flooding. Populations 02 suffered a major fire in its habitat although with little loss in the total number of plants that recovered subse‐ quently. To prevent the loss of the existing diversity an *ex situ* collection was started in 2005 at the CAN location (PRT051) with thirty wild vine accessions from three populations.

Even though some European countries like France and Germany have a legal protection sta‐ tus for the subspecies *sylvestris*, in Portugal no such protection exists. An formal require‐ ment was sent to the Portuguese agency for wildlife protection to establish a similar protected status for the Portuguese populations of *Vitis vinifera* subspecies *sylvestris* based

Until the middle of the 20th century, most Portuguese farmers used to grow a mixture of vine cultivars as a way to overcome the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses but this situation was became increasingly rare and the vineyards are now mostly monovarietal. Nevertheless a recent report on *in farm* conservation, still found a considerable diversity in cultivated vineyards [59]. This is particularly observed when there is a weak relationship between the owner and the wine market, and a farm agro-ecological heterogeneity [59]. Today world‐ wide viticulture relies in a very restricted number of cultivars an even in a country like Por‐ tugal that has not abandoned its autochthonous cultivars, only 25 cultivars are planted in 80% of the new vineyards. The majority of the ancient cultivars is thus neglected and needs

above is the first step to decide on the strategies of conservation.

138 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Plants from other populations have been added to this collection.

on the information described in the previous sections.

to be preserved *ex situ*.


**Table 7.** National and regional public and private ampelographic collections existing today.

The existing collections continue to perform several functions. These functions were initially related to the characterization and identification of cultivars using classic ampelography in‐ cluding: i) standardization of the morphological descriptors of *Vitis*; ii) morphological de‐

3

scription of the cultivars iii) production of illustrate catalogues of cultivars iv) and sorting out synonyms and homonyms. These roles have evolved with the availability of new tools particularly the use of molecular markers that allowed the confirmation of suspected pedi‐ grees and finding unsuspected ones. It also allowed tracing the remote history of grapevine domestication including the existence of several secondary domestication centers. The avail‐ ability in one location of large number of genotypes of a highly heterozygous species also allow the development of genetic association studies like the one developed by Cardoso [60] that establish a candidate gene association with berry colour and anthocyanin content in 149 red and rose grapevine cultivars. Field performance of large numbers of cultivars in one spot as is the case of Esporão collection (Table 7) will help in the decision of what cultivar to plant and how to develop new wine types on the climate change scenario. Finnaly, morpho‐ logical, molecular and field performance data will be useful in establishing core collections aiming a better management of the germplasm available.

#### **Acknowledgements**

This work was funded by: "Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia" (SFRH/BPD/ 74895/2010) and "Ministério da Agricultura, do Mar, do Ambiente e do Ordenamento do Territór‐ io" (PRODER - Ação 2.2.3.1. - PA 18621).

#### **Author details**

Jorge Cunha1,2, Margarida Teixeira-Santos3 , João Brazão1 , Pedro Fevereiro2,4 and José Eduardo Eiras-Dias1


3 INIAV, Quinta do Marquês, Oeiras, Portugal

4 Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Lisboa, Portugal

#### **References**


[3] Portaria nº, 428/2000 de 17 de Julho. Diário da Republica. 1ª Série, Nº 163.

scription of the cultivars iii) production of illustrate catalogues of cultivars iv) and sorting out synonyms and homonyms. These roles have evolved with the availability of new tools particularly the use of molecular markers that allowed the confirmation of suspected pedi‐ grees and finding unsuspected ones. It also allowed tracing the remote history of grapevine domestication including the existence of several secondary domestication centers. The avail‐ ability in one location of large number of genotypes of a highly heterozygous species also allow the development of genetic association studies like the one developed by Cardoso [60] that establish a candidate gene association with berry colour and anthocyanin content in 149 red and rose grapevine cultivars. Field performance of large numbers of cultivars in one spot as is the case of Esporão collection (Table 7) will help in the decision of what cultivar to plant and how to develop new wine types on the climate change scenario. Finnaly, morpho‐ logical, molecular and field performance data will be useful in establishing core collections

This work was funded by: "Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia" (SFRH/BPD/ 74895/2010) and "Ministério da Agricultura, do Mar, do Ambiente e do Ordenamento do Territór‐

, João Brazão1

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aiming a better management of the germplasm available.

**Acknowledgements**

**Author details**

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1 INIAV, Quinta d'Almoinha, Dois Portos, Portugal

3 INIAV, Quinta do Marquês, Oeiras, Portugal

2 Universidade Nova de Lisboa, ITQB, Oeiras, Portugal

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## **Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity and Relations Between Grapevine Varieties: Slovenian Germplasm**

Denis Rusjan

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/51773

#### **1. Introduction**

Slovenia is a small central European country situated between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, at the crossing between Italy (to the West), Austria (to the North), Hungary (to the East) and Croatia (to the South), a historical place of significant grape and wine trading. Grapevines have been cultivated in Slovenia since ancient times, although the first literal proofs on grape growing and winemaking date back merely to the Austro-Hungarian Empire [1,2]. However, the oldest *Vitis vinifera* ssp. L. (grape) pips (seeds) found during the archaeologi‐ cal excavation of the late Neolithic (Copper Age) pile-dwelling settlement of Hočevarica at the Ljubljansko barje moor and date back to the 37th/36th century B.C. [3].

The geographical position of the country as well as the regarding climate conditions, and the socio-political development throughout the nation's history, have contributed to a diverse assortment of grapevine [1,2]. At least around 100 old and less known varieties are enumer‐ ated especially in the western part of Slovenia (Sub Mediterranean) and accompanied by the widespread European, allochthon, autochthon/landrace and local varieties, a large number of grapevines is cultivated in Slovenia nowadays [4,5].

The intense trade in grapes and wine, especially due to the Venetians (Venetian Republic from the end of 7th to the end of 18th Century; Figure 1), and the varying climatic and geolog‐ ical conditions contributed to a great diversity of *Vitis vinifera* L. varieties. Additionally, the multiculturalism and multilingualism of the area as well as the turbulent historical events have contributed to identical genotypes having different names [1,2].

© 2013 Rusjan; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Rusjan; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

**Figure 1.** Territories of the Republic of Venice (697–1797). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Repubblica\_di\_Vene‐ zia.png)

Nowadays, Slovenian winegrowers (27.802) produce on 15.973 ha an annual of around 54.3 mio litres of wine; 62% whites and 38% reds. Fifty grapevine varieties (*Vitis vinifera* L.), international, allochthon, local and autochthon as well, are registered in the official Sloven‐ ian varietal list, but numerous accessions are still observed and non-descripted in many parts of Slovenia [1,6]. Although some of them form the basis of the renown regional vari‐ eties ('Rebula' in Goriška brda, 'Zelen' and 'Pinela' in Vipavska dolina, 'Šipon' in Ljutomer-Ormož etc.), many face extinction, since in some areas only a few plants are reported. However, Slovenia is facing the threat of the rapid erosion of the native/local germplasm on account of the introduction of foreign varieties, such as 'Merlot', 'Cabernet', 'Chardon‐ nay' and 'Pinot'. Very often, however, the problems with the identification of these local, unknown varieties, occur, because of the presence of various synonyms of the same varie‐ ty throughout the country [2,6,7].The gene pool of the varieties cultivated in Slovenia is composed of old allochthon, autochthonous, domestic/local varieties, which can all be addi‐ tionally divided into two groups. The first group consists of commercially used varieties which are planted on more than 100 ha each, such as 'Rebula', 'Žametovka', 'Zelen', 'Pine‐ la', 'Šipon', 'Radgonska Ranina', and 'Refošk'. The second group of varieties, such as 'Vitov‐ ska grganja' and 'Belina', are cultivated on less than 100 ha each and are known as local varieties. Moreover, around 50 well-known and rare varieties/accessions exist in Slovenia today; the majority of which have not yet been listed in the International List of Vine Varieties and Their Synonyms of the O.I.V. (International Organisation of Vine and Wine). Even though some morphological and agronomical descriptions related to these accessions ex‐ ist, we are talking about mostly unexplored plant material and some of these varieties had survived only in less productive vineyards or owing to germplasm collections. The system‐ atically collection of these endangered accessions started in 1980. Nowadays, there are five grapevine collections in the whole country: Slap at Vipava, Ampelografski vrt in Krom‐ berk, the grapevine collection at Dobrovo in Goriška brda, Meranovo near Maribor and one near Ormož that include old varieties, clonal candidates and clones (Table1).


**Table 1.** List of varietal clones and clone candidates selected in Slovenia.

Nowadays, varieties can be characterized by several methods: (i) by means of a morphologi‐ cal description of plant parts at different phenological stages; (ii) morphometry based on the measurements of the parameters of the plant organs and (iii) quantitative or qualitative analysis of biochemical compounds. Furthermore, traditional methods of varietal descrip‐ tion based on vegetative and reproductive (ampelography) parts of plants, contributed greatly to the full description of the identities and relationships among *V. vinifera* L. variet‐ ies; what also suggests that ampelographic characterization according to the characters put forward by the O.I.V. is the first step in the examination of grapevine varieties/accessions. Several authors described various analyses of primary and secondary metabolites and meth‐ ods based on DNA polymorphism as outstandingly useful methods to complete the mor‐ phological identification of grapevine varieties [8,9].

#### **2. Slovenian germplasm**

**Figure 1.** Territories of the Republic of Venice (697–1797). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Repubblica\_di\_Vene‐

Nowadays, Slovenian winegrowers (27.802) produce on 15.973 ha an annual of around 54.3 mio litres of wine; 62% whites and 38% reds. Fifty grapevine varieties (*Vitis vinifera* L.), international, allochthon, local and autochthon as well, are registered in the official Sloven‐ ian varietal list, but numerous accessions are still observed and non-descripted in many parts of Slovenia [1,6]. Although some of them form the basis of the renown regional vari‐ eties ('Rebula' in Goriška brda, 'Zelen' and 'Pinela' in Vipavska dolina, 'Šipon' in Ljutomer-Ormož etc.), many face extinction, since in some areas only a few plants are reported. However, Slovenia is facing the threat of the rapid erosion of the native/local germplasm on account of the introduction of foreign varieties, such as 'Merlot', 'Cabernet', 'Chardon‐ nay' and 'Pinot'. Very often, however, the problems with the identification of these local, unknown varieties, occur, because of the presence of various synonyms of the same varie‐ ty throughout the country [2,6,7].The gene pool of the varieties cultivated in Slovenia is composed of old allochthon, autochthonous, domestic/local varieties, which can all be addi‐ tionally divided into two groups. The first group consists of commercially used varieties which are planted on more than 100 ha each, such as 'Rebula', 'Žametovka', 'Zelen', 'Pine‐ la', 'Šipon', 'Radgonska Ranina', and 'Refošk'. The second group of varieties, such as 'Vitov‐ ska grganja' and 'Belina', are cultivated on less than 100 ha each and are known as local varieties. Moreover, around 50 well-known and rare varieties/accessions exist in Slovenia today; the majority of which have not yet been listed in the International List of Vine Varieties and Their Synonyms of the O.I.V. (International Organisation of Vine and Wine). Even though some morphological and agronomical descriptions related to these accessions ex‐ ist, we are talking about mostly unexplored plant material and some of these varieties had survived only in less productive vineyards or owing to germplasm collections. The system‐ atically collection of these endangered accessions started in 1980. Nowadays, there are five grapevine collections in the whole country: Slap at Vipava, Ampelografski vrt in Krom‐ berk, the grapevine collection at Dobrovo in Goriška brda, Meranovo near Maribor and one

near Ormož that include old varieties, clonal candidates and clones (Table1).

zia.png)

148 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

One of the problems in the management of these germplasm collections is the use of syno‐ nymic and homonymic designations. The lack of order caused by synonyms and homonyms is caused by inadequate documentation and poor preservation of historical facts related to grape growing and trade. The identification and comparison of plant material by ampelo‐ graphic methods often results in misinterpretations [10]. In contrast, DNA-based markers are independent of environmental factors and are therefore more appropriate for varietal identification [9,11]. In the last decade, more than 60 SSR primers from the genomic libraries of *Vitis vinifera* L. have been developed and used for identification purposes [12,13]. The ge‐ netic characterization of grapevine varieties (*Vitis vinifera* L.) using microsatellite markers and ampelometric methods has been done by many countries and regions already. The inte‐ gration of the resulting molecular analyses and detection of synonymous grapevine varieties has already been performed among countries which share a common grapevine assortment, such as Croatia, North Italy, Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, etc. [5,9,14,15]. In the last decade many genetic studies of local varieties have been conducted in Slovenia [4,5,15-18] as well, and have consequently revealed the genetic biodiversity of grapevine varieties grown and cultivated in the country (Table 2).


of *Vitis vinifera* L. have been developed and used for identification purposes [12,13]. The ge‐ netic characterization of grapevine varieties (*Vitis vinifera* L.) using microsatellite markers and ampelometric methods has been done by many countries and regions already. The inte‐ gration of the resulting molecular analyses and detection of synonymous grapevine varieties has already been performed among countries which share a common grapevine assortment, such as Croatia, North Italy, Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, etc. [5,9,14,15]. In the last decade many genetic studies of local varieties have been conducted in Slovenia [4,5,15-18] as well, and have consequently revealed the genetic biodiversity of

**Variety / Accession Synonym Homonym Origin**

Al

Cipro Al

Borgonja rdeča Al

/ L

Bela glera / Prosseco, Briška glera G Beli teran / Vitovska grganja, Vitouska G Belina Heunish L

Borgonja bela Istrska malvazija Al

Briška glera Glera Bela glera, Glera G

Cividin Cividino bianco Al Cohovka / A Danijela / G Dolga petlja / G Drenik / G Duranja / Al Glera Prosecco, Prosekar / Al Grganc G Guštana Auguštana G

Rusti, Erbalus, Erbalucente, Uva Rustia

omiški, Moscato rosa, Rosenmuskateller blauer, Likvor, Rdeča muškateljka

grapevine varieties grown and cultivated in the country (Table 2).

Bianchera Erbaluce, Albaluce, Albalucent, Bianco

150 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Borgonja rdeča Burgonja istarska, Gamay Beaujolais, Borgogna

Cipro Muškat ruža Porečki, Muškat ruža

Istrska malvazija Malvazija, Malvasia d'Istria, Istarska

Borgonja bela

malvasia, Istrijanka, Malvasia Istra,

Kanarjola Canaiolo Al Klarnica Klarnca, Klarna A Laščina G Maločrn Piccola nera, Negra Tenera, Petite Raisin Al

Istrijanka


**Table 2.** Names, designations and classifications of the less known cultivated grapevine varieties/accessions (*Vitis vinifera* L.) in Slovenia. Legend: Al – allochthon; Au – autochthon (landrace); L – local (domestic); G – germplasm (grown only in certain gene banks).

#### **2.1. Genetic diversity and relations among varieties**

SSR markers offer some advantages over other molecular markers, including their co-domi‐ nant inheritance, hypervariability, and high cross-species transferability [8,13]. Consequent‐ ly a large number of markers has been developed for characterisation of grapevine by many research groups [8,12,19] – these markers have provided a very useful and convenient tool for analysing genetic diversity of grapevine. In order to efficiently manage these conserved local germplasm resources and to understand the genetic relationships among them, it is necessary to characterize the genetic diversity existing in the Slovenian collection and pro‐ duction vineyards. However, a majority of cultivated and grown grapevine accessions in the Sub-Mediterranean part of Slovenia and a subset of 6 widespread European varieties taken as reference have been genotyped with microsatellite loci in order to: (1) identify and/or dif‐ ferentiate varieties, especially those of similar morphological characteristics; (2) assess genet‐ ic diversity and relationships among them; (3) and compare these varieties to their synonyms [5,15-18] (Figures 2 and 3).

**Figure 2.** Dendrograms of genotyped grapevine accessions grown in Slovenia [5].

**Figure 3.** Dendrograms of genotyped grapevine accessions grown in Slovenia [17].

**2.1. Genetic diversity and relations among varieties**

152 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

synonyms [5,15-18] (Figures 2 and 3).

**Figure 2.** Dendrograms of genotyped grapevine accessions grown in Slovenia [5].

SSR markers offer some advantages over other molecular markers, including their co-domi‐ nant inheritance, hypervariability, and high cross-species transferability [8,13]. Consequent‐ ly a large number of markers has been developed for characterisation of grapevine by many research groups [8,12,19] – these markers have provided a very useful and convenient tool for analysing genetic diversity of grapevine. In order to efficiently manage these conserved local germplasm resources and to understand the genetic relationships among them, it is necessary to characterize the genetic diversity existing in the Slovenian collection and pro‐ duction vineyards. However, a majority of cultivated and grown grapevine accessions in the Sub-Mediterranean part of Slovenia and a subset of 6 widespread European varieties taken as reference have been genotyped with microsatellite loci in order to: (1) identify and/or dif‐ ferentiate varieties, especially those of similar morphological characteristics; (2) assess genet‐ ic diversity and relationships among them; (3) and compare these varieties to their

> SSR profiles of groups of varieties with similar names but some different morphological characteristics were compared in order to assess their relationships and resolve existing doubts on their identity. In order to illustrate the population structure among Slovenian va‐ rieties/accessions dendrograms were constructed, which classify the varieties according to the proportion of shared alleles (Figures 2 and 3). The average similarity of all varieties is 34% of shared alleles (Figure 2, left), which is close to the average similarity observed for mid-European and Portuguese accessions [5]. Overall, two distinct clusters were obtained, with many sub-clusters. The accessions from the first cluster are related to 'Laški rizling' ('Welschriesling'), 'Rdeča žlahtnina' ('Roter Gutedel', 'Chasselas red') from the West Euro‐ pean gene pool (*Proles occidentalis*), but also 'Rebula' ('Ribolla') known as *Proles pontica*. An‐ other two varieties, 'Guštana' and 'Danijela', grouped with the first cluster, are both

characterised by an early grape ripening. The name 'Guštana' may describe the ripening time of this variety, which is in August. The variety 'Danijela' is planted only in gene bank vineyards and its provenance is still uncertain. The variety 'Picolit' is cultivated in the west‐ ern part of Slovenia (Northern Primorska) and in the north-east part of Italy – in Slovenia two distinct, morphologically different types of this variety/accession, 'Picolit Italia' and 'Pi‐ colit Vienna', are known. Microsatellite markers revealed no differences at 21 loci; matching also the same allelic profiles at all 7 SSR loci with a variety 'Picolit' from Italy [25]. In the second cluster, which includes 25 accessions, three groups of synonyms were discovered [5]: 'Vitovska grganja' = 'Racuk', 'Poljšakica Drnovk' = 'Istrska Malvazija' and 'Prosecco'= 'Briš‐ ka Glera' = 'Števerjana'. 'Vitovska grganja' is an old grape variety cultivated in Slovenia in the winegrowing districts of the Vipavska dolina and Kras and also in the north-east part of Italy, where it played an important role in the past [1]. The synonymy found between 'Vi‐ tovska grganja' and 'Racuk' could not yet be confirmed despite obtaining identical allelic patterns, because an accurate morphological characterization of 'Racuk' is still lacking. The allelic profiles of our 'Vitovska grganja' have been further compared with the Italian variety 'Vitouska', recently published by [26] - dissimilarity was revealed at 14 out of 16 loci, and indicating that there is a compatible parent/progeny. The varieties 'Prosecco', 'Briška Glera' and 'Števerjana' form another group of synonyms. 'Prosecco' and 'Glera' have already been proved to be synonyms on the basis of morphological descriptors and isoenzyme analyses, while 'Števerjana' has not previously been considered to be a synonym. The variety 'Prosec‐ co' takes its name from the village of Prosecco, in the Province of Trieste, where this variety is also known as 'Glera' [26]. The name for the variety 'Števerjana' may originate in Štever‐ jan, a small village in North-East Italy (Collio), near the Slovenian border. The comparison of 16 SSR loci of our 'Prosecco' with Italian 'Prosecco tondo', which was recently analysed [26], revealed no differences - on the basis of this comparison 'Prosecco' = 'Prosecco tondo' = 'Glera' but according to [26] 'Glera' is related mainly to 'Prosecco lungo' and less frequently to 'Prosecco tondo' [5].

Comparison between the two accessions denominated 'Glera' ('Briška Glera' and 'Bela Glera') included in our analysis [5] revealed differences at 16 out of 21 loci, so they are con‐ sidered homonyms. Two varieties, 'Poljšakica Drnovk' and 'Poljšakica Lože', which were ex‐ pected to have the same genetic profile, were different at various analysed microsatellite loci. The synonymy of 'Heunisch' = 'Ranfol' = 'Belina', which was first mentioned by [2], was also analysed - discrepancies were discovered at 13 loci, but the two varieties share one common allele at all 13 loci [5]. Furthermore, the accession 'Belina Pleterje' was compared to the synonymic variety 'Ranfol Bijeli' from Croatia using microsatellite data [14] - 8 com‐ pared SSR loci data showed the same allelic profiles for all, except VVMD7, where a triallelic profile was observed. A mutation in the microsatellite sequence of locus VVMD7 was often responsible for identifying grapevine synonyms or related types [19].The SSR profiles of ac‐ cessions linked to the designation 'Zelen' ('Zelen Pokov', 'Zelen 66' and 'Zelen 2.4') were compared as well. The differences at several microsatellite loci showed that 'Zelen' acces‐ sions are a heterogeneous group consisting of several genotypes. The differences were re‐ vealed also at the comparison of 'Zelen' to 'Verduzzo' and 'Verdicchio'andcan therefore not be considered/used synonyms.In pairwise comparison, excluding *Vitis rupestris* L., the great‐

est distances detected (86%) were between accesions 'Rebula' – 'Volovnik', 'Dolga petlja' – 'Guštana' and 'Klarnica' – 'Pikolit' (Figure 2).

characterised by an early grape ripening. The name 'Guštana' may describe the ripening time of this variety, which is in August. The variety 'Danijela' is planted only in gene bank vineyards and its provenance is still uncertain. The variety 'Picolit' is cultivated in the west‐ ern part of Slovenia (Northern Primorska) and in the north-east part of Italy – in Slovenia two distinct, morphologically different types of this variety/accession, 'Picolit Italia' and 'Pi‐ colit Vienna', are known. Microsatellite markers revealed no differences at 21 loci; matching also the same allelic profiles at all 7 SSR loci with a variety 'Picolit' from Italy [25]. In the second cluster, which includes 25 accessions, three groups of synonyms were discovered [5]: 'Vitovska grganja' = 'Racuk', 'Poljšakica Drnovk' = 'Istrska Malvazija' and 'Prosecco'= 'Briš‐ ka Glera' = 'Števerjana'. 'Vitovska grganja' is an old grape variety cultivated in Slovenia in the winegrowing districts of the Vipavska dolina and Kras and also in the north-east part of Italy, where it played an important role in the past [1]. The synonymy found between 'Vi‐ tovska grganja' and 'Racuk' could not yet be confirmed despite obtaining identical allelic patterns, because an accurate morphological characterization of 'Racuk' is still lacking. The allelic profiles of our 'Vitovska grganja' have been further compared with the Italian variety 'Vitouska', recently published by [26] - dissimilarity was revealed at 14 out of 16 loci, and indicating that there is a compatible parent/progeny. The varieties 'Prosecco', 'Briška Glera' and 'Števerjana' form another group of synonyms. 'Prosecco' and 'Glera' have already been proved to be synonyms on the basis of morphological descriptors and isoenzyme analyses, while 'Števerjana' has not previously been considered to be a synonym. The variety 'Prosec‐ co' takes its name from the village of Prosecco, in the Province of Trieste, where this variety is also known as 'Glera' [26]. The name for the variety 'Števerjana' may originate in Štever‐ jan, a small village in North-East Italy (Collio), near the Slovenian border. The comparison of 16 SSR loci of our 'Prosecco' with Italian 'Prosecco tondo', which was recently analysed [26], revealed no differences - on the basis of this comparison 'Prosecco' = 'Prosecco tondo' = 'Glera' but according to [26] 'Glera' is related mainly to 'Prosecco lungo' and less frequently

Comparison between the two accessions denominated 'Glera' ('Briška Glera' and 'Bela Glera') included in our analysis [5] revealed differences at 16 out of 21 loci, so they are con‐ sidered homonyms. Two varieties, 'Poljšakica Drnovk' and 'Poljšakica Lože', which were ex‐ pected to have the same genetic profile, were different at various analysed microsatellite loci. The synonymy of 'Heunisch' = 'Ranfol' = 'Belina', which was first mentioned by [2], was also analysed - discrepancies were discovered at 13 loci, but the two varieties share one common allele at all 13 loci [5]. Furthermore, the accession 'Belina Pleterje' was compared to the synonymic variety 'Ranfol Bijeli' from Croatia using microsatellite data [14] - 8 com‐ pared SSR loci data showed the same allelic profiles for all, except VVMD7, where a triallelic profile was observed. A mutation in the microsatellite sequence of locus VVMD7 was often responsible for identifying grapevine synonyms or related types [19].The SSR profiles of ac‐ cessions linked to the designation 'Zelen' ('Zelen Pokov', 'Zelen 66' and 'Zelen 2.4') were compared as well. The differences at several microsatellite loci showed that 'Zelen' acces‐ sions are a heterogeneous group consisting of several genotypes. The differences were re‐ vealed also at the comparison of 'Zelen' to 'Verduzzo' and 'Verdicchio'andcan therefore not be considered/used synonyms.In pairwise comparison, excluding *Vitis rupestris* L., the great‐

to 'Prosecco tondo' [5].

154 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Subsequent, more detailed study was done in 2011 [17], which included all accessions founded in the Sub-Mediterranean part of Slovenia. The observations are reported as fol‐ lows [17] (Figure 3): The pairs/groups of vines denominated 'Duranja' and 'Duranja-Pre‐ gara', furthermore 'Belina' and 'Belina1', 'Zelen Rup2', Zelen66' and 'Zelen3' and 'Malvasia', 'Istrska Malvasia' and 'Malvasia Istriana' revealed identical genotypes in all SSR microsatel‐ lites analysed therefore they are regarded as synonyms. The designations related to 'Malva‐ sia' very often comprise several types of grapevine varieties which are also morphologicaly heterogenous [20]. Very closely related to 'Malvasia Istra' was 'Borgonja bela', sharing 19 out of 20 alleles, what was also expected according to known ampelographic characteristics. Unexpectedly, vine denominated 'Laščina 1' also showed identical SSR profiles as 'Malvasia Istra' but completely different than accession 'Laščina 2', what is considered as a designation error or homonym. In the group of variety 'Plavina', the vines signed as 'Plavina maločrn' and 'Maločrn' showed same genotyping results and they are closely related to vine denomi‐ nated 'Plavina Pregara', what cannot be affirmed for accession signed as 'Plavina-Pčavina'. 'Plavina-Pregara' in contrast to 'Plavina maločrn' and 'Maločrn' resulted in homozygous state (or heterozygous with a null allele) at locus VVMD7, but 'Plavina-Pčavina' was differ‐ ent from them in 8 loci out of 10 [17]. The difference in the stage of homozygosity/hetero‐ zygosity at locus VVMD7 was also obtained between accessions 'Glera' and 'Briška Glera' and these kind of mutations at locus VVMD7 have previously often been reported [5,9,21]. These results of close relatedness suggested that local varieties can be phenotypically partly different types or under-types and that one could have originated from the other through somatic mutations. Low relatedness (20% of similarity) was also found between Slovene 'Plavina' and Croatian 'Plavina' genotyped by [20]. 'Plavina' was reported the most com‐ mon grape variety along the Dalmatian coast and was known as 'Pagadebiti' in 'Curzola', however in our study the vine denominated 'Pagadebiti' is more similar to variety 'Rebula' ('Ribolla') and 'Kanarjola' than to 'Plavina'; as pairwaise comparison revealed only 6% of ge‐ netic similarity. The obtained allelic profiles of 'Pagadebiti' are also different from the pro‐ files of two 'Pagadebiti' accessions reported by [21] - 'Pagadebiti' translates as "pay the debt" and so the name may had been used for several very productive grapevine varieties, resulting in many homonyms.

To the group of synonyms related to the designation 'Glera' ('Glera', 'Prosecco', 'Briška Glera', 'Števerjana', 'Beli teran') the Croatian variety 'Teran bijeli' genotyped by [14] was compared. The comparison of data of 7 SSR loci resulted in identical SSR profile confirming their synonymy. A high genetic difference was revealed between the accessions denominat‐ ed as 'Glera'/'Briška glera' and 'Bela glera' and could be explained with the fact that the term "Glera" was quite frequently used for white grapevine varieties in the Sub-Mediterra‐ nean part of Slovenia in the past [1,24], therefore the obtained homonymy is not a surprise. By comparing allele sizes of 7 SSR loci of the Croatian 'Muškat ruža Porečki' [14] with the Slovene 'Cipro', identical genotypes were found and therefore synonymy between these two varieties was confirmed. On the other hand, 'Beli muškat', which is clustered together with 'Cipro' in the dendrogram, is related to them with a similarity of 60%.

Unexpected the varieties 'Rožca' and 'Zelenika' showed the same genotype, what can be explained by the dissemination of scions of the same varieties throughout the winegrowing regions during the past, where the influence of dialects has also put its mark on the denomi‐ nation. The variety 'Rožca' is found quite close to another white accession signed as 'Rebula stara'; they share 77% of alleles. Vines denominated 'Rebula stara' and 'Rebula-100' were expected to be closely related but share only 55% of alleles; in common at least one allele at each locus, which could imply their parent/offspring relation.A genotype of 'Rebula stara' (='Stara Rebula'='Rebula old') perfectly matched at 7 loci with variety 'Gouais blanc' ('Heu‐ nisch'). Another interesting finding was the similarity between the vines 'Grganc' and 'Rebu‐ la-100', which showed similar genotypes with exception at locus VVMD5 at which 'Rebula-100' revealed a triallelic pattern [17].

#### *2.1.1. Grapevine accessions designated 'Rebula' and 'Vitovska'*

#### *2.1.1.1. Accessions related to designations 'Rebula' and 'Ribolla'*

'Rebula' (*Vitis vinifera* L.) has been one of the most important white grapevine varieties from the ancient times down to the present days and has been mostly cultivated in the area of Goriška brda and Collio where it is still gaining in importance. The first mentions of the name 'Rebula' date back to 1299, later 1376,to a deed of sale »Notariorum Joppi« in the area of the Slovenian Collio [27], whereas the first ampelographic descriptions of the variety are found in Vinoreja [1] and in Ampelographie [2]. Six different types of the variety 'Rebula' are enumerated and described ("green rebula", "yellow rebula", "less fertile rebula", "unfer‐ tile rebula", "crazy rebula" and "rebula with smaller and dissected leaf") [1] what confirms its biodiversity which decreases with narrow clonal selection. For this variety many syno‐ nyms are used - 'Garganja', 'Glera', 'Ribolla gialla', 'Rebolla', 'Ribolla', 'Ribolla Bianca', 'Ri‐ buèle', 'Rabuèle', 'Rosazzo', 'Ribollat', 'Raibola', 'Ràbola', 'Ribuole' and 'Gargania' [6,7,28]. DNA analyses regarding accessions of 'Rebula' have been already reported [15]. The variety 'Rebula' showed a very low similarity (16 %) with other analysed varieties, also with vines designed 'Rebula-100 years' and 'Rebula-old'. The accessions named 'Prosecco', 'Števerjana', 'Beli teran' and 'Briška Glera', however, revealed identical genotypes in all 11 SSR microsa‐ tellites analysed, and are therefore regarded as synonyms. The varieties 'Rebula' and 'Ribolla gialla' revealed an identical SSR profile at 8 out of 9 SSR loci (Figure 4).

Moreover, the genetic identity and relationship among 'Ribolla gialla', 'Rebula' and 'Robola' that have been traditionally cultivated in other European Countries (Goriška brda in Sloven‐ ia and Kefalonia Island in Greece) grown in private vineyards and in grape collections were additionally studied (Table 3)[29]. For this purpose, 35 SSR loci were analysed to fingerprint 19 accessions uniformly grown in the three cultivation areas (Friulian Collio, Goriška brda and Ionian Islands). 'Ribolla Gialla' and 'Rebula' accessions revealed identical genotype in all 35 analysed SSR markers, therefore are regarded as synonymous. Data proved the exis‐ tence of full-sibling relationships between 'Ribolla gialla' and 'Robola' (Figure 5) [29].


varieties was confirmed. On the other hand, 'Beli muškat', which is clustered together with

Unexpected the varieties 'Rožca' and 'Zelenika' showed the same genotype, what can be explained by the dissemination of scions of the same varieties throughout the winegrowing regions during the past, where the influence of dialects has also put its mark on the denomi‐ nation. The variety 'Rožca' is found quite close to another white accession signed as 'Rebula stara'; they share 77% of alleles. Vines denominated 'Rebula stara' and 'Rebula-100' were expected to be closely related but share only 55% of alleles; in common at least one allele at each locus, which could imply their parent/offspring relation.A genotype of 'Rebula stara' (='Stara Rebula'='Rebula old') perfectly matched at 7 loci with variety 'Gouais blanc' ('Heu‐ nisch'). Another interesting finding was the similarity between the vines 'Grganc' and 'Rebu‐ la-100', which showed similar genotypes with exception at locus VVMD5 at which 'Rebula-100'

'Rebula' (*Vitis vinifera* L.) has been one of the most important white grapevine varieties from the ancient times down to the present days and has been mostly cultivated in the area of Goriška brda and Collio where it is still gaining in importance. The first mentions of the name 'Rebula' date back to 1299, later 1376,to a deed of sale »Notariorum Joppi« in the area of the Slovenian Collio [27], whereas the first ampelographic descriptions of the variety are found in Vinoreja [1] and in Ampelographie [2]. Six different types of the variety 'Rebula' are enumerated and described ("green rebula", "yellow rebula", "less fertile rebula", "unfer‐ tile rebula", "crazy rebula" and "rebula with smaller and dissected leaf") [1] what confirms its biodiversity which decreases with narrow clonal selection. For this variety many syno‐ nyms are used - 'Garganja', 'Glera', 'Ribolla gialla', 'Rebolla', 'Ribolla', 'Ribolla Bianca', 'Ri‐ buèle', 'Rabuèle', 'Rosazzo', 'Ribollat', 'Raibola', 'Ràbola', 'Ribuole' and 'Gargania' [6,7,28]. DNA analyses regarding accessions of 'Rebula' have been already reported [15]. The variety 'Rebula' showed a very low similarity (16 %) with other analysed varieties, also with vines designed 'Rebula-100 years' and 'Rebula-old'. The accessions named 'Prosecco', 'Števerjana', 'Beli teran' and 'Briška Glera', however, revealed identical genotypes in all 11 SSR microsa‐ tellites analysed, and are therefore regarded as synonyms. The varieties 'Rebula' and 'Ribolla

Moreover, the genetic identity and relationship among 'Ribolla gialla', 'Rebula' and 'Robola' that have been traditionally cultivated in other European Countries (Goriška brda in Sloven‐ ia and Kefalonia Island in Greece) grown in private vineyards and in grape collections were additionally studied (Table 3)[29]. For this purpose, 35 SSR loci were analysed to fingerprint 19 accessions uniformly grown in the three cultivation areas (Friulian Collio, Goriška brda and Ionian Islands). 'Ribolla Gialla' and 'Rebula' accessions revealed identical genotype in all 35 analysed SSR markers, therefore are regarded as synonymous. Data proved the exis‐

tence of full-sibling relationships between 'Ribolla gialla' and 'Robola' (Figure 5) [29].

'Cipro' in the dendrogram, is related to them with a similarity of 60%.

revealed a triallelic pattern [17].

156 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

*2.1.1. Grapevine accessions designated 'Rebula' and 'Vitovska'*

*2.1.1.1. Accessions related to designations 'Rebula' and 'Ribolla'*

gialla' revealed an identical SSR profile at 8 out of 9 SSR loci (Figure 4).

**Table 3.** List of analyzed accessions and origin area of plant materials related to the designations 'Rebula', 'Ribolla' [29].

At least 9 distinct genotypes resulted from the 19 analysed accessions [29], due to several cases of detected synonyms (Figure 5) – for example the same genotype was founded among vines designated 'Robola 1 and 'Robola 2', than between 'Robola 6' and 'Robola 7', more‐ over among five Italian vines designated 'Ribolla' accessions (1-5) and three Slovenian acces‐ sions ('Glera 2', 'Rebula 1' and 'Rebula 2'), 'Bela Glera 5/6' with 'Glera 1'. Besides, several cases of homonyms revealed, two Slovenian accessions 'Bela Glera 5/6' and 'Bela Glera 8/1' showed different allelic profiles, sharing 48 % of alleles, so did the accessions 'Glera 1' and 'Glera 2'(34% of shared alleles). Five cases of homonyms of the group of Greek accessions were revealed [29]: 'Robola 1', 'Robola 2' and 'Robola 6', 'Robola 7' accessions showed allelic profiles different from other 'Robola' accessions. Vine designated 'Robola 1' and 'Robola 2' shared 81 % of alleles with 'Ribolla Gialla', 'Rebula' and 'Glera 2' accessions. In addition[29] report the SSR profiles of five accessions resulted to be unique: 'Bela Glera 8/1', 'Glera Mede‐ na', 'Robola 3', 'Robola 4' and 'Robola 5'. After the accurate consideration of the obtained results, the studied accessions are clustered into three major groups, but 'Glera Medena' and 'Robola 3' are presented as isolated samples. The cluster 2 presents a major number of ana‐ lysed vines, what reveals high homogeneity of the vines cultivated in Italy, as well as in the comparison with vines cultivated in Slovenia under the name 'Rebula' and those from Greece named 'Robola'. All these designations from cluster 2 can be perceived as synonyms; therefore the original name of this variety is still uncertain. It is demonstrated, that the groups of Italian and Slovenian vine from cluster 2 share 90% of alleles, suggesting the exis‐ tence of a common ancestor[29]. In the case of the other Greek accessions the situation seems to be more complicated and variability is higher – the largest number of accessions is group‐ ed in cluster 1 ('Robola 4', 'Robola 5', 'Robola 6'/'Robola 7' accessions) as they share about 75% of alleles, what suggests very close relationships. Grouped in cluster 3, we find the ac‐ cessions' Bela Glera 8/1', 'Glera 1' and 'Bela Glera 5/6', which show a similarity of 68% in comparison with cluster 2 (Figure 5). No case of parent-offspring (PO) relationships was re‐ vealed among analysed accessions. True-to-type 'Rebula' and 'Ribolla Gialla' (cluster 2) showed possible full-sibling (FS) relationships with 'Robola 1'/'Robola 2' accessions (same cluster), but shared only 55/70 alleles. Among the Greek accessions, 'Robola 4', 'Robola 5' and 'Robola 6'/'Robola 7', belonging to a different cluster are related by a FS relationship; 'Robola 4' and 'Robola 5' accessions sharing 68 % of alleles, 'Robola 4' and 'Robola 6'/'Robo‐ la 7' sharing 80 % of alleles and 'Robola 5' and 'Robola 6'/'Robola 7' sharing 78 % of alleles. Accessions 'Bela Glera 5/6', 'Bela Glera 8/1' and 'Glera 1' shared 48 % of alleles and show a probable HS relationship [29].

**Figure 4.** Dendrograms of grapevine accessions related to designations 'Rebula' and 'Ribolla' using D = 1-(proportion of shared alleles) as coefficient of distance and UPGMA as grouping method [15].

Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity and Relations Between Grapevine Varieties: Slovenian Germplasm http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/51773 159

**Figure 5.** Dendrograms of grapevine accessions related to designations 'Rebula' and 'Ribolla' using D = 1-(proportion of shared alleles) as coefficient of distance and UPGMA as grouping method [29].

#### *2.1.1.2. Accessions related to designations 'Vitovska' and 'Grganja'*

therefore the original name of this variety is still uncertain. It is demonstrated, that the groups of Italian and Slovenian vine from cluster 2 share 90% of alleles, suggesting the exis‐ tence of a common ancestor[29]. In the case of the other Greek accessions the situation seems to be more complicated and variability is higher – the largest number of accessions is group‐ ed in cluster 1 ('Robola 4', 'Robola 5', 'Robola 6'/'Robola 7' accessions) as they share about 75% of alleles, what suggests very close relationships. Grouped in cluster 3, we find the ac‐ cessions' Bela Glera 8/1', 'Glera 1' and 'Bela Glera 5/6', which show a similarity of 68% in comparison with cluster 2 (Figure 5). No case of parent-offspring (PO) relationships was re‐ vealed among analysed accessions. True-to-type 'Rebula' and 'Ribolla Gialla' (cluster 2) showed possible full-sibling (FS) relationships with 'Robola 1'/'Robola 2' accessions (same cluster), but shared only 55/70 alleles. Among the Greek accessions, 'Robola 4', 'Robola 5' and 'Robola 6'/'Robola 7', belonging to a different cluster are related by a FS relationship; 'Robola 4' and 'Robola 5' accessions sharing 68 % of alleles, 'Robola 4' and 'Robola 6'/'Robo‐ la 7' sharing 80 % of alleles and 'Robola 5' and 'Robola 6'/'Robola 7' sharing 78 % of alleles. Accessions 'Bela Glera 5/6', 'Bela Glera 8/1' and 'Glera 1' shared 48 % of alleles and show a

**Figure 4.** Dendrograms of grapevine accessions related to designations 'Rebula' and 'Ribolla' using D = 1-(proportion

of shared alleles) as coefficient of distance and UPGMA as grouping method [15].

probable HS relationship [29].

158 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The accessions related to 'Vitovska', 'Vitouska', 'Grganja' and 'Garganja' are cultivated in different winegrowing areas in Slovenia, Italy and Croatia; therefore their names (syno‐ nyms) still cause disorder, because they are often considered indigenous and ancient variet‐ ies in the area of cultivation. According to the accurate study [26], which included as much as 37 nuclear microsatellite locii confirmed the variety 'Vitouska' to be the progeny of 'Mal‐ vasia del Chianti' (syn. 'Malvasia bianca lunga', 'Malvasia lunga') and 'Prosecco tondo'. Fol‐ lowing this, [30] found an original genotype of 'Malvasia del Chianti' with the varieties 'Pavlos' present in Greece and 'Maraština' cultivated in the south coastal region of Croatia (Dalmatia). Already in 1949 it was affirmed that 'Maraština' and 'Malvasia lunga' are one and the same variety [31]. In 2012 [18] reported genotyping and phenotyping of accessions (*Vitis vinifera* L.) cultivated in Slovenia, Croatia and Italia, mostly known as 'Vito(u/v)ska' and 'G(a)rgan(i)ja', while also referred as indigenous or landrace varieties [1,7,28]. The stud‐ ied varieties, with an additional focus on variety 'Vitovska grganja', were mostly taken from germplasm collections: 'Vitovska grganja' from Slovenia, 'Vitouska', 'Ribolla gialla' and 'Prosecco' from Italy, 'Garganja' and 'Maraština' from Croatia.


**Table 4.** List of the studied accessions related to the terms 'Vitovska', and 'Garganja' describing their already used synonyms, homonyms and cultivation areas[18]. Indexes: 1-[1]; 2-[28]; 3-[32]; 4-[7]; 5-[30]; 6-[31]

**Variety / Type / Vine / Abbreviation**

160 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

'Vitovska grganja' 1 (VG) Gerganja1, Vitouska2, Gargania2,

'Vitovska grganja' 2 (VG) Gerganja1, Vitouska2, Gargania2,

'Vitouska' (V) Vitovska grganja2, Vitouska2,

'Prosecco' (P) Gljera6, Prosekar6, Prosecco tondo2,

'Maraština' (M) Pavlos6, Malvasia del Chianti6,

'Ribolla gialla' (RG) Garganja2, Glera2, Refosco bianco2,

**Synonyms and homonyms (Translation)**

Ribolla gialla2, Grganja3, Garganja3, Vitovška3, Vitevška3, Vitovka3, Gorjanska3, Malvazija s piko3, Beli refošk3, Vrbina3, Vrbovna3, Črna pika<sup>3</sup>

Ribolla gialla2, Grganja3, Garganja3, Vitovška3, Vitevška3, Vitovka3, Gorjanska3, Malvazija s piko3, Beli refošk3, Vrbina3, Vrbovna3, Črna pika<sup>3</sup>

Gargania2, Ribolla gialla2

Prosecco bianco2, Gargana2, Brešanka1,2 (Brescia)

Malvasia lunga6, Rukatac6, Marinkuša mala6, Maraškin6, Đerđevina6, Kukuruz6, Rukac6, Krizol6, Višana6

Teran bijeli2, Ribola bijela2, Erbula2, Jerbula2, Gorička ribola2, Rebolla2, Ribolla2, Ribolla bianca2, Ribuèle2, Rabuèle2, Rosazzo2, Ribollat2, Raibola2, Ràbola2, Ribuole2, Gargania2

**Table 4.** List of the studied accessions related to the terms 'Vitovska', and 'Garganja' describing their already used

synonyms, homonyms and cultivation areas[18]. Indexes: 1-[1]; 2-[28]; 3-[32]; 4-[7]; 5-[30]; 6-[31]

'Garganja' (G) Rebula6, Ribolla gialla6 Sampled in the germplasm collection of

**Cultivation area and notes**

The vine is approx. 100 years old and grows in the village Sveto v (address Sveto 4), Kras (Slovenia) as an individual

The vine is over 110 years old and grows in the village Briščki (address Briščki 5), Carso, Italy cultivated as a pergola-

Sampled in the VCR (Rauscedo) selection of vines from vineyards planted near the Prosecco village, Italy. The variety is usually planted and cultivated in Carso region, north-east part of Italy.

Sampled in the VCR (Rauscedo) clone VCR101, Italy. The variety is usually planted and cultivated in Carso region,

Sampled in the germplasm collection of the University of Zagreb, near Split (Dalmatia, Croatia). The variety is usually planted and cultivated in Dalmatia,

the Faculty of agriculture and tourism Poreč, near Poreč (Croatia). The variety is usually planted and cultivated in Croatian part of the Istria peninsula, near

Sampled in the VCR (Rauscedo) clone VCR01, Italy. The variety is planted in Collio (Italy) presumably also in Goriška brda (Slovenian Collio), and Istria (Croatia). Sampled in the collection of

the University of Ljubljana.

pergola-trained vine.

trained individual vine.

north-east part of Italy.

coastal part of Croatia.

the village Buzet.

**Figure 6.** Dendrogram of studied grapevine (*Vitis vinifera* L.) accessions and of *Vitis rupestris* based on standard genet‐ ic distance [18].

Vines designated as 'Vitovska grganja 1' and 'Vitovska grganja 2', which have been grown for more than 100 years in the Slovenian Karst (Kras) revealed identical genotypes in all 11 analysed SSR microsatellites. The variety 'Maraština', nowadays known as an indigenous grapevine variety from Central and South Dalmatia (Croatia) surprisingly showed highly related SSR profile as both 'Vitovska grganja' cultivated in Slovenia. According to [30,31] the variety 'Maraština' coincides to the varieties 'Pavlos' and 'Malvasia del Chianti' (Malvasia lunga). In our study 'Maraština' coincided in seven of eleven SSR loci compared to 'Malva‐ sia del Chianti' reported by [26], therefore we can conclude only that they are in strong rela‐ tionship. Variety 'Vitouska' received from VCR Rauscedo (Italy), compared to 'Maraština' and 'Vitovska grganja' 1 and 2, differed in almost all used microsatellites, except at locus VVMD 5 and VVMD36, what additionally confirm the already reported affirmation of null (weak) relationship between both varieties [5,15,26]. Furthermore, considering that [26] af‐ firmed the progeny of 'Vitouska' with 'Malvasia del Chianti' and 'Prosecco tondo', a quite weak match in their locii was found among them in our study.

#### **2.2. Phenotyping experiences at grapevine varieties cultivated in Slovenia**

#### *2.2.1. Phyllometrical tolls for phenotyping*

Morphological descriptions of different parts of the plant at different phenological stages, but also morphometry based on the measurements of parameters of plant organs are the oldest methods used in ampelography. Moreover, quantitative and qualitative analyses of biochemical compounds were also suggested at varietal description [33]. Despite the techni‐ cal advances in biochemical and molecular approaches over the last decades, the descrip‐ tions of morphological characteristics remain an important methodology in the description and research of the diversity among species, varieties and clones. The most commune and used methodologies are descriptions according to the OIV codes [34] and ampelometry, es‐ pecially phyllometry. The advances of morphological descriptions can be characterised as simple, cheap and applicable in the laboratory or directly in the field. Moreover, the presentday studies focus on finding new parameters in order to differentiate the varieties of vine precociously, quickly and efficiently [35]. The average vine leaves were reconstructed by measuring the proposed morphometrical parameters [36], furthermore a system for direct digitizing of phyllometric parameters from leaves was developed [37]. In grapevine collec‐ tions approximately 5-10% of existing varieties are misnamed and even in commercial viti‐ culture, misnaming and confusion related to synonyms and homonyms [38] is a frequent phenomena. We started to collect our allochthon, autochthone, local and endangered variet‐ ies systematically in 1980 and today we have few germplasm collections around Slovenia.

Additional attention has also been given to varietal phenotyping, especially at those variet‐ ies where some misunderstandings in nomination still cause disorders, for example at the varieties 'Vitovska grganja', 'Refošk', 'Rebula', 'Glera', 'Vitouska', 'Garganja' and others, which are frequently treated as an indigenous, autochthonous or landrace varieties in differ‐ ent countries [18]. Some new approaches to accelerate the phenotyping of leaves at different varieties were suggested; for example automatic measurements, as well as the possibility of typical-varietal mature leaf reconstruction [39,40].

#### *2.2.1.1. Phyllometric measurements*

Many studies in the last decades demonstrated the importance and contribution of phyllom‐ etry in grapevine description and distinction. The method provides around 82 criteria meas‐ urements of morphometrical characteristics on an individual leaf. According to a high variation in these characteristics among leaves of the same variety at least 10 mature, typi‐ cally varietal leaves should be picked up, scanned or photocopied, placed in herbarium be‐ fore being analysed. In our study we followed that procedure: Herbarium leaves were scanned (with the HP LaserJet M1005scanner) and analysed using AnalySIS image analysis program (Soft Imagining System GmbH). The quantitative base variables required the re‐ construction of an average typical leaf of different varieties measured following the sugges‐ tions from [36] with some modifications. The following morphometrical parameters were measured in all leaves sampled per variety: leaf area (LA), length of nerves (L1, L2, L3, L4), distance from the petiole insertion to upper sinuses (OS), distance from the petiole insertion to lower sinuses (OI), total leaf height (H), total leaf width (W1), distance between the ends of left and right L2 (W2), distance between the basal tooth of the upper lobe (W3), angles between nerves measured from the petiole sinus to the first ramifications of vein (α, β, γ), angles between nerves from petiole sinus to apex of vein (α', β', τ), angle at the apex of up‐ per lobe (δ1), angle between the apex of L1 and the apexes of L2 (δ2), angle between apex of L1 and apexes of L5 (δ3), distance between apex and basal tooth of upper lobes (D1), dis‐ tance between the ends of L1 and L2 (D2), petiole length (lp), distance from the base of pe‐ tiole sinus to the intersection of L3 vein to L4 vein (LO), tooth width at the end of L2 and L4 (b1, b2), tooth length at the end of L2 and L4 (h1, h2), distance between the ends of L5 (l), distance between the beginning of L5 (l') suggested by [41]. Moreover, [42] suggested the following characterizing equations, in which both parts of the same leaf are used separately: Rel.1 = Lp/L, Rel.2 (left side) = L1/L, Rel.3 (right side) = L1/L, Rel.4 (left side) = α+β+γ, Rel.5 (right side) = α+β+γ, Rel.6 (left side) = α'+β'+τ, Rel.7 (right side) = α'+β'+τ, Rel.8 (left side) = (OS+OI)/(L1+L2), Rel.9 (right side) = (OS+OI)/(L1+L2), Rel.10 (left side) = OS/L1, Rel.11 (right side)= OS/L1, Rel.12 (left side) = OI/L2, Rel.13 (right side) = OI/L2 (Figure 7).

**2.2. Phenotyping experiences at grapevine varieties cultivated in Slovenia**

Morphological descriptions of different parts of the plant at different phenological stages, but also morphometry based on the measurements of parameters of plant organs are the oldest methods used in ampelography. Moreover, quantitative and qualitative analyses of biochemical compounds were also suggested at varietal description [33]. Despite the techni‐ cal advances in biochemical and molecular approaches over the last decades, the descrip‐ tions of morphological characteristics remain an important methodology in the description and research of the diversity among species, varieties and clones. The most commune and used methodologies are descriptions according to the OIV codes [34] and ampelometry, es‐ pecially phyllometry. The advances of morphological descriptions can be characterised as simple, cheap and applicable in the laboratory or directly in the field. Moreover, the presentday studies focus on finding new parameters in order to differentiate the varieties of vine precociously, quickly and efficiently [35]. The average vine leaves were reconstructed by measuring the proposed morphometrical parameters [36], furthermore a system for direct digitizing of phyllometric parameters from leaves was developed [37]. In grapevine collec‐ tions approximately 5-10% of existing varieties are misnamed and even in commercial viti‐ culture, misnaming and confusion related to synonyms and homonyms [38] is a frequent phenomena. We started to collect our allochthon, autochthone, local and endangered variet‐ ies systematically in 1980 and today we have few germplasm collections around Slovenia.

Additional attention has also been given to varietal phenotyping, especially at those variet‐ ies where some misunderstandings in nomination still cause disorders, for example at the varieties 'Vitovska grganja', 'Refošk', 'Rebula', 'Glera', 'Vitouska', 'Garganja' and others, which are frequently treated as an indigenous, autochthonous or landrace varieties in differ‐ ent countries [18]. Some new approaches to accelerate the phenotyping of leaves at different varieties were suggested; for example automatic measurements, as well as the possibility of

Many studies in the last decades demonstrated the importance and contribution of phyllom‐ etry in grapevine description and distinction. The method provides around 82 criteria meas‐ urements of morphometrical characteristics on an individual leaf. According to a high variation in these characteristics among leaves of the same variety at least 10 mature, typi‐ cally varietal leaves should be picked up, scanned or photocopied, placed in herbarium be‐ fore being analysed. In our study we followed that procedure: Herbarium leaves were scanned (with the HP LaserJet M1005scanner) and analysed using AnalySIS image analysis program (Soft Imagining System GmbH). The quantitative base variables required the re‐ construction of an average typical leaf of different varieties measured following the sugges‐ tions from [36] with some modifications. The following morphometrical parameters were measured in all leaves sampled per variety: leaf area (LA), length of nerves (L1, L2, L3, L4), distance from the petiole insertion to upper sinuses (OS), distance from the petiole insertion

*2.2.1. Phyllometrical tolls for phenotyping*

162 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

typical-varietal mature leaf reconstruction [39,40].

*2.2.1.1. Phyllometric measurements*

**Figure 7.** The morphometrical characteristics of mature leaves suggested by different authors [36,41,42].

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency of ampelographic and morphologic methods to evaluate the significance of O.I.V. code lists (Paragraph 2.2.2.2) and phyllometry regarding the varietal diversity. In addition, a graphic reconstruction method was applied and improved to form a typical varietal mature leaf (Figure 9). We evaluated 38 morpholog‐ ic and 22 morphometric parameters per leaf. Statistical analysis was carried out, PCA (prin‐ cipal component analysis) was performed taking into account equations calculated from different leaf variables, and the qualitative variables proposed by the O.I.V. were preceded to Cluster Analysis. The combination of morphologic descriptors and phyllometric measure‐ ments proved to be complementary more than comparable methods. The results of the eval‐ uation of O.I.V. descriptors showed a high level of varietal diversity, whereas accession 'Barbera type Bovcon' and 'Pokalca' as well as 'Barbera' and 'Syrah' showed some similari‐ ties. The most different variety in the group studied according to O.I.V. descriptors was 'Touriga national'. The PCA analysis showed the first three components responsible for more than 82% of the discriminating power. The reconstruction determinants were relations between the depth of the lateral sinuses and lateral veins (PC1), relation between first left lateral vein and central vein, relation between first right lateral vein and central vein (PC2), sum of angles between veins, relation between length of petiole and central vein and depth of the lateral sinuses (PC3). The enumerated relations enable and additionally improve the leaf reconstruction. At the varieties 'Sladkočrn' and 'Refošk' the shallowest lateral sinuses and at 'Tinta pinheira' the deepest ones were observed whereas 'Plovdina' and 'Touriga na‐ tional'showed shorter lateral veins (L1d, L1g) in comparison with the main vein (L). The morphological descriptions and morphometric reconstructions of leaves gave a significant contribution to understanding the grapevine phenotypical biodiversity.

**Figure 8.** Dendrogram of grapevine accessions linked to the designations 'Glera' and 'Rebula' grouped on the basis of the 28 morphometric characteristics of mature leaves [40].

Furthermore, [40] studied 28 morphometric characteristics of leaves in detail and their contri‐ bution to the similarity among accessions with designations linked to 'Glera' and 'Rebula'. Phyllometric measurements affirmed the genotyping of same varieties studied by [29]. At the comparison of the groupings in Figure 5 and Figure 8, the measured 28 morphometric char‐ acteristics give suitable results what suggests that phyllometry grants an indispensable, cheap and credible methodology in the ampelography – varietal description and discrimination.

ic and 22 morphometric parameters per leaf. Statistical analysis was carried out, PCA (prin‐ cipal component analysis) was performed taking into account equations calculated from different leaf variables, and the qualitative variables proposed by the O.I.V. were preceded to Cluster Analysis. The combination of morphologic descriptors and phyllometric measure‐ ments proved to be complementary more than comparable methods. The results of the eval‐ uation of O.I.V. descriptors showed a high level of varietal diversity, whereas accession 'Barbera type Bovcon' and 'Pokalca' as well as 'Barbera' and 'Syrah' showed some similari‐ ties. The most different variety in the group studied according to O.I.V. descriptors was 'Touriga national'. The PCA analysis showed the first three components responsible for more than 82% of the discriminating power. The reconstruction determinants were relations between the depth of the lateral sinuses and lateral veins (PC1), relation between first left lateral vein and central vein, relation between first right lateral vein and central vein (PC2), sum of angles between veins, relation between length of petiole and central vein and depth of the lateral sinuses (PC3). The enumerated relations enable and additionally improve the leaf reconstruction. At the varieties 'Sladkočrn' and 'Refošk' the shallowest lateral sinuses and at 'Tinta pinheira' the deepest ones were observed whereas 'Plovdina' and 'Touriga na‐ tional'showed shorter lateral veins (L1d, L1g) in comparison with the main vein (L). The morphological descriptions and morphometric reconstructions of leaves gave a significant

164 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

contribution to understanding the grapevine phenotypical biodiversity.

**Figure 8.** Dendrogram of grapevine accessions linked to the designations 'Glera' and 'Rebula' grouped on the basis of

Furthermore, [40] studied 28 morphometric characteristics of leaves in detail and their contri‐ bution to the similarity among accessions with designations linked to 'Glera' and 'Rebula'. Phyllometric measurements affirmed the genotyping of same varieties studied by [29]. At the

the 28 morphometric characteristics of mature leaves [40].

**Figure 9.** Graphical reconstruction of leaves of studied grapevine varieties according to determined phyllometric char‐ acteristics [39].

#### *2.2.1.2. Morphological descriptions*

The O.I.V. codes list still remains the most uses and suitable ampelographic tool in context of grapevine description [34]. There are approx. 147 descriptors; each regarding one signifi‐ cant characteristic, which offers a possibility of an accurate description of the main morpho‐ logical parts of the vine, for example shoots tip, shoot, leaf, bunch, berry etc. [34]. For basic and relatively fast description of the varieties, the so called the Primary Descriptor list of OIV codes for Grapevine Varieties and Species *Vitis* was formed [34], which directs a de‐ scription of 14 grapevine characteristics regarding shoots, leaves, bunches and berries. The OIV descriptors, for some leaf characteristics, overlap with phyllometric parameters: OIV 601 = L1, OIV 602 = L2, OIV 603 = L3, OIV 604 = L4, OIV 605 = OS, OIV 606 = OI, OIV 607 = α, OIV 608 = β, OIV 609 = γ, OIV 612 = h1, OIV 613 = b1, OIV 614 = h2, OIV 615 = b2, OIV 618 = l (Figure 7), therefore a collective use of both methodologies upgrades the varietal descrip‐ tion. In few studies we used a different number of OIV codes, what depends especially on the condition of the grapevine, environmental conditions and the scope of the study.

The aim of the first study was the evaluation of selected OIV codes for grapevine descrip‐ tion and discrimination – if the selected OIV code descriptorsare enough informative for a precise varietal discrimination? We sampled from 10 to 12 fully developed leaves from the sixth to ninth node of the shoot per certain variety. For the ampelographic description, shoot tips were sampled in the earlier phenological stages and berries were observed during the whole ripening period. The description and measurements of the particular parts of the vine were conducted according to the instructions of the individual descriptive codes.

**Figure 10.** Dendrogram of grapevine varieties grouped according to the morphological evaluation, OIV codes [43].

According to the obtained data (Figure 10) and to the already acquired knowledge of the studied varieties some expected results revealed – for example similar OIV codes between accessions 'Refošk' and 'Teran Istra', frequently used as synonyms; or 'Pokalca' and 'Syrah' especially because of shape of the leaves berries. On the other hand the applied OIV codes revealed some imprecisions as well, for example similarities between varieties 'Merlot' and 'Cabernet sauvignon'. Therefore we suggest that the grouping according to the OIV code de‐ scriptors should be done and interpreted carefully, as many misunderstandingscould be provoked. For a comparison and interpretation of the studied accessions we suggest that the reference grapevine varieties should be included always, and as many as possible (also with greater differences in characteristics).

*2.2.1.2. Morphological descriptions*

166 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The O.I.V. codes list still remains the most uses and suitable ampelographic tool in context of grapevine description [34]. There are approx. 147 descriptors; each regarding one signifi‐ cant characteristic, which offers a possibility of an accurate description of the main morpho‐ logical parts of the vine, for example shoots tip, shoot, leaf, bunch, berry etc. [34]. For basic and relatively fast description of the varieties, the so called the Primary Descriptor list of OIV codes for Grapevine Varieties and Species *Vitis* was formed [34], which directs a de‐ scription of 14 grapevine characteristics regarding shoots, leaves, bunches and berries. The OIV descriptors, for some leaf characteristics, overlap with phyllometric parameters: OIV 601 = L1, OIV 602 = L2, OIV 603 = L3, OIV 604 = L4, OIV 605 = OS, OIV 606 = OI, OIV 607 = α, OIV 608 = β, OIV 609 = γ, OIV 612 = h1, OIV 613 = b1, OIV 614 = h2, OIV 615 = b2, OIV 618 = l (Figure 7), therefore a collective use of both methodologies upgrades the varietal descrip‐ tion. In few studies we used a different number of OIV codes, what depends especially on

the condition of the grapevine, environmental conditions and the scope of the study.

were conducted according to the instructions of the individual descriptive codes.

**Figure 10.** Dendrogram of grapevine varieties grouped according to the morphological evaluation, OIV codes [43].

The aim of the first study was the evaluation of selected OIV codes for grapevine descrip‐ tion and discrimination – if the selected OIV code descriptorsare enough informative for a precise varietal discrimination? We sampled from 10 to 12 fully developed leaves from the sixth to ninth node of the shoot per certain variety. For the ampelographic description, shoot tips were sampled in the earlier phenological stages and berries were observed during the whole ripening period. The description and measurements of the particular parts of the vine

The further studies was focused on the variations, differences and possible mistakes linked to the subjective evaluations regarding OIV codes, where different descriptions of the same variety/accession were collected and compared. Therefore we selected accessions where many misunderstanding still provoke - accessions regarding the designations 'Vitovska' and 'Garganja' (Table 5) [18]. The misunderstandings in variety nomination are generally a re‐ sult of false and misleading facts, which can partly be explained by neglect in observations and descriptions of variety characteristics, especially among those with a similar phenotype.



OIV

code **Descriptor VG VGI\* V\* G\* M\*,**

 Shoot: length of tendrils 5 5 Young leaf: colour of upper side of blade (4th leaf) 2,41 3 1 3 2-3, (2-3\*\*)

 Mature leaf: size of blade 7 7\*\* Mature leaf: shape of blade 3 3 4 4 4, (1,4\*\*) Mature leaf: number of lobes 3 2-3 3 2 5, (3\*\*) Mature leaf: colour of the upper side of blade 7 7\*\*

Mature leaf: goffering of blade 5 5 5 5 3, (7\*\*)

 Mature leaf: profile of blade in cross section 4 5 5 5 1 Mature leaf: blistering of upper side of blade 5 3 7 3 3 Mature leaf: shape of teeth 3 2,4 4 5 3, (2\*\*) Mature leaf: length of teeth compared with their width 3 5\*\*

 Mature leaf: shape of base of petiole sinus 1 3 1 3 1, (2\*\*) 081-1 Mature leaf: teeth in the petiole sinus 1 1 1 1 1 081-2 Mature leaf: petiole sinus base limited by vein 1 1 1 1 3

083-2 Mature leaf: teeth in the upper lateral sinus 1 1 1 1 1

Young leaf: density of prostrate hairs between main veins

Young leaf: density of erect hairs between main veins on

Young leaf: density of prostrate hairs on main veins on

Young leaf: density of erect hairs on main veins on lower

Mature leaf: area of anthocyanin coloration of main veins

Mature leaf: area of anthocyanin coloration of main veins

Mature leaf: undulation of blade between main or lateral

Mature leaf: degree of opening / overlapping of petiole

Mature leaf: degree of opening/overlapping of upper

083-1 Mature leaf: shape of the base of upper lateral sinuses 1

Mature leaf: density of prostrate hairs between main veins

Mature leaf: density of prostrate hairs on main veins on

on lower side of blade (4th leaf)

The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

lower side of blade (4th leaf)

lower side of blade (4th leaf)

side of blade (4th leaf)

on upper side of blade

on lower side of blade

veins

sinus

lateral sinuses

on lower side of blade

lower side of blade

**\*\***

7 8 7 5-7

1 2 2 1

5 2 7 7

1 6 5 7

2-3




OIV

170 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

code **Descriptor VG VGI\* V\* G\* M\*,**

 Berry: formation of seed 3 3 3 3 3, (3\*\*) Berry: length of seeds 5,7 5,7\*\* Berry: weight of seeds 3 3-5\*\* Berry: transversal ridges on dorsal side of seeds 1 1 1 Time of bud burst 7 3 3

303 Time of beginning of berry ripening (vérasion) 5 5 5 304 Time of full physiological maturity of the berry 5 7\*\*

351 Vigour of shoot growth 7 8 5, (5-7\*\*)

353 Length of internodes 3-5 3\*\* 354 Diameter of internodes 3 3\*\*

 Bunch: single bunch weight (g) 3 3 5, (3\*\*) Berry: single berry weight (g) 1-3 3 1, (1-3\*\*) Yield per m2 (kg) 3-53 5, (3\*\*) Sugar content of must 3 3 5 5, (5\*\*) Total acidity of must 3-54 3 5 5, (5\*\*) Must specific pH 3,55 3 7 Mature leaf: length of vein N1 (mm) = L1 \*\*\* 5 7 5\*\* Mature leaf: length of vein N2 (mm) = L2 \*\*\* 5 9 5\*\* Mature leaf: length of vein N3 (mm) = L3 \*\*\* 5-7 7 5-7\*\* Mature leaf: length of vein N4 (mm) = L4 \*\*\* 9 9 9\*\*

5 7 7\*\*

7 7 5\*\*

302 Time of full bloom 5-7

305 Time of beginning of wood maturity 7 306 Autumn coloration of leaves 1

352 Growth of lateral shoot 5

 Resistance to iron chlorosis 1 Resistance to chlorides (salt) 1 Resistance to drought 7 Leaf: degree of resistance to *Plasmopara* 5 Cluster: degree of resistance to *Plasmopara* 5 Leaf: degree of resistance to *Oidium* 1,3 Cluster: degree of resistance to *Oidium* 1,3 Leaf: degree of resistance to *Botrytis* 5 Cluster: degree of resistance to *Botrytis* 5 Percentage of berry set 5

607 Mature leaf: angle between N1 and N2 measured at the

608 Mature leaf: angle between N2 and N3 measured at the

first ramification (°) = α\*\*\*

first ramification (°) = β\*\*\*

**\*\***

**Table 5.** Ampelographic description according to O.I.V. descriptor codes and morphometric characteristics of 'Vitovska grganja' (VG), 'Vitovska grganija' (VGI), 'Vitouska' (V), 'Grganja' (G) and 'Maraština' (M) varieties [18]. \*-[44]; \*\*-[45]; \*\*\*-parameters of phyllometry [18]; 1-copper-reddish between veins; yellow around veins; 2-yellow and reddish; 3-0.8-1 kg m-2; 4-total acidity 5.6 - 8.2 g L-1; 5-pH 3.10 - 3.45.

The study was carried out on grapevine (*Vitis vinifera* L.) varieties cultivated in Slovenia, Croatia and Italia, mostly known as 'Vitovska', 'Vitouska', 'Grganja' and 'Garganija' but also referred to as indigenous or landrace varieties from the mentioned countries [1,7,28]. The studied varieties, with an additional focus on the 'Vitovska grganja' variety, were mostly taken from germplasm collections: 'Vitovska grganja' from Slovenia, 'Vitouska', 'Ribolla gialla' and 'Prosecco' from Italy, 'Garganja' and 'Maraština' from Croatia.

The comparison of the ampelographic descriptions, morphometric and phyllometric charac‐ teristics among the 'Vitovska grganja' (VG), 'Vitovska grganija' (VGI), 'Vitouska' (V), 'Grganja' (G) and 'Maraština' (M) varieties is presented in Table 5. The ampelographic de‐ scriptions of the VGI, V and G varieties highly differed from the VG and M varieties [18]. Similarities between VG and M varieties were observed in the characteristics of young and mature shoots, the opening shoot tips showed similar anthocyanin coloration and a similar intensity and coloration of prostrate hairs. Similarities between VGI and M varieties have to be underlined, especially in the size of young and mature leaves, dark green coloured upper side of the blade, both convex shaped sides of the teeth. The latter descriptor was in contrast to the report of [45], where both sides were described as straight. Moreover, [45] described the shape of the petiole base sinus of the M variety as 'U'-shaped whereas in [44] it is shown brace-shaped, what is also in accordance with our observations on VG variety. Both M and VG varieties were characterized by high density prostrate hairiness between the main veins on the lower side of the blade; however, hair density differed at other blades/vein parts. Our observations regarding the depth of the upper lateral sinuses of VG variety coincided with those mentioned by [45] for the M variety. In our study, M variety had a lower fertility of basal buds (1-3) compared to VG variety and also to the results reported by [45].

A comparison of bunch and berry characteristics among the studied varieties were also re‐ ported [18], what partly explains the reasons of the misuse of the variety nominations due to the rather similar phenotypes. All studied varieties have a cylindrical or conical shape of the bunches, obloid and globose berries, and a bunch length ranging between 160 and 200 mm with the exception of M and VG varieties, where berries are distinctively shorter and nar‐ rower. The description of single bunch and berry weight, as well as yield of the M variety reported by [45], coincided with our description for the VG variety. On the other hand, many significant differences were observed among the studied varieties, also between VG and M variety. Compared to M variety, the VG variety blooms later, has thinner berry skin, higher must yield, less firm flesh, shorter length of pedicle, lower sugar and total acidity content and lower specific pH level of the must. Moreover VG also has later bud bursting, but reaches full physiological maturity of the berry earlier. [18] found also some similarities among the studied varieties, specifically in morphometrical characteristics of mature leaves. Significant similarities were observed between our measurements of the VG variety and da‐ ta cited by [45] for the M variety, which only differed in 'α' and 'β' angles. The comparison of phenotypic characteristics of the studied varieties showed many similarities, which sug‐ gests that a consistent attention to the ampelographic distinguishing among varieties, espe‐ cially among those with the same designations or synonyms, has to be emphasized in the future.

#### **3. Conclusions**

The grapevine genepool is particularly vulnerable in the marginal areas of its distribution range. Many grapevine varieties have been already described and their genotypes deter‐ mined; but many local grapevine accessions remain unidentified and their ampelographic characteristics overlooked. Accurate ampelographic description of variety should be done with combined methodologies which involve morphological description and DNA analyses. In the last decade a great effort was given to the DNA analyses – genotyping of the grapevine varieties, and quite soon revealed that DNA analyses is simply not enough to answer all questions about varietal discrimination and description. Parallel to the development of genetic techniques, the morphological and morphometric evaluations have fall into oblivion. Although, microsatel‐ lites are very powerful means of identifying synonyms in germplasm collections, they have to be supported with morphological descriptions, what was also demonstrated in our research‐ es. Only such works will allow a characterization of a large number of varieties/accessions and will contribute to improve the organization of grapevine collections and the possibility of exchanging true-to-type material. The presented works are a first step towards true-to-type identification, which will facilitate the registration of varieties and allow growers to be sure of the value of their products. Starting true-to-type variety identification by comparing re‐ sults with neighbouring, historically linked areas, will significantly clarify the confusion in nomenclature and help determine the origin and relationships among varieties over the whole area. In the future all the obtained results from different studies should be upgraded to the same database for grapevine varieties, to obtain a total overview of World germplasm, what may be the key to stop the erosion of the many varieties.

#### **Author details**

Denis Rusjan\*

reported by [45], coincided with our description for the VG variety. On the other hand, many significant differences were observed among the studied varieties, also between VG and M variety. Compared to M variety, the VG variety blooms later, has thinner berry skin, higher must yield, less firm flesh, shorter length of pedicle, lower sugar and total acidity content and lower specific pH level of the must. Moreover VG also has later bud bursting, but reaches full physiological maturity of the berry earlier. [18] found also some similarities among the studied varieties, specifically in morphometrical characteristics of mature leaves. Significant similarities were observed between our measurements of the VG variety and da‐ ta cited by [45] for the M variety, which only differed in 'α' and 'β' angles. The comparison of phenotypic characteristics of the studied varieties showed many similarities, which sug‐ gests that a consistent attention to the ampelographic distinguishing among varieties, espe‐ cially among those with the same designations or synonyms, has to be emphasized in the

The grapevine genepool is particularly vulnerable in the marginal areas of its distribution range. Many grapevine varieties have been already described and their genotypes deter‐ mined; but many local grapevine accessions remain unidentified and their ampelographic characteristics overlooked. Accurate ampelographic description of variety should be done with combined methodologies which involve morphological description and DNA analyses. In the last decade a great effort was given to the DNA analyses – genotyping of the grapevine varieties, and quite soon revealed that DNA analyses is simply not enough to answer all questions about varietal discrimination and description. Parallel to the development of genetic techniques, the morphological and morphometric evaluations have fall into oblivion. Although, microsatel‐ lites are very powerful means of identifying synonyms in germplasm collections, they have to be supported with morphological descriptions, what was also demonstrated in our research‐ es. Only such works will allow a characterization of a large number of varieties/accessions and will contribute to improve the organization of grapevine collections and the possibility of exchanging true-to-type material. The presented works are a first step towards true-to-type identification, which will facilitate the registration of varieties and allow growers to be sure of the value of their products. Starting true-to-type variety identification by comparing re‐ sults with neighbouring, historically linked areas, will significantly clarify the confusion in nomenclature and help determine the origin and relationships among varieties over the whole area. In the future all the obtained results from different studies should be upgraded to the same database for grapevine varieties, to obtain a total overview of World germplasm, what

may be the key to stop the erosion of the many varieties.

future.

**3. Conclusions**

172 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Address all correspondence to: denis.rusjan@bf.uni-lj.si

Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

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### **Italian National Database of Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils**

Annalisa Rotondi, Massimiliano Magli, Lucia Morrone, Barbara Alfei and Giorgio Pannelli

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/51772

#### **1. Introduction**

The abundance of indigenous Italian olive germplasm, numbering over 800 cultivars [1] and rising, guarantees the ongoing production of high quality extra virgin olive oils, thus contri‐ buting to the preservation of much of the ancient genetic biodiversity of the olive.

The *Olea Europea* species has maintained much of its genetic diversity as a result of limited genetic erosion. This is due to breeding programs of this species having begun relatively re‐ cently compared to those of other fruit species.

Knowledge and development of the characteristics of Italian monovarietal extra virgin olive oils will also lead to an improvement in knowledge of the areas where these oils are pro‐ duced, in turn developing tourism, a crucial sector for the Italian economy.

In Italy, new regulation was recently introduced forcing virgin and extra virgin olive oil pro‐ ducers to indicate the location of both olive harvest and oil production. More recently the European Commission has established compulsory standards for the labelling of origin for extra virgin and virgin olive oils (Reg EC n.182/2009). The significant increase in demand for extra virgin olive oils is due not only to the health benefits it offers, but also to its organolep‐ tic properties; the large number of Italian olive cultivars allows for the production of differ‐ ent monovarietal oils marked out by a wide range of pleasant flavours.

As the genotype of origin affects the chemical and sensory characteristics of extra virgin olive oil deeply, the preservation and characterization of authocthonous cultivars and clones play a key role in the marketing of high quality olive oils.

© 2013 Rotondi et al.; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Rotondi et al.; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Conservation of genetic resources for olives has important implications for both adaptation of the cultivars to their local environment and their agronomical performance under specific conditions. This also implies that every initiative to promote olive cultivation ought to take into consideration the local varieties and also that every region should preserve its own plant material to safeguard olive adaptation and productivity and to maintain the intrinsic characteristics of its olive oil which represent a deep connection with the territory of origin.

In the EU olive oils can be linked to the cultivar of origin and in turn to its area of produc‐ tion under the rules of the Protected Denominations of Origin (PDO) or of the European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

Several typical Italian extra virgin olive oils have qualified for PDO and PGI status, as many as 42 PDO and 1 PGI. Generally, these products are blends of different varieties according to the different cultivar percentage reported in the Product specification; some Italian PDO oils are obtained from the transformation of a single cultivar (monovarietal oils) for example the PDO Nostrana di Brisighella.

Italian olive cultivation is marked out by its extremely rich and varied varietal heritage. An important objective being pursued by every region is the protection and preservation of au‐ tochthonous Italian olive cultivars. This can be seen in the spread of regional varietal cata‐ logs and also in the ongoing rise in the number of monovarietal olive oils taking part in the Italian National Review of Monovarietal olive oils as organized by ASSAM Marche [2].

In Italy this review serves to characterize monovarietal oils in terms of both chemical and sensory profiles. The organization of events, courses and forums involving olive farmers, crushers, consumers and catering operators has contributed to an improvement in the visi‐ bility of the market for Italian monovarietal olive oils. Studies into the quality of monovarie‐ tal oils increase the value of the product while showcasing the region of origin and educating the consumer about their nutritional and organoleptic value.

In Italy the market for monovarietal and organic oils is growing due to consumers paying greater attention to both flavour and health benefits of the product.

#### **2. The Italian National Database**

ASSAM and IBIMET-CNR have created and are managing a database of chemical and sen‐ sory profiles of extra virgin oils participating in the Italian National Review of Monovarietal olive oils. This dynamic database includes a large number of observations for each mono‐ varietal oil, and can allow for ongoing updates every year, thus providing more accurate chemical and sensory average data for the oils. For each monocultivar oil, chemical and sen‐ sory profiles were calculated and described, including a large number of oil samples from different regions.

The Review reached its ninth edition as of 2004, and the large number of oil samples has led to improvements in results, in turn diminishing the effect of the main variables which have a significant influence on the quality of the oil: seasonality, ripening and different milling technologies.

Conservation of genetic resources for olives has important implications for both adaptation of the cultivars to their local environment and their agronomical performance under specific conditions. This also implies that every initiative to promote olive cultivation ought to take into consideration the local varieties and also that every region should preserve its own plant material to safeguard olive adaptation and productivity and to maintain the intrinsic characteristics of its olive oil which represent a deep connection with the territory of origin. In the EU olive oils can be linked to the cultivar of origin and in turn to its area of produc‐ tion under the rules of the Protected Denominations of Origin (PDO) or of the European

Several typical Italian extra virgin olive oils have qualified for PDO and PGI status, as many as 42 PDO and 1 PGI. Generally, these products are blends of different varieties according to the different cultivar percentage reported in the Product specification; some Italian PDO oils are obtained from the transformation of a single cultivar (monovarietal oils) for example the

Italian olive cultivation is marked out by its extremely rich and varied varietal heritage. An important objective being pursued by every region is the protection and preservation of au‐ tochthonous Italian olive cultivars. This can be seen in the spread of regional varietal cata‐ logs and also in the ongoing rise in the number of monovarietal olive oils taking part in the Italian National Review of Monovarietal olive oils as organized by ASSAM Marche [2].

In Italy this review serves to characterize monovarietal oils in terms of both chemical and sensory profiles. The organization of events, courses and forums involving olive farmers, crushers, consumers and catering operators has contributed to an improvement in the visi‐ bility of the market for Italian monovarietal olive oils. Studies into the quality of monovarie‐ tal oils increase the value of the product while showcasing the region of origin and

In Italy the market for monovarietal and organic oils is growing due to consumers paying

ASSAM and IBIMET-CNR have created and are managing a database of chemical and sen‐ sory profiles of extra virgin oils participating in the Italian National Review of Monovarietal olive oils. This dynamic database includes a large number of observations for each mono‐ varietal oil, and can allow for ongoing updates every year, thus providing more accurate chemical and sensory average data for the oils. For each monocultivar oil, chemical and sen‐ sory profiles were calculated and described, including a large number of oil samples from

The Review reached its ninth edition as of 2004, and the large number of oil samples has led to improvements in results, in turn diminishing the effect of the main variables which

educating the consumer about their nutritional and organoleptic value.

greater attention to both flavour and health benefits of the product.

Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

180 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**2. The Italian National Database**

different regions.

PDO Nostrana di Brisighella.

Sensory analysis was laid out by the "ASSAM – Marche Panel" as recognized by the IOOC (International Olive Oil Council) and the Italian Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policy under the conditions described in EC Reg. 640/2008.

The 150 samples collected during the first and the second year (edition 2004-2005) were used to identify the specific descriptors for the sensory analyses of monovarietal extra virgin olive oil and to set up the relative profile sheet [3].

Each panellist smelled and tasted the oil, in order to analyse olfactory, gustatory, tactile and kinaesthetic characteristics. Thirteen attributes were evaluated: 9 during the olfactory phase (olive fruity, olive fresh leaf, grass, fresh almond, artichoke, tomato, apple, berries and aro‐ matic herbs) and 4 during the gustatory phase (olive fruity, bitter, pungent and fluidity). At‐ tributes were assessed on an oriented 10-cm line scale and quantified measuring the location of the mark from the origin. Data obtained for the 13 descriptors were used to define the sensory profile of each sample using the median values [4].

Fatty acid composition, determined according to Reg. EC Reg.796/2002 methodology [5], and total phenolic content determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method expressed as milligrams of gallic acid per kilogram of oil, were determined by Cen‐ tro Agrochimico ASSAM, Jesi (AN).

Chemical and sensory data were processed using SAS 9.1.3 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Explorative analysis and descriptive statistics were performed for each set of data in order to identify outliers, extreme observations and to obtain distributional properties of the data. Descriptive measures (moments, basic measures of location and variability, confidence intervals for the mean, standard deviation, and variance) of chemical and sensory variables were calculated for each monovarietal oil.

Currently, the database includes 2092 oils produced from 130 different cultivars from 18 Ital‐ ian regions. Nutritional properties, expressed as fatty acid and total phenol content, and the sensory profiles of each Italian monovarietal oil were published in the Catalogue of Italian Monovarietal oils [6] and at http://www.olimonovarietali.it

Below are listed the average sensory profiles of the 16 most represented monovarietal oils. The number of samples belonging to each cultivar are indicated in brackets: Ascolana Ten‐ era (36 samples), Bianchera (34), Biancolilla (28), Bosana (133), Casaliva (39), Coratina (80), Frantoio (122), Itrana (102), Leccino (105), Mignola (38), Moraiolo (83), Nocellara del Belice (49), Peranzana (47), Piantone di Mogliano (57), Raggia (54), Ravece (101).

**Figure 1.** Ascolana Tenera – Marche region. Sensory profile: intense olive fruity, strongly grassy with hints of tomato and artichoke; balanced in taste, with medium intensity of bitter and pungent notes.

**Figure 2.** Bosana – Sardegna region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity, grassy with prevalent scent of thistle and artichoke and hints of almond and tomato. Medium intensity of bitter and pungent notes.

**Figure 3.** Bianchera – Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Sensory profile: medium-intense olive fruity, with grassy scent, arti‐ choke, almond and tomato; medium bitter and pungent flavours.

**Figure 1.** Ascolana Tenera – Marche region. Sensory profile: intense olive fruity, strongly grassy with hints of tomato

**Figure 2.** Bosana – Sardegna region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity, grassy with prevalent scent of thistle and

artichoke and hints of almond and tomato. Medium intensity of bitter and pungent notes.

and artichoke; balanced in taste, with medium intensity of bitter and pungent notes.

182 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**Figure 4.** Casaliva – Lago di Garda area. Sensory profile: medium-intense olive fruity, with marked almond scent and light flavour of grass and artichoke; well balanced taste with medium intensity of bitter and pungent notes.

**Figure 5.** Biancolilla – Sicilia region. Sensory profile: medium-intense olive fruity, with a marked grass scent and light hint of almond, artichoke and tomato; bitter and pungent flavours are of medium-light intensity.

**Figure 6.** Coratina – Puglia region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity, with a marked fresh almond scent together with notes of grass and artichoke; bitter and pungent flavours are of medium-high intensity.

**Figure 7.** Frantoio – Central-North Italy. Sensory profile: medium-high olive fruity, with a marked fresh almond and and light flavour of grass and artichoke; bitter and pungent flavours are of medium intensity.

**Figure 5.** Biancolilla – Sicilia region. Sensory profile: medium-intense olive fruity, with a marked grass scent and light

**Figure 6.** Coratina – Puglia region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity, with a marked fresh almond scent together

with notes of grass and artichoke; bitter and pungent flavours are of medium-high intensity.

hint of almond, artichoke and tomato; bitter and pungent flavours are of medium-light intensity.

184 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**Figure 8.** Itrana – Lazio region. Sensory profile: high olive fruity intensity, with grass, tomato and artichoke scent and light almond flavor; well balanced taste with a bitter and pungent medium-light intensity.

**Figure 9.** Leccino – North-central Italy. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with almond scent and light grass and artichoke flavor; medium intensity of pungency and bitter taste

**Figure 10.** Mignola – Marche region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with a peculiar flavor of soft fruits; medium intensity of pungency notes and marked bitter taste.

**Figure 11.** Nocellara del Belice – Sicilia region. Sensory profile: medium-high olive fruity intensity, with grassy and to‐ mato notes and light scent of artichoke and almond; well balanced taste with medium intensity of bitter and pungen‐ cy notes.

**Figure 9.** Leccino – North-central Italy. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with almond scent and light grass

**Figure 10.** Mignola – Marche region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with a peculiar flavor of soft fruits;

and artichoke flavor; medium intensity of pungency and bitter taste

186 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

medium intensity of pungency notes and marked bitter taste.

**Figure 12.** Piantone di Mogliano – Marche region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with almond scent; medium-light intensity of pungency and bitter taste.

**Figure 13.** Moraiolo – Central Italy. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with scents of grass, almond and artichoke; medium intensity of pungency and bitter taste.

**Figure 14.** Peranzana – Puglia region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with scent of grass, artichoke, al‐ mond and tomato; medium intensity of pungency and bitter taste.

**Figure 15.** Raggia – Marche region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with strong green almond scent and light grass and artichoke flavor; well balanced to taste with medium intensity of pungency and bitter taste.

**Figure 13.** Moraiolo – Central Italy. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with scents of grass, almond and

**Figure 14.** Peranzana – Puglia region. Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with scent of grass, artichoke, al‐

artichoke; medium intensity of pungency and bitter taste.

188 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

mond and tomato; medium intensity of pungency and bitter taste.

**Figure 16.** Ravece – Campania region. Sensory profile: medium-high olive fruity intensity, with grass, tomato and arti‐ choke scent along with light almond scent; medium intensity of pungency and bitter taste.

### **3. The monovarietal olive oil quality and the influence of genetic matrix and of crop year on chemical and sensory profiles**

The availability of this monovarietal oil database allows for a statistic elaboration of the data in order to meet different aims of the research into olive cultivation and olive oil quality. Some studies will be carried out considering the cultivars Frantoio and Leccino, which are widespread along the Italian peninsula, in order to evaluate the effect of the environment (climate, altitude and latitude) on the chemical and sensory profiles of mon‐ ovarietal olive oils.

Moreover the quality and typicality of extra virgin olive oil are primarily determined by genetic, agronomical, environmental factors, and by technological parameters of oil process‐ ing [7,8,9]. Genetic matrix (cultivar) plays a key role in the chemical and sensory quality of the oil [10].

It is important to underline that a smaller number of studies has considered the season‐ al effect on the chemical and sensory profile of olive oil. The seasonality, which is deep‐ ly related to the different climate events of the crop year, may influence the ripening process of olives, thus affecting the oil composition and the resulting quality of olive oil. This thesis is supported by a study carried out by IBIMET-CNR and ASSAM on the eval‐ uation of the influence of the cultivar and seasonality, as well as their interaction on mon‐ ovarietal oil composition.

The study was performed on 1108 monovarietal oils from the 16 most representative Ital‐ ian cultivars.

Nutritional properties, expressed as fatty acid and total phenols contents, and the sensory profiles were considered.

The procedure was based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA) by a complete factorial de‐ sign in order to examine treatment interdependencies (variety and crop year). A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was also performed on chemical and sensory data separately, using mean values of each crop year of each cultivar collected.

Fatty acids with the highest index of variability (heptadecenoic, linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic) were selected according to their p-level and F-values and submitted to PCA.

Table 1 reports mean values and comparison of mean separation analysis of the fatty acids belonging to the 1108 monovarietal olive oil samples. Regarding oleic acid, the contents of which as reported to EC Official Reg. EC Reg.702/2007 [11] range from 55 to 83%, the range of oleic acid of oils considered in this study varied from 71% to 77% showing their high nu‐ tritional level, some cultivars such as Coratina and Itrana are characterized by the produc‐ tion with the highest amount of acid oleic (above 77%).

Considering organoleptic quality, Table 2 shows mean values and comparison of mean sep‐ aration analysis of the sensory attributes of the monovarietal oils. All monovarietal oils have presented significant intensities of grass attributes with the highest levels of 3.2 noted in As‐ colana Tenera and Biancolilla. Considering the peculiar attributes, which are heavily culti‐ var–dependent, such as fresh almond, artichoke, tomato, aromatic herbs and berries [12, 13], oils produced by Coratina, Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo and Piantone di Mogliano are distin‐ guished for their high intensity of fresh almond, a typical pleasant flavour which character‐ ized these cultivars.

**3. The monovarietal olive oil quality and the influence of genetic matrix**

The availability of this monovarietal oil database allows for a statistic elaboration of the data in order to meet different aims of the research into olive cultivation and olive oil quality. Some studies will be carried out considering the cultivars Frantoio and Leccino, which are widespread along the Italian peninsula, in order to evaluate the effect of the environment (climate, altitude and latitude) on the chemical and sensory profiles of mon‐

Moreover the quality and typicality of extra virgin olive oil are primarily determined by genetic, agronomical, environmental factors, and by technological parameters of oil process‐ ing [7,8,9]. Genetic matrix (cultivar) plays a key role in the chemical and sensory quality of

It is important to underline that a smaller number of studies has considered the season‐ al effect on the chemical and sensory profile of olive oil. The seasonality, which is deep‐ ly related to the different climate events of the crop year, may influence the ripening process of olives, thus affecting the oil composition and the resulting quality of olive oil. This thesis is supported by a study carried out by IBIMET-CNR and ASSAM on the eval‐ uation of the influence of the cultivar and seasonality, as well as their interaction on mon‐

The study was performed on 1108 monovarietal oils from the 16 most representative Ital‐

Nutritional properties, expressed as fatty acid and total phenols contents, and the sensory

The procedure was based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA) by a complete factorial de‐ sign in order to examine treatment interdependencies (variety and crop year). A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was also performed on chemical and sensory data separately,

Fatty acids with the highest index of variability (heptadecenoic, linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic) were selected according to their p-level and F-values and submitted to PCA.

Table 1 reports mean values and comparison of mean separation analysis of the fatty acids belonging to the 1108 monovarietal olive oil samples. Regarding oleic acid, the contents of which as reported to EC Official Reg. EC Reg.702/2007 [11] range from 55 to 83%, the range of oleic acid of oils considered in this study varied from 71% to 77% showing their high nu‐ tritional level, some cultivars such as Coratina and Itrana are characterized by the produc‐

Considering organoleptic quality, Table 2 shows mean values and comparison of mean sep‐ aration analysis of the sensory attributes of the monovarietal oils. All monovarietal oils have presented significant intensities of grass attributes with the highest levels of 3.2 noted in As‐

using mean values of each crop year of each cultivar collected.

tion with the highest amount of acid oleic (above 77%).

**and of crop year on chemical and sensory profiles**

190 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

ovarietal olive oils.

ovarietal oil composition.

profiles were considered.

the oil [10].

ian cultivars.


**Table 1.** Mean values and comparison of mean separation analysis (ANOVA) of the fatty acids relative to the 1108 monovarietal olive oil samples.

All monovarietal oils considered in this study presented a significant intensity of arti‐ choke flavours.

Bosana, Peranzana, Itrana and Ravece oils exhibited the highest intensity, while in Pian‐ tone di Mogliano and Leccino oils, slight artichoke attributes were noted. With regard to this last attribute, oils of Ravece, Ascolana Tenera and Itrana are distinguished also for their high intensity of tomato flavour. Berries flavour characterized the oil produced by the Mignola cultivar.

All monovarietal extra virgin olive oil considered in this study were characterized by a significant level of bitterness showing a range from 3.9 to 5.3. In particular Piantone di Mogliano, and Biancolilla oils presented the lowest intensity of bitterness. It is interest‐ ing to underline that the same oils were also characterized by a lower total phenol con‐ tent (see tab. 1). By contrast, the monovarietal oils of Coratina, Bianchera and Mignola which exhibited the highest intensity of bitterness, also showed the highest phenolic content.


**Table 2.** Mean values and comparison of mean separation analysis (ANOVA) of the sensory attributes relative to the 1108 monovarietal olive oil samples.

Regarding the influence of the genetic matrix and the crop year in Table 3 we see that in all fatty acids analysed, the effects of the cultivar and crop year are highly significant. The effect of the interaction between the two factors is also highly significant on the content of fatty acid, with the exception of palmitoleic, heptadecenoic and heptadecanoic acids. Also the to‐ tal phenolic contents are heavily influenced by both the cultivar and the year, as well as the interaction between the two factors. It is interesting to underline that both factors (cultivar and crop year) have similarly significant influence on the contents of the most important fat‐ ty acids as linoleic, linolenic, oleic, palmitic and palmitoleic.

**Olive fruity Grass Fresh almond Artichoke Tomato**

**Bitter Pungent**

ASCOLANA T. 5.9a 3.2a 0.9h 1.8bcde 2.7a BIANCHERA 5.3cde 2.2def 2.1ef 1.6cdef 1.0c BIANCOLILLA 5.4cd 3.2a 1.8f 1.8bcde 1.0c BOSANA 5.3de 2.6bcd 1.7fg 2.3a 0.8cd CASALIVA 5.4cd 2.4cd 3.3a 1.5defg 0.2e CORATINA 5.1efg 1.9efg 2.5cde 1.7bcde 0.3e FRANTOIO 5.2def 2.3de 2.9abc 1.7cdef 0.3e ITRANA 5.7ab 3.1a 1.3gh 2.2ab 2.3b LECCINO 4.8gh 1.8fgh 2.6bcd 1.1g 0.2e MIGNOLA 5.0fg 1.4h 1.2h 0.6h 0.1e MORAIOLO 5.2def 2.3de 2.4de 2.0abcd 0.4de NOCELLARA B. 5.6bc 2.9ab 1.3gh 1.8bcde 2.5ab PERANZANA 5.2def 2.8abc 1.8f 2.3a 1.1c PIANTONE M. 4.7h 1.7gh 2.2de 1.2fg 0.4de RAGGIA 4.8gh 1.7gh 3.0ab 1.4efg 0.1e RAVECE 5.7ab 2.8abc 1.3gh 2.1abc 2.5Ab

**Berries Aromatic**

192 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

1108 monovarietal olive oil samples.

**herbs**

ASCOLANA T. 0.0b 0.4a 4.7cd 5.0ab BIANCHERA 0.0b 0.1c 5.1ab 5.2a BIANCOLILLA 0.0b 0.1c 4.0f 4.5cdef BOSANA 0.0b 0.1c 4.8bc 4.7bcd CASALIVA 0.0b 0.1c 4.3def 4.5cdef CORATINA 0.0b 0.1c 5.3a 5.0ab FRANTOIO 0.1b 0.1c 4.7cde 4.7bcd ITRANA 0.0b 0.3ab 4.2f 4.2ef LECCINO 0.0b 0.1c 4.3ef 4.4def MIGNOLA 1.8a 0.3abc 5.1ab 4.7bcd MORAIOLO 0.0b 0.1c 5.0abc 4.8bc NOCELLARA B. 0.0b 0.2bc 4.1f 4.5cde PERANZANA 0.0b 0.1c 4.2f 4.1f PIANTONE M. 0.0b 0.1c 3.9f 4.4cdef RAGGIA 0.0b 0.1c 4.1f 4.5cdef RAVECE 0.0b 0.2bc 4.7bcd 4.9ab

**Table 2.** Mean values and comparison of mean separation analysis (ANOVA) of the sensory attributes relative to the

For oleic and palmitoleic the main factor was, however, the cultivar, in fact ANOVA proce‐ dure explains the 68.30% and 70.32% of its variation respectively. The cultivar did not repre‐ sent a great source of variability for linolenic acid: only 7.88%, while the crop year shows a variation of 85.95%.


**Table 3.** Variability expressed as percent of the Total Sum of the Squares for fatty acid composition and total phenols. \*, \*\*, \*\*\* Significant F-values the 0.05 (\*), 0.01 (\*\*) or 0.001 (\*\*\*) level, respectively; ns = nonsignificant.

The sensory profiles of the 1108 oil samples were submitted to the ANOVA procedure by a complete factorial design. The effect of the cultivar factor is highly significant on the sensory attributes. Olive fruity, grass, fresh almond, tomato and berries were strongly influenced by the cultivar. For these attributes the variability, expressed as percentage of the total sum of the squares, the cultivar factor is characterized by a range from 71.77% to 90.75%. In general the crop year factor for all the sensory attributes remains limited and the interaction with the cultivar is not significant with the exception of berries, bit‐ ter and pungent (table 4).


**Table 4.** Variability expressed as percent of the Total Sum of the Squares for sensory attributes. \*, \*\*, \*\*\* Significant Fvalues the 0.05 (\*), 0.01 (\*\*) or 0.001 (\*\*\*) level, respectively; ns =not significant.

#### **4. The Italian olive oil typology**

The decision to carry out a study of a large number of labelled commercial extra virgin olive oils was taken in order to provide the consumer with information about the chemical and sensory properties of extra virgin olive oils which are currently available on the Italian mar‐ ket. The commercial potential of the monovarietal oils can be exploited either in terms of purity, relying on the specific characteristics of the single cultivar, or mixing the monovarietal oils from each cultivars as a "blend" based on the different typologies of Italian olive oil.

For this purpose these oil typologies were assessed by clustering the collected olive oil data according to different sensory profiles. Descriptive analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of sensory characters were performed. Monovarietal oils were clustered in six different sen‐ sory typologies emphasising the variability and the depth of aromas characterising Italian Monovarietal oils.

Such classification of monovarietal oils typologies may help the consumer in making an informed choice, and in matching more easily with the wide range of flavours found in Italian cuisine.

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 1:

Caninese, Carboncella, Carpellese, Cornetta, Dolce Agogia, Dolce di Rossano, Dritta, Gentile di Chieti, Gentile di Larino, Leccino, Limoncella, Nebbio, Ogliarola, Ogliarola del Bradano, Paesana Bianca, Piantone di Mogliano, Raggia, Raggiola, Rajo, Razzola, Rosciola, Salviana, Sargano di Fermo, Taggiasca.

**Figure 17.** Typology 1 Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with prevalent almond scent and light notes of grass/leaf and artichoke; pungent and bitter taste of medium-light intensity.

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 2:

**Parametr Cultivar Crop year Cultivar x crop year**

**Table 4.** Variability expressed as percent of the Total Sum of the Squares for sensory attributes. \*, \*\*, \*\*\* Significant F-

The decision to carry out a study of a large number of labelled commercial extra virgin olive oils was taken in order to provide the consumer with information about the chemical and sensory properties of extra virgin olive oils which are currently available on the Italian mar‐ ket. The commercial potential of the monovarietal oils can be exploited either in terms of purity, relying on the specific characteristics of the single cultivar, or mixing the monovarietal oils

For this purpose these oil typologies were assessed by clustering the collected olive oil data according to different sensory profiles. Descriptive analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of sensory characters were performed. Monovarietal oils were clustered in six different sen‐ sory typologies emphasising the variability and the depth of aromas characterising Italian

Such classification of monovarietal oils typologies may help the consumer in making an informed choice, and in matching more easily with the wide range of flavours found in

Caninese, Carboncella, Carpellese, Cornetta, Dolce Agogia, Dolce di Rossano, Dritta, Gentile di Chieti, Gentile di Larino, Leccino, Limoncella, Nebbio, Ogliarola, Ogliarola del Bradano, Paesana Bianca, Piantone di Mogliano, Raggia, Raggiola, Rajo, Razzola, Rosciola, Salviana,

from each cultivars as a "blend" based on the different typologies of Italian olive oil.

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 1:

values the 0.05 (\*), 0.01 (\*\*) or 0.001 (\*\*\*) level, respectively; ns =not significant.

**4. The Italian olive oil typology**

194 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Monovarietal oils.

Italian cuisine.

Sargano di Fermo, Taggiasca.

Olive fruity 71.77 \*\*\* 5.93 \*\*\* 22.30 ns Grass 75.92 \*\*\* 2.54 ns 21.54 ns Fresh almond 73.59 \*\*\* 9.81 \*\*\* 16.60 ns Artichoke 56.96 \*\* 15.38 \*\*\* 27.66 ns Tomato 90.75 \*\*\* 1.48 \* 7.77 ns Berries 75.71 \*\*\* 0.99 \*\* 23.30 \*\*\* Aromatic herbs 26.86 \*\* 10.17 \* 62.97 ns Bitter 49.02 \*\*\* 17.04 \*\*\* 33.94 \*\*\* Pungent 26.35 \*\*\* 42.63 \*\*\* 31.02 \*\*\*

> Casaliva, Coratina, Correggiolo, Frantoio, Moraiolo, Ogliarola Garganica, Oliva Nera di Col‐ letorto, Olivastra Seggianese, Pendolino, Raggiolo, Razzo, San Felice, Sargano di Ascoli.

**Figure 18.** Typology 2 : Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with prevalent almond scent and light notes of grass/leaf and artichoke; pungent and bitter taste of medium intensity.

**Figure 19.** Typology 3 Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with peculiar soft fruits scent; pungency and bit‐ ter taste of medium intensity.

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 3: Cellina di Nardò, Migno‐ la, Ogliarola Salentina

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 4: Biancolilla, Bosana, Caro‐ lea, Coroncina, I77, Majatica di Ferrandina, Maurino, Orbetana, Peranzana, Prempesa, Sale‐ lla, Semidana, Tonda del Matese.

**Figure 20.** Typology 4 Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with scent of grass, artichoke fresh almond and tomato; pungency and bitter taste of medium light intensity.

**Figure 21.** Typology 5 Sensory profile: medium high olive fruity with grassy notes, tomato and artichoke scent and light flavour of fresh almond; pungency and bitter taste of medium intensity.

**Figure 19.** Typology 3 Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with peculiar soft fruits scent; pungency and bit‐

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 3: Cellina di Nardò, Migno‐

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 4: Biancolilla, Bosana, Caro‐ lea, Coroncina, I77, Majatica di Ferrandina, Maurino, Orbetana, Peranzana, Prempesa, Sale‐

**Figure 20.** Typology 4 Sensory profile: medium olive fruity intensity, with scent of grass, artichoke fresh almond and

ter taste of medium intensity.

la, Ogliarola Salentina

lla, Semidana, Tonda del Matese.

196 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

tomato; pungency and bitter taste of medium light intensity.

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 5. Ascolana Tenera, Cerasuo‐ la, Ghiacciolo, Itrana, Nera di Oliena, Nocellara del Belice, Nocellara Etnea, Nocellara Messi‐ nese, Ortice, Ravece, Tonda Iblea

**Figure 22.** Typology 6 Sensory profile: medium high olive fruity with grass/leaf and artichoke notes, light flavor of fresh almond and tomato, medium intensity of bitter and pungency taste.

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 6: Bianchera, FS17, Intosso, Lantesca, Leccio del Corno, Nostrana di Brisighella, Piantone di Falerone, Picholene

#### **5. Conclusions**

At a national level the varietal biodiversity culture is being promoted ever more heavily, re‐ sulting in increasing diversification of production of extra virgin olive oil which constitutes the necessary basis for creating blends and PDOs which appeal to consumers.

Various Italian regions are conducting research into the promotion of the genetic heritage of the olive cultures, drawing on social and cultural elements of olive culture. For a strong and healthy olive culture, the cultivation process should not only fulfil the demands of intensifi‐ cation and optimization of production, but also balance this with respect for the ancient tra‐ ditions and heritage- traditions and heritage which we see throughout Italy in the form of monumental trees, archaeological exhibits, ancient tools and gastronomic traditions which have extra virgin olive oil at their very heart.

Development of olive production with care being taken to respect biodiversity and cultural traditions- and, as a consequence, the different autochthonous genotypes- is key to ensuring sustainable and environmentally friendly olive production processes.

The will to proceed with recovery and exploitation of Italian germplasm, encourages the de‐ velopment of marginal areas, but also allows for the protection of biodiversity and ecologi‐ cal systems in specific areas where the olive tree plays an important role for buoyancy and hydro-geological protection for the characterization of the landscape.

The exploitation of monovarietal oil results in the propagation of many native Italian variet‐ ies involving research institutes, University and nurseries called upon to halt the erosion of genetic heritage of Italian olive.

The unique Italian monovarietal heritage plays a key role in the "diversification" culture that should guide Italian production in order to avoid the standardization of products recently observed in the GDO market. The promotion of the "diversification" culture has to be reached both by increasing the cultivated land – and also discouraging the substitution of pre-existing cultivar or the implantation of new "universal" ones with the sole aim of greater production - and by the reinforcement of the elements that characterize GDO territoriality: organoleptic and sensorial diversification.

The quality oil market is expanding and Italy is still the reference point at an international level. The operators of the production chain and national institutions have the task of devel‐ oping appropriate strategies to strengthen the position of production, sales and marketing.

As has happened in the case of wine, the varieties typical to these regions may become a symbol of high quality product and find a better place in the market.

This approach can be a first step toward traceability and authenticity of these particular pro‐ ductions in order to protect the interest of both consumer and producer.

The authors are aware of the numerous variables: mill typology, olive ripening index and agronomic practice, which influence the overall olive oil quality. These variables are not usually known for commercial oils.

Knowledge of the chemical and sensory profiles of the Italian monovarietal olive oils could potentially start a certification process for these oils, thus leading to greater guarantees of origin and consequently greater guarantees of quality for the consumer.

#### **Author details**

These monovarietal oils were classified as belonging to typology 6: Bianchera, FS17, Intosso,

At a national level the varietal biodiversity culture is being promoted ever more heavily, re‐ sulting in increasing diversification of production of extra virgin olive oil which constitutes

Various Italian regions are conducting research into the promotion of the genetic heritage of the olive cultures, drawing on social and cultural elements of olive culture. For a strong and healthy olive culture, the cultivation process should not only fulfil the demands of intensifi‐ cation and optimization of production, but also balance this with respect for the ancient tra‐ ditions and heritage- traditions and heritage which we see throughout Italy in the form of monumental trees, archaeological exhibits, ancient tools and gastronomic traditions which

Development of olive production with care being taken to respect biodiversity and cultural traditions- and, as a consequence, the different autochthonous genotypes- is key to ensuring

The will to proceed with recovery and exploitation of Italian germplasm, encourages the de‐ velopment of marginal areas, but also allows for the protection of biodiversity and ecologi‐ cal systems in specific areas where the olive tree plays an important role for buoyancy and

The exploitation of monovarietal oil results in the propagation of many native Italian variet‐ ies involving research institutes, University and nurseries called upon to halt the erosion of

The unique Italian monovarietal heritage plays a key role in the "diversification" culture that should guide Italian production in order to avoid the standardization of products recently observed in the GDO market. The promotion of the "diversification" culture has to be reached both by increasing the cultivated land – and also discouraging the substitution of pre-existing cultivar or the implantation of new "universal" ones with the sole aim of greater production - and by the reinforcement of the elements that characterize GDO territoriality:

The quality oil market is expanding and Italy is still the reference point at an international level. The operators of the production chain and national institutions have the task of devel‐ oping appropriate strategies to strengthen the position of production, sales and marketing. As has happened in the case of wine, the varieties typical to these regions may become a

This approach can be a first step toward traceability and authenticity of these particular pro‐

Lantesca, Leccio del Corno, Nostrana di Brisighella, Piantone di Falerone, Picholene

the necessary basis for creating blends and PDOs which appeal to consumers.

sustainable and environmentally friendly olive production processes.

hydro-geological protection for the characterization of the landscape.

symbol of high quality product and find a better place in the market.

ductions in order to protect the interest of both consumer and producer.

**5. Conclusions**

198 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

have extra virgin olive oil at their very heart.

genetic heritage of Italian olive.

organoleptic and sensorial diversification.

Annalisa Rotondi1\*, Massimiliano Magli1 , Lucia Morrone1 , Barbara Alfei2 and Giorgio Pannelli3


#### **References**


### **Challenges for Genetic Identification of Olive Oil**

Sattar Tahmasebi Enferadi and Zohreh Rabiei

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/53546

#### **1. Introduction**

[7] Cerretani, L., Bendini, A., Rotondi, A., Lercker, G.., & Gallina, Toschi. T. (2005). Ana‐ lytical comparison of monovarietal virgin olive oils obtained by both a continuous industrial plant and a low-scale mill. *European Journal Lipid Science Technology*, 107,

[8] Lazzez, A., Perri, E., Caravita, M. A., Khlif, M., & Cossentini, M. (2008). Influence of olive maturity stage and geographical origin on some minor components in virgin olive oil of the Chemlali variety. *Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry*, 56,

[9] Angerosa, F., Mostallino, R., Basti, C., & Vito, R. (2001). Influence of malaxation tem‐ perature and time on the quality of virgin olive oils. *Food Chemistry*, 72(1), 19-28.

[10] Rotondi, A., Alfei, B., & Magli, M. (2011). Pannelli Influence of genetic matrix and of crop year on chemical and sensory profiles of Italian monovarietal olive oils. *Journal*

[11] European Commission regulation No. 702/2007. (2007). *Official Journal of European*

[12] Angerosa, F. (2002). Influence of volatile compounds on virgin olive oil quality eval‐ uate by analytical approaches and sensory panels. *European Journal Lipid Science Tech‐*

[13] Aparicio, R., Morales, M. T., & Alonso, V. (1997). Authentication of European virgin olive oils by their chemical compounds, sensory attributes and consumer attitudes.

*Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry*, 45, 1076-1083.

93-100.

200 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

982-988.

*of Science Food Agriculture*, 90, 2641-2648.

*Community*, L 161, June 21th, 11-27.

*nology*, 104, 639-660.

Olive oil is the oil extracted exclusively from fruit of *Olea europaea* L. only by means of me‐ chanical methods or other physical procedures that do not cause any alteration of the glycer‐ ic structure of the oil thus preserving its characteristics and properties. The healthy properties of olive oil are well known in the Mediterranean diet, in which virgin olive oil is the main source of fat [1].

In comparison to commonly used vegetable oils, the cost of olive oil is higher. As such, olive oil comes up against adulteration with other cheaper oils as well as the use of unapproved production methods [2]. Blending premium olive oil with low quality oils (mostly pomace) or with other plant oils such as hazelnut (*Corylus avellana*), soya (*Glycine max*), almond (*Pru‐ nus dulcis*), maize (*Zea mays*), sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) and sesame (*Sesamum indicum*) has a great negative effect on olive oil trade [3]. This defines an urgent action in confirming olive oil authenticity

In the recent years, the European Union (EU) has introduced sever regulations about virgin olive oil origin confirmation with the aim of governing its label and protecting its producers and consumers from fraudulent activities [3]. Besides, the concept of certified brands such as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) has been recently introduced to provide more tools to protect olive oil within both EU and non EU countries. Although aforementioned tools confirms oil origin (geographical cultivation origin or place of processing), it is still to decide if olive oil PDOs and PGIs are safeguarded from fraudulent labeling [4].

The authenticity of olive oil, and particularly that of a virgin olive oil, is conventionally as‐ sessed by monitoring of several components such as sterols, phenols, fatty acids, triacylgly‐ cerols, volatile compounds and tocopherols. However, the analytical analyses have their limits and chemical composition of virgin olive oil is influenced by genetic (variety) and en‐

© 2013 Enferadi and Rabiei; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Enferadi and Rabiei; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

vironmental factors (climatological and edaphologic conditions). As the composition of ex‐ tra virgin olive oil is the result of a complex interaction among olive variety, environmental conditions, fruit ripening and oil extraction technology, two main approaches, botanical and geographical origin identification, are focused to trace olive oil. However, in both cases, the selection of appropriate markers is sophisticated and needs more attention [5]. This has pro‐ moted a growing interest towards the application of DNA-based markers since they are in‐ dependent from environmental conditions. The evaluation of DNA nucleotide sequences can provide more precise information, which can be obtained through traditional morpho‐ logical markers or chemical composition analysis. Thus, specific protocols for DNA isolation from olive oil have been developed [6-9]. However, the application of DNA-based methods requests the knowledge on nucleotide sequences of olive. This information for olive is back to 1994, when the first sequence of *Olea europaea* L. has deposited in NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) [10].

On the other hand, the advent of molecular markers offers a powerful tool to uncover synonymy and parentages between olive cultivars, and reveals a large admixture amongst varieties of different geographic origin of olive that consequently improves PDO olive oil recognition [11]. Individual fingerprinting based on molecular markers has become a popular tool for studies of population genetics and analysis of genetic diversi‐ ty in germplasm collections, including the solution of synonymy/homonymy and analy‐ sis of paternity and kinship.

In this chapter, researches for genetic identification of olive oil in introducing unequivocal identifiers for authentication and traceability of olive oil will emphasis as a crucial concept to be overcome for international olive oil trade.

#### **2. An overview on olive oil**

Olive tree (*Olea europaea* L.) represents the most important oil producing crop in the Medi‐ terranean basin. Olive tree is a diploid species (2n = 46) that is able to survive for a long time [12-13], is outcrossing and sometimes self-incompatible which implies that seeds are pro‐ duced by cross-pollination [13-15].

This species belongs to monophyletic *oleaceae* family. *Oleaceae* comprises about 600 species and 24 genera [16, 17]. Within this family, *Olea* and ten other (extant) genera constitute the subtribe *Oleinae* within the tribe *Oleeae* [16]. Thirty-three species and nine subspecies of ever‐ green shrubs and trees have been circumscribed in *Olea* based on morphological characters [18]. In addition, these taxa are classified in three subgenera, *Olea*, *Paniculatae* and *Tetrapilus*, the first of which has two sections (*Olea* and *Ligustroides*). Section *Olea* is formed exclusively by the olive complex (*Olea europaea*), in which six subspecies are recognized [18, 19]. This subgenus is distributed from South Africa to China, across the Saharan mountains, Macaro‐ nesia and the Mediterranean basin. The cultivated one is *Olea europaea* subsp. *europaea* var. *europaea*. that found outside of its native range as a result of human-mediated dispersal; it has been repeatedly introduced in the New World and has become naturalized and has in‐ vaded numerous areas in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands [18, 20].

Olive is the second most important oil fruit crop cultivated worldwide after oil palm. Its cul‐ tivation covers over eight million hectares of land, predominantly concentrated in the Medi‐ terranean basin, where 70% of the olive oil produced is consumed [21]. The olive tree is a glycophytic species that shows a high tolerance to drought and salt stresses, if compared with other fruit trees that are generally salt sensitive [22]. Olive oil is produced solely from the fruit of the olive tree (*Olea europaea* L.) and differs from most of the other vegetable oils in the method of extraction, allowing it to be consumed in crude form, hence conserving its vitamins and other natural healthy high-value compounds [13].

The olive oil is known for its beneficial effects on health, such as ability to reduce blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, as well as for its cancer prevention, antimicrobial and antioxidant virtues [23, 24]. The international olive council Resolution no. res-3/89-iv/03 [25, 26] catagorised virgin olive oil as: (i) "Extra virgin olive oil": virgin olive oil that has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 0.8 g per 100 g; (ii) "Vir‐ gin olive oil": virgin olive oil that has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 2 g per 100 g; (iii) "Ordinary virgin olive oil": virgin olive oil that has a free acidity, ex‐ pressed as oleic acid, of not more than 3.3 g per 100 g.

The increase in the demand for high-quality olive oils has led to the appearance in the mar‐ ket of olive oils, elaborated olive oil with specific characteristics. They include oils of certain regions possessing well-known characteristics, that is, olive oils with a denomination of ori‐ gin, or with specific olive variety composition. Olive oils obtained from one genetic variety of olive or from several different varieties are called monovarietal or coupage, respectively. Monovarietal olive oils have certain specific characteristics related to the olive variety from which they are elaborated [5]. However, coupage olive oils are obtained from several olive varieties to achieve a special flavor or aroma [13].

#### **3. Olive oil adulteration**

vironmental factors (climatological and edaphologic conditions). As the composition of ex‐ tra virgin olive oil is the result of a complex interaction among olive variety, environmental conditions, fruit ripening and oil extraction technology, two main approaches, botanical and geographical origin identification, are focused to trace olive oil. However, in both cases, the selection of appropriate markers is sophisticated and needs more attention [5]. This has pro‐ moted a growing interest towards the application of DNA-based markers since they are in‐ dependent from environmental conditions. The evaluation of DNA nucleotide sequences can provide more precise information, which can be obtained through traditional morpho‐ logical markers or chemical composition analysis. Thus, specific protocols for DNA isolation from olive oil have been developed [6-9]. However, the application of DNA-based methods requests the knowledge on nucleotide sequences of olive. This information for olive is back to 1994, when the first sequence of *Olea europaea* L. has deposited in NCBI (National Center

On the other hand, the advent of molecular markers offers a powerful tool to uncover synonymy and parentages between olive cultivars, and reveals a large admixture amongst varieties of different geographic origin of olive that consequently improves PDO olive oil recognition [11]. Individual fingerprinting based on molecular markers has become a popular tool for studies of population genetics and analysis of genetic diversi‐ ty in germplasm collections, including the solution of synonymy/homonymy and analy‐

In this chapter, researches for genetic identification of olive oil in introducing unequivocal identifiers for authentication and traceability of olive oil will emphasis as a crucial concept

Olive tree (*Olea europaea* L.) represents the most important oil producing crop in the Medi‐ terranean basin. Olive tree is a diploid species (2n = 46) that is able to survive for a long time [12-13], is outcrossing and sometimes self-incompatible which implies that seeds are pro‐

This species belongs to monophyletic *oleaceae* family. *Oleaceae* comprises about 600 species and 24 genera [16, 17]. Within this family, *Olea* and ten other (extant) genera constitute the subtribe *Oleinae* within the tribe *Oleeae* [16]. Thirty-three species and nine subspecies of ever‐ green shrubs and trees have been circumscribed in *Olea* based on morphological characters [18]. In addition, these taxa are classified in three subgenera, *Olea*, *Paniculatae* and *Tetrapilus*, the first of which has two sections (*Olea* and *Ligustroides*). Section *Olea* is formed exclusively by the olive complex (*Olea europaea*), in which six subspecies are recognized [18, 19]. This subgenus is distributed from South Africa to China, across the Saharan mountains, Macaro‐ nesia and the Mediterranean basin. The cultivated one is *Olea europaea* subsp. *europaea* var. *europaea*. that found outside of its native range as a result of human-mediated dispersal; it

for Biotechnology Information) [10].

202 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

sis of paternity and kinship.

**2. An overview on olive oil**

duced by cross-pollination [13-15].

to be overcome for international olive oil trade.

Olive oil is one of the most valuable single products of the agro-food industry. It is made from diverse cultivars either mixed or single. Those ensure different tastes and typicity, and these may be also enhanced by the region of production of cultivars [8].

Recently PDO and PGI olive oils appeared that requiring precise definition of several pa‐ rameters such as cultivar, geographical origin, agronomic practice, production technology, and organoleptic qualities. The quality of these monovarietal oils is associated with superior taste, consistency and colour and is directly related to the olive cultivar. Therefore, the au‐ thenticity efforts concentrated on the identification of their varietal origin as well as their adulteration with lower grade, processed olive oils [27].

That is why a well-documented traceability system has become a requirement for quality control in the olive oil chain.

DNA, being not environmentally labile, considered a great potential to be used as a means of identifying the varieties of the trees purporting to be the source of a given sample of olive oil [3].

Genetic traceability implies the control of the entire chain of food production and marketing, allowing the food to be traced through every step of its production back to its origin. The verification of olive oil traceability is necessary for the prevention of deliberate or accidental mixing or mislabeling, which is very important in the international trade.

#### **4. Conventional identification tools of olive oil: Chemical analysis**

As the quality of an olive oil depends on the olive variety from which it is elaborated, the production of olive oils from certain varieties with appreciated quality has increased [28]. The olive variety selection is mainly based on its adaptation to different climatic conditions and soils.

Several analytical determination has improved during years, because of improving both of knowledge on olive oil composition and of analytical techniques and instrumentation. Un‐ fortunately, adulterations, too, improved and became more sophisticated; for example, it is recognized that by careful blending high oleic oils (such as sunflower oil) the obtained prod‐ uct well fits the fatty acid composition of olive oil. However, they usually have a "wrong" sterol composition and those who perform frauds were able to eliminate sterols, because of this act, the absolute amount of sterols was enclosed in the standard as well as the measure‐ ment of sterol dehydration products (such as stigmastadienes).

To relate the fatty acid composition of olive oils with the cultivar, Mannina *et al.,* (2003) studied olive oil in a well-limited geographical region, with no consideration of the pedocli‐ matic factor (soil characteristics such as temperature and humidity) [29]. A relationship be‐ tween the fatty acid composition and some specific cultivars has been observed [5].

The volatile fraction in olive oils, which represents one of the most important qualitative as‐ pects of this oil, consists of a complex mixture of more than 100 compounds, but the most important substances useful for olive cultivar differentiation are the products of the lipoxy‐ genase pathway (LOX). Only a subset of volatile compounds and a combination among them could provide valuable information for olive cultivar differentiation [5].

In fact, genetic and geographic factors influence the volatile compound production of the olive fruits and affect the differentiation of olive oils according to their olive variety [30, 31]. The volatile compound contents allowed differentiation among monovarietal olive oils and even identification of the technique used for olive oil production [32].

The colour of a virgin olive oil is due to the solubilization of the lipophilic chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments present in the fruit. The green-yellowish colour is due to various pig‐ ments, that is, chlorophylls, pheophytins, and carotenoids [33]. Several researchers reported the same qualitative composition in chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, independent of the olive variety and the time of picking [34, 35]. Cerretani *et al.,* (2006) showed that the caro‐ tenoid and chlorophyll content determination using Uv-vis spectrophotometry was not use‐ ful to discriminate oils produced from different olive varieties [36]. Lutein/β-carotene ratio has been reported as a tool to differentiate oils from a single cultivar [5].

Tocopherols and hydrocarbons are the compositional markers less studied to date to differ‐ entiate olive oils. An important common aspect is that the content and composition of these markers are highly affected by the environmental conditions, the fruit ripening, and the ex‐ traction technology [5].

### **5. Need for cultivar identification, search for new approaches: Molecular markers (DNA) vs. biochemical descriptors**

Olive oils labeled with their region of origin are sold at a premium price. This premium is greatest for oil from those regions associated with superior taste, consistency or colour. For cold-pressed oils (extra virgin and virgin), these properties are associated with the cultivar and the environment.

A lot of research has been carried out to assure the authenticity of olive oil through chemical analysis [37-40]. However, several difficulties have been encountered in distinguishing olives and olive-oils from different cultivars because their characteristics are strongly influ‐ enced by environmental conditions. On the other side, accurate and rapid identification of cultivars is especially important to obtain a reliable label of origin.

In such a case, some DNA-based technologies can help in revealing either the authenticity or the different origin of lots that have contributed to the olive oil. This action discourage from the adulteration with extraneous material of lower cost and value.

#### **6. Olive oil genetic traceability**

DNA, being not environmentally labile, considered a great potential to be used as a means of identifying the varieties of the trees purporting to be the source of a given

Genetic traceability implies the control of the entire chain of food production and marketing, allowing the food to be traced through every step of its production back to its origin. The verification of olive oil traceability is necessary for the prevention of deliberate or accidental

As the quality of an olive oil depends on the olive variety from which it is elaborated, the production of olive oils from certain varieties with appreciated quality has increased [28]. The olive variety selection is mainly based on its adaptation to different climatic conditions

Several analytical determination has improved during years, because of improving both of knowledge on olive oil composition and of analytical techniques and instrumentation. Un‐ fortunately, adulterations, too, improved and became more sophisticated; for example, it is recognized that by careful blending high oleic oils (such as sunflower oil) the obtained prod‐ uct well fits the fatty acid composition of olive oil. However, they usually have a "wrong" sterol composition and those who perform frauds were able to eliminate sterols, because of this act, the absolute amount of sterols was enclosed in the standard as well as the measure‐

To relate the fatty acid composition of olive oils with the cultivar, Mannina *et al.,* (2003) studied olive oil in a well-limited geographical region, with no consideration of the pedocli‐ matic factor (soil characteristics such as temperature and humidity) [29]. A relationship be‐

The volatile fraction in olive oils, which represents one of the most important qualitative as‐ pects of this oil, consists of a complex mixture of more than 100 compounds, but the most important substances useful for olive cultivar differentiation are the products of the lipoxy‐ genase pathway (LOX). Only a subset of volatile compounds and a combination among

In fact, genetic and geographic factors influence the volatile compound production of the olive fruits and affect the differentiation of olive oils according to their olive variety [30, 31]. The volatile compound contents allowed differentiation among monovarietal olive oils and

The colour of a virgin olive oil is due to the solubilization of the lipophilic chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments present in the fruit. The green-yellowish colour is due to various pig‐ ments, that is, chlorophylls, pheophytins, and carotenoids [33]. Several researchers reported the same qualitative composition in chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, independent of

tween the fatty acid composition and some specific cultivars has been observed [5].

them could provide valuable information for olive cultivar differentiation [5].

even identification of the technique used for olive oil production [32].

mixing or mislabeling, which is very important in the international trade.

ment of sterol dehydration products (such as stigmastadienes).

**4. Conventional identification tools of olive oil: Chemical analysis**

sample of olive oil [3].

204 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

and soils.

The genomic analysis of olive oil involves two main obstacles; extraction of DNA from an oily matrix and selection of appropriate molecular markers that can provide a trustable re‐ sult. Overcoming these two important limits make possible the assessment of genetic tracea‐ bility of olive oil.

DNA analysis offers an alternative approach, relative to other macromolecules and metabo‐ lites, due to it is less influenced by environmental and processing conditions, enables ge‐ nome fingerprinting with consequent identification of variety/type composition.

Significant amounts of DNA are present in olive oil obtained by cold pressing [6]. However, the filtration process lowers DNA concentration, which tends to disappear due to nuclease degradation [7, 41]. Application of molecular markers to trace foods brought new benefit to consumers.

Several works described the application of molecular markers to genetic recognition of the cultivar composition of monovarietal olive oils. However, these works describe the applica‐ tion of multilocus markers, such as RAPDs or AFLPs [9, 41] or microsatellites [8, 42].

#### **6.1. Achievements in olive oil genetic traceability between 2000 – 2006**

During the years between 2000 -2006, many important events regarding genetic traceability of olive oil have been recorded. The most outstanding achievement was defining a protocol for DNA extraction from olive oil [8-9, 41]. The other success in this context refers to the deposition of several sequences of olive genome on NCBI database, including 458 nucleoti‐ des and 24 ESTs (Expressed Sequence Tags). These sequences facilitated the access to more DNA markers. For example, Cipriani *et al.,* (2002) isolated and sequenced 52 microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from nearly 60 positive clones obtained from two 'Fran‐ toio' olive genomic libraries enriched in (AC/GT) and (AG/CT) repeats, respectively [43]. Furthermore, many authors have reported on SSR development in olive and several of them are currently available for DNA analysis [43-46].

These approaches offered new opportunities for researchers to perform such an analysis in‐ volving olive cultivar identification and olive oil authentication.

#### *6.1.1. A big obstacle: DNA Extraction*

The greatest challenges one faces while using DNA technology is the low quality and highly degraded DNA recovered from the fatty matrices and the impact of oil extraction processing on the size of the recovered DNA. DNA of low, difficult to determine content and of un‐ known, variable quality would potentially lead to inconsistent and consequently inconclu‐ sive results. Although, the concentration of DNA did not appear to be limiting; rather, successful PCR amplification likely depended on the ability of the DNA extraction method to free DNA from inhibitors of PCR present in the olive oil.

In olive oil, once the barrier of DNA extraction has been overcome, several markers could be used to identify olive cultivars that made up a certain olive oil [6].

Muzzalupo *& Perri* (2002) tested some enzymatic mixtures to prevent DNA damage that oc‐ curs during crushing and malaxation [41]. They emphasized positive effect of proteinase-K treatment during the malaxation process to provide DNA amenable to random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR amplification.

However, Busconi *et al.,* (2003) defined a reliable DNA extraction method via CTAB method from 50-100 mL lab-made monovarietal oil and commercial extra virgin olive oil [9]. The suggested method concerned both quantity and quality of DNA.

Breton *et al.,* (2004) have used several supports to retain DNA checking different techniques (silica extraction, hydroxyapatite, magnetic beads, and spun column) [8]. The method using magnetic beads has been introduced as the most efficient method and they claimed that the running protocol is usable in routine labs to control virgin or crude oil samples and may be used for refined oil, as well.

DNA has been extracted from cell residues recovered by oil centrifugation as reported by Pasqualone *et al.,* (2004) [42]. Doing successful DNA extraction and SSR analysis, the electro‐ phoretic patterns showed an adequate level of amplification and were identical to those ob‐ tained from leaves and drupes of the same cultivar [42].

Pafundo *et al.,* (2005) reported optimization of AFLPs for the characterization of olive oil DNA, to obtain highly reproducible, and high quality fingerprints [47]. Her group found that correspondence of fingerprinting by comparing results in oils and in plants was close to 70% and that the DNA extraction from olive oil was the limiting step for the reliability of AFLP profiles, due to the complex matrix analyzed [47].

#### *6.1.2. Molecular markers selection and PCR analysis*

Several works described the application of molecular markers to genetic recognition of the cultivar composition of monovarietal olive oils. However, these works describe the applica‐

During the years between 2000 -2006, many important events regarding genetic traceability of olive oil have been recorded. The most outstanding achievement was defining a protocol for DNA extraction from olive oil [8-9, 41]. The other success in this context refers to the deposition of several sequences of olive genome on NCBI database, including 458 nucleoti‐ des and 24 ESTs (Expressed Sequence Tags). These sequences facilitated the access to more DNA markers. For example, Cipriani *et al.,* (2002) isolated and sequenced 52 microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from nearly 60 positive clones obtained from two 'Fran‐ toio' olive genomic libraries enriched in (AC/GT) and (AG/CT) repeats, respectively [43]. Furthermore, many authors have reported on SSR development in olive and several of them

These approaches offered new opportunities for researchers to perform such an analysis in‐

The greatest challenges one faces while using DNA technology is the low quality and highly degraded DNA recovered from the fatty matrices and the impact of oil extraction processing on the size of the recovered DNA. DNA of low, difficult to determine content and of un‐ known, variable quality would potentially lead to inconsistent and consequently inconclu‐ sive results. Although, the concentration of DNA did not appear to be limiting; rather, successful PCR amplification likely depended on the ability of the DNA extraction method

In olive oil, once the barrier of DNA extraction has been overcome, several markers could be

Muzzalupo *& Perri* (2002) tested some enzymatic mixtures to prevent DNA damage that oc‐ curs during crushing and malaxation [41]. They emphasized positive effect of proteinase-K treatment during the malaxation process to provide DNA amenable to random amplified

However, Busconi *et al.,* (2003) defined a reliable DNA extraction method via CTAB method from 50-100 mL lab-made monovarietal oil and commercial extra virgin olive oil [9]. The

Breton *et al.,* (2004) have used several supports to retain DNA checking different techniques (silica extraction, hydroxyapatite, magnetic beads, and spun column) [8]. The method using magnetic beads has been introduced as the most efficient method and they claimed that the running protocol is usable in routine labs to control virgin or crude oil samples and may be

tion of multilocus markers, such as RAPDs or AFLPs [9, 41] or microsatellites [8, 42].

**6.1. Achievements in olive oil genetic traceability between 2000 – 2006**

are currently available for DNA analysis [43-46].

*6.1.1. A big obstacle: DNA Extraction*

206 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

volving olive cultivar identification and olive oil authentication.

to free DNA from inhibitors of PCR present in the olive oil.

polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR amplification.

used for refined oil, as well.

used to identify olive cultivars that made up a certain olive oil [6].

suggested method concerned both quantity and quality of DNA.

AFLP, RAPD, SCAR and SSR have been employed as genetic marker for various cultivar / genotype identification. Muzzalupo & Perri (2002) reached the first unambiguous and repro‐ ducible RAPD-PCR amplification of DNA recovered from virgin olive oil [41]. The presence of additional alleles in RAPD profiles deriving from monovarietal oil, missing in the leaves of original varieties were interpreted as signature of pollen DNA, but no data were provid‐ ed as support of this hypothesis [41].

However, Busconi *et al.,* (2003) showed the correspondence between profiles of the DNA pu‐ rified from monovarietal oil with that from the leaves of the same cultivar [9]. Although Pa‐ fundo *et al.,* (2005) found the aforementioned correspondence close to 70% [47]. Based on their findings, DNA extraction from olive oil was the limiting step for the reliability of AFLP profiles. Their results also suggest that increasing the DNA amount above 200 ng does not improve significantly the quality of AFLPs. However, below this concentration of DNA, the quality of AFLP profiles was reduced.

Breton *et al.,* (2004) and Pasqualone *et al.,* (2004) used SSR to identify olive cultivars contrib‐ uted in commercial olive oil samples and virgin olive oils [8, 42]. The electrophoretic pat‐ terns showed an adequate level of amplification and were identical to those obtained from leaves and drupes of the same cultivar.

#### **6.2. Improvements in olive oil genetic traceability between 2007 – 2012**

By 2007 the main obstacle in genetic traceability of olive oil, DNA extraction, has been over‐ come successfully; however, there are still some publications which introducing DNA ex‐ traction protocols specified for olive oil. In this period, the main activities were focused on using different molecular approaches; meanwhile the volume of sequences deposited on NCBI has being increased exponentially which enabled the researchers in profiting other molecular markers such as designing new and more effective primer pairs, on different re‐ gions over nuclear regions, such as chloroplast, mitochondrial, and plastomal sequences (NCBI database, including 1405 nucleotides, 7865 ESTs and 26 GSS (Genome Survey Se‐ quences) hints by 18/09/2012). Also, there have been many attempts to establish a better un‐ derstanding of cultivar differentiation, genetic diversity [48] and identification of new polymorphic regions.

#### *6.2.1. A glance on DNA extraction*

Until 2007 a wide range of protocols on DNA extraction from olive oil, either cold press or refined, had been introduced. Then on, the researchers have focused on the application of current molecular tools or searching for new and more appropriate ones. The general idea that has been accepted and reported by several researchers is that olive oil provides very low yields of DNA and has variable degrees of degradation which may limit the applicabili‐ ty of molecular markers [49, 6]. Furthermore, it has been shown that DNA is damaged by oxidation reactions, which may cause DNA lesions and base transitions with production of dangerous adducts [50, 51]. If the DNA is damaged, it could be not properly accessible to the DNA polymerase, which stalls at the sites of damage and the reaction may be interrupt‐ ed; this being able to influence the length and significance of the synthesized amplicons [52].

#### *6.2.2. Molecular markers selection*

Many studies in recent years have employed AFLP, RAPD, ISSR, SSR, LDR/UA, qRT-PCR, SNPs, CE-SSCP, and DNA barcode as genetic tools to produce a reliable platform to identify the cultivars contributing to an olive oil. Pafundo *et al.,* (2007) suggested developing of se‐ quence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers [53] derived from AFLP profile of olive oil can be instrumental to simplify the determination of varietal composition of an oil sample. A procedure to visualize AFLPs of oil in agarose gel was developed to avoid the usual procedure for SCAR isolation from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, expensive, time-consuming, and requiring the use of radioactive isotopes [53]. Finally, Pafundo *et al.,* (2007) mentioned the high correspondence between the profiles obtained with agarose and capillary electrophoresis as an index of the reliability of the used method [53]. In addition, Montemurro *et al.,* (2008) reported a good quality of AFLP profile in oil [49]. It has been pos‐ sible to improve the sensitivity of AFLP with the optimisation of DNA extraction and re‐ striction/ligation condition.

On the other hand, the effect of olive oil storage time on the quality and quantity of DNA as an analyte for molecular traceability has been assessed via AFLP, which was used due to its multilocus nature, which allows a better discrimination of DNA composition [51]. Compari‐ son of AFLPs was made among profiles of leaves and monovarietal olive oil stored at differ‐ ent times. Montemurro *et al.,* (2008) it has been detected that for some cultivars such as Taggiasca cv. although the AFLP profiles of leaf and of the oil DNA extracted after one and three weeks of storage were similar, the same profiles were quite different for DNA extract‐ ed in the one year stored oils [49]. For Carolea, some homologies were found between leaves and oil, whereas for other cultivars such as Leccino and Ogliarola Leccese these homologies were not detectable. Finally, it has been declared that nine months after production; profiles of oil DNA were highly different from the leaf profiles in all examined cultivars [49].

Another study to assess DNA stability in olive oil during storage time proposed the use of lambda DNA as a marker. In this study the progress of DNA fragmentation in olive oil has been monitored throughout a 12-month storage period. *Lambda* DNA was introduced into filtered olive oil samples in three different concentrations as a DNA marker. It has been re‐ vealed that the inhibitory effect of olive DNA extracts was increased partially and gradually with the storage period of the olive oil samples used for the DNA extraction [54].

*6.2.1. A glance on DNA extraction*

208 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

*6.2.2. Molecular markers selection*

striction/ligation condition.

Until 2007 a wide range of protocols on DNA extraction from olive oil, either cold press or refined, had been introduced. Then on, the researchers have focused on the application of current molecular tools or searching for new and more appropriate ones. The general idea that has been accepted and reported by several researchers is that olive oil provides very low yields of DNA and has variable degrees of degradation which may limit the applicabili‐ ty of molecular markers [49, 6]. Furthermore, it has been shown that DNA is damaged by oxidation reactions, which may cause DNA lesions and base transitions with production of dangerous adducts [50, 51]. If the DNA is damaged, it could be not properly accessible to the DNA polymerase, which stalls at the sites of damage and the reaction may be interrupt‐ ed; this being able to influence the length and significance of the synthesized amplicons [52].

Many studies in recent years have employed AFLP, RAPD, ISSR, SSR, LDR/UA, qRT-PCR, SNPs, CE-SSCP, and DNA barcode as genetic tools to produce a reliable platform to identify the cultivars contributing to an olive oil. Pafundo *et al.,* (2007) suggested developing of se‐ quence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers [53] derived from AFLP profile of olive oil can be instrumental to simplify the determination of varietal composition of an oil sample. A procedure to visualize AFLPs of oil in agarose gel was developed to avoid the usual procedure for SCAR isolation from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, expensive, time-consuming, and requiring the use of radioactive isotopes [53]. Finally, Pafundo *et al.,* (2007) mentioned the high correspondence between the profiles obtained with agarose and capillary electrophoresis as an index of the reliability of the used method [53]. In addition, Montemurro *et al.,* (2008) reported a good quality of AFLP profile in oil [49]. It has been pos‐ sible to improve the sensitivity of AFLP with the optimisation of DNA extraction and re‐

On the other hand, the effect of olive oil storage time on the quality and quantity of DNA as an analyte for molecular traceability has been assessed via AFLP, which was used due to its multilocus nature, which allows a better discrimination of DNA composition [51]. Compari‐ son of AFLPs was made among profiles of leaves and monovarietal olive oil stored at differ‐ ent times. Montemurro *et al.,* (2008) it has been detected that for some cultivars such as Taggiasca cv. although the AFLP profiles of leaf and of the oil DNA extracted after one and three weeks of storage were similar, the same profiles were quite different for DNA extract‐ ed in the one year stored oils [49]. For Carolea, some homologies were found between leaves and oil, whereas for other cultivars such as Leccino and Ogliarola Leccese these homologies were not detectable. Finally, it has been declared that nine months after production; profiles

of oil DNA were highly different from the leaf profiles in all examined cultivars [49].

Another study to assess DNA stability in olive oil during storage time proposed the use of lambda DNA as a marker. In this study the progress of DNA fragmentation in olive oil has been monitored throughout a 12-month storage period. *Lambda* DNA was introduced into filtered olive oil samples in three different concentrations as a DNA marker. It has been re‐ Martines-Lopes *et al.,* (2008) evaluated the efficiency of RAPD, ISSR, and SSR molecular markers for olive oil varietal identification and their possible use in certification purposes [55]. Among eleven RAPD primers tested only two produced reproducible bands in all olive oil samples, which demonstrate low efficiency of this tool. However, it has been shown that ISSR marker system in olive oil is more informative than RAPD. Finally, Martinez-Lopes confirmed that SSR amplification was satisfactory only when water phase DNA was used in the reaction. SSR analysis used to compare the profile of DNA isolated from monovarietal oil with that from leaves of the same cultivar [55].

SSRs have a high discrimination power and so far they are the most employed markers. Sev‐ eral authors [25, 42, 56-59] reported a good match between olive oil and leaf profiles but they did not report any data about repeatability of results. In addition the SSR sequence dra‐ matically influences the efficiency of analysis, as well as the kind of oil [58]. The reproduci‐ bility of results was low confirming that the choice of SSR loci and primers is relevant for an efficient analysis. Furthermore, assigning the true size of alleles and resolution of conflicts considers as another obstacle in interpretation of SSR results.

All the authors agree that differences in size and allele drop out in oil may be due to compo‐ nents interfering with PCR reaction, or to the lower quantity and quality of DNA, which makes difficult the selective amplification of DNA for any allele pairs [3].

The appearance of extra alleles detected in oil addresses either the mixing with traces of oth‐ er oils present on the machinery during milling process or the accidental mixing with other cultivars during harvesting, transportation and processing. In addition, DNA from the polli‐ nators present in the genome of the seed embryo, could potentially contain alleles not present in the genome fruit pulp, invalidating the molecular traceability of olive oil [60].

Pasqualone *et al.,* (2007) demonstrated that microsatellites are useful in checking the pres‐ ence of a specific cultivar in PDO oil, thus verifying the identity of the product [61]. Howev‐ er, they obtained only the marker profile of the main cultivar in the oil: no signal was detected for the secondary varieties [62]. Specifically, Pasqualone *et al.,* 2007 confirmed the sufficiency of a single microsatellite, GAPU103A, to distinguish Leucocarpa oil from the oth‐ er samples [61]. An identification key based on the amplification profile of this microsatellite was set up to distinguish the oils from different cultivars [57]. Rotondi *et al.,* (2011) per‐ formed a comparison between genetic results, chemical and sensory properties of monovar‐ ietal olive oils and demonstrated a very good correspondence between the clustering obtained by SSR analysis and the clustering based on selected fatty acids composition [63].

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are molecular markers which require short DNA amplicons for genotyping [27]. In addition, they are the most abundant markers in the genome; they are stably inherited; bi-allelic in most cases and co-dominant [64]. The most significant comparative advantage of SNPs among all molecular markers is the re‐ quirement for short, even shorter than SSRs, approximately 100 nucleotides PCR tem‐ plates as analytical targets. This advantage can be considered highly critical for heavily processed food matrices such as olive oils and other plant oils due to the highly degrad‐ ed nature of DNA present in these matrices. Moreover, although the identification of SNPs was considered an expensive task few years ago, the recent developments on high throughput sequencing technological platforms allows the cost- and time-efficient identi‐ fication of SNPs in every plant species [64].

Consolandi *et al.,* (2008) gave precise and accurate genotype results using ligation detection reaction (LDR)/universal array (UA) on a SNP-containing DNA sequences for the genotyp‐ ing of olive cultivars. In this assay, alleles are distinguished by a ligation detection reaction and, subsequently, detected by hybridization onto a universal array [6].

Bazakos *et al.,* (2012) reported a successful use of SNPs in tracing olive oil and mentioned neither paternal contribution of embryos was detected in olive oil samples nor did addition‐ al peaks in leaf samples [27].

Kumar *et al.,* (2011) proved SNPs variation in noncoding spacer region between psb-trnH and partial coding region of matK of plastid genome. This procedure enabled to discrimi‐ nate the mixing of canola and sunflower oil into olive oil. This plastid based molecular DNA technology proposed to be used for rapid detection of adulteration easily up to 5% in olive oil [65]. The development of this kind of marker requires a high level of genome sequence information: it is therefore not surprising if only a few SNPs have been reported in olive, where only a small amount of sequence data was available before the year 2009.

To overcome the lack in sequence knowledge, Reale *et al.,* (2006) used both a sequence-based and an arbitrary approach to identify eight SNPs in olive [66].

As conventional PCR technique is not optimal for authentication purposes when quantifica‐ tion is needed, qRT-PCR has been introduced as an efficient tool allowing discarding pri‐ mers with low PCR efficiency [67]. Wu *et al.,* (2008) employed a sensitive real-time PCR method using the novel fluorescence stain Evagreen (Evagreen intercalates in a sequence in‐ dependent way in DNA duplexes) established for detection of olive oil, which successfully distinguished olive oil from inferior plant oils [68].

A more recent study using a CE-SSCP (Capillary Electrophoresis-Single Strand Conforma‐ tion Polymorphism) method based on PCR technique was established to trace olive oil au‐ thenticity from adulteration with other vegetable oils [69]. SSCP is based on the dependence of electrophoretic mobility of a single-stranded DNA on its folded conformation, which is dependent on the nucleotide sequence. Even single base change in a sequence is likely to re‐ sult in different conformations, which results in slight difference of molecular mobility [70]. The method developed was very suitable for the determination of modeled and of unknown adulterants [71].

Another novel method for identification of different species of vegetable oils based on sus‐ pension bead array has been reported by Li *et al.,* (2012) [72]. The suspension bead array as a rapid, sensitive, and high-throughput technology has a great potential to identify more spe‐ cies of vegetable oils with increased species of probes [72].

#### **7. Future challenges and prospective**

processed food matrices such as olive oils and other plant oils due to the highly degrad‐ ed nature of DNA present in these matrices. Moreover, although the identification of SNPs was considered an expensive task few years ago, the recent developments on high throughput sequencing technological platforms allows the cost- and time-efficient identi‐

Consolandi *et al.,* (2008) gave precise and accurate genotype results using ligation detection reaction (LDR)/universal array (UA) on a SNP-containing DNA sequences for the genotyp‐ ing of olive cultivars. In this assay, alleles are distinguished by a ligation detection reaction

Bazakos *et al.,* (2012) reported a successful use of SNPs in tracing olive oil and mentioned neither paternal contribution of embryos was detected in olive oil samples nor did addition‐

Kumar *et al.,* (2011) proved SNPs variation in noncoding spacer region between psb-trnH and partial coding region of matK of plastid genome. This procedure enabled to discrimi‐ nate the mixing of canola and sunflower oil into olive oil. This plastid based molecular DNA technology proposed to be used for rapid detection of adulteration easily up to 5% in olive oil [65]. The development of this kind of marker requires a high level of genome sequence information: it is therefore not surprising if only a few SNPs have been reported in olive,

To overcome the lack in sequence knowledge, Reale *et al.,* (2006) used both a sequence-based

As conventional PCR technique is not optimal for authentication purposes when quantifica‐ tion is needed, qRT-PCR has been introduced as an efficient tool allowing discarding pri‐ mers with low PCR efficiency [67]. Wu *et al.,* (2008) employed a sensitive real-time PCR method using the novel fluorescence stain Evagreen (Evagreen intercalates in a sequence in‐ dependent way in DNA duplexes) established for detection of olive oil, which successfully

A more recent study using a CE-SSCP (Capillary Electrophoresis-Single Strand Conforma‐ tion Polymorphism) method based on PCR technique was established to trace olive oil au‐ thenticity from adulteration with other vegetable oils [69]. SSCP is based on the dependence of electrophoretic mobility of a single-stranded DNA on its folded conformation, which is dependent on the nucleotide sequence. Even single base change in a sequence is likely to re‐ sult in different conformations, which results in slight difference of molecular mobility [70]. The method developed was very suitable for the determination of modeled and of unknown

Another novel method for identification of different species of vegetable oils based on sus‐ pension bead array has been reported by Li *et al.,* (2012) [72]. The suspension bead array as a rapid, sensitive, and high-throughput technology has a great potential to identify more spe‐

where only a small amount of sequence data was available before the year 2009.

and an arbitrary approach to identify eight SNPs in olive [66].

distinguished olive oil from inferior plant oils [68].

cies of vegetable oils with increased species of probes [72].

and, subsequently, detected by hybridization onto a universal array [6].

fication of SNPs in every plant species [64].

210 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

al peaks in leaf samples [27].

adulterants [71].

Future research in the concept of olive oil genetic traceability will concern the application of high-throughput platforms including functional genes, non-nuclear genes, transcriptome analysis, and developing more sophisticated SNPs detection.

Understanding the function of genes and other parts of the genome is known as functional genomics that describes the relationship between an organism's genome and its phenotype. This approach provides a more complete picture of how biological function arises from the information encoded in an organism's genome and such information will contribute in intraspecies determination especially with PDO oils.

Chloroplast DNA considers as a most important non-nuclear genes and has been investigat‐ ed for cultivar identification in olive oil [73]. One advantage of chloroplast DNA is the high copy number of chloroplast per cell (about 50), which is especially beneficial for refined oil sample. It is to develop suitable markers on this region and a compositional test able to identify a cultivar in a monovarietal olive oil. The designed markers will be applied in a high-throughput platform to assess and quantify the contribution of a single cultivar in com‐ mercial multivarietal oils.

Olive transcriptome will address the identification of genes differentially expressed during fruit development, with particular attention to those involved in lipid and phenolic metabo‐ lism. The provided information will discuss the case of olive oil PGI.

Improving SNPs detection using high resolution melting (HRM) RT-PCR analysis allows olive cultivar genotyping, results in an informative, easy, and low-cost method able to great‐ ly reduce the operating time is also recommended.

Finally, Zhang *et al.,* (2012) proposed an alternative strategy would be using fast and less ac‐ curate sensor technology, such as electronic nose, as screening method and verifying sus‐ pected samples by DNA method [71].

#### **8. Conclusions**

Appropriate method, DNA-based analysis, has been developed to verify the authenticity of olive oil and detect possible adulteration to protect the consumer against any fraud practi‐ ces. DNA analysis represents an attractive and alternative choice to the more classical ana‐ lytical methods, because DNA, rather than the macromolecules and metabolites, is less influenced by environmental and processing conditions [74].

Although significant progress has been made in the last decade on DNA extraction from olive oil and the choice of molecular markers, still a consensus protocol, by which the mys‐ tery behind olive oil authentication reveals, has not been accepted in trade markets, yet.

At present, DNA extraction from oil is no longer problematical, and the critical point is the choice of markers. Basic criteria to evaluate the suitability of molecular markers at this pur‐ pose are: i) the discrimination power; ii) the correspondence between leaf and oil-DNA pro‐ files; iii) reproducibility and repeatability of results; iv) simplicity of analysis [3].

RAPDs and AFLPs give complex profiles that can be applicable to monovarietal oils but not to mixtures of three to four cultivars, such as those usually adopted in PDO oils [53]. Single‐ locus microsatellites are more effective to this aim, but they are not applicable to high‐ throughput screening such as microarray.

Single locus (SSRs and SNPs) are preferred to multilocus (AFLP, RAPD) markers because they are simpler to perform, more easily interpretable and can be combined in highthroughput platforms.

Since most olive cultivars are auto-incompatible (pollen could not germinate on an ovary from the same tree) the DNA extracted from oil contains alleles of the tree (fruit pulp somat‐ ic tissues) as well as alleles of the seed embryo which may contain exogenous alleles from the pollinator. Thus, Bracci *et al.,* (2011) concluded that care needs to be taken in the inter‐ pretation of DNA profiles obtained from DNA extracted from oil for resolving provenance and authenticity issues [62].

Besides, using capillary electrophoresis permits to differentiate alleles with very small dif‐ ferences in molecular weight and to detect a very low or partially degraded DNA, which is the case of extracted DNA from olive oil [75].

The availability of other approaches such as semi-automated SNP genotyping assay pro‐ posed to verify the origin and authenticity of monovarietal extra virgin olive oils [6].

Finally, generating an "Identity Card" which, can be used for the unequivocal identification of highly prized oil, has been considered as a potential for olive oil DNA fingerprinting [3].

#### **Acknowledgment**

We would like to acknowledge National Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology (NIGEB) and Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture for supporting "the national Project of Iranian Olive Germplasm, …"and this study.

#### **Author details**

Sattar Tahmasebi Enferadi\* and Zohreh Rabiei

\*Address all correspondence to: tahmasebi@nigeb.ac.ir

National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran

#### **References**

pose are: i) the discrimination power; ii) the correspondence between leaf and oil-DNA pro‐

RAPDs and AFLPs give complex profiles that can be applicable to monovarietal oils but not to mixtures of three to four cultivars, such as those usually adopted in PDO oils [53]. Single‐ locus microsatellites are more effective to this aim, but they are not applicable to high‐

Single locus (SSRs and SNPs) are preferred to multilocus (AFLP, RAPD) markers because they are simpler to perform, more easily interpretable and can be combined in high-

Since most olive cultivars are auto-incompatible (pollen could not germinate on an ovary from the same tree) the DNA extracted from oil contains alleles of the tree (fruit pulp somat‐ ic tissues) as well as alleles of the seed embryo which may contain exogenous alleles from the pollinator. Thus, Bracci *et al.,* (2011) concluded that care needs to be taken in the inter‐ pretation of DNA profiles obtained from DNA extracted from oil for resolving provenance

Besides, using capillary electrophoresis permits to differentiate alleles with very small dif‐ ferences in molecular weight and to detect a very low or partially degraded DNA, which is

The availability of other approaches such as semi-automated SNP genotyping assay pro‐

Finally, generating an "Identity Card" which, can be used for the unequivocal identification of highly prized oil, has been considered as a potential for olive oil DNA fingerprinting [3].

We would like to acknowledge National Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology (NIGEB) and Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture for supporting "the national Project of Iranian Olive

and Zohreh Rabiei

National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran

\*Address all correspondence to: tahmasebi@nigeb.ac.ir

posed to verify the origin and authenticity of monovarietal extra virgin olive oils [6].

files; iii) reproducibility and repeatability of results; iv) simplicity of analysis [3].

throughput screening such as microarray.

212 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

the case of extracted DNA from olive oil [75].

throughput platforms.

and authenticity issues [62].

**Acknowledgment**

**Author details**

Germplasm, …"and this study.

Sattar Tahmasebi Enferadi\*


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## **Adaptation of Local Grapevine Germplasm: Exploitation of Natural Defence Mechanisms to Biotic Stresses**

Massimo Muganu and Marco Paolocci

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/51976

#### **1. Introduction**

The history of human civilization is closely intertwined with the development of viticulture, considering the consumption of grapevine fresh fruits and their use for wine-making since Neolithic Age. Evidences are given by the archeobotanical discovers of ancient seeds be‐ longing to *Vitis vinifera* subsp. *sativa* (domestic grape) and *Vitis vinifera* subsp. *sylvestris* (wild grape) and by the discovery of wine jars and primitive stone wine presses, known locally as "pestarole" [1-2]. These evidences suggest that wine production was initially dependent from the collection of wild fruits, and subsequently from the cultivation of plants derived from the domestication of the Eurasian grapevine. Probably grapevine domestication occur‐ red in different areas, from most ancient Anatolian and Caucasian centers to recent west Mediterranean basin and Central-Europe centers. The study of grapevine domestication is complicated by the presence of large para-domestication areas where wild plants were pro‐ tected for fruit utilization [3]. Grapevine domestication was significant for the development of Mediterranean agriculture, based on cereal-olive-grape cultivations, typical of Greek and Roman civilizations. During the Middle-Age grape cultivation was maintained by monks as wine is bound to Christian liturgy. During late Middle-Age a description of grape varieties used for the production of high value wines was drawn [4] and among listed varieties, some are currently cultivated. The diffusion through the Europe of several grape pathogens dur‐ ing XIX century, such as downy and powdery mildew, caused the end of the ancient vitivi‐ niculture, the erosion of grape genetic variability and the increase of chemicals used for plant disease protection.

© 2013 Muganu and Paolocci ; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Muganu and Paolocci licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

During last years climate changes are causing the increase of favorable environmental condi‐ tions for the development of grapevine diseases, with the reduction of suitable areas for tradi‐ tional crops particularly in some Mediterranean regions [5]. At the same time the large use of copper compounds to control grape diseases lead to accumulation of the toxic heavy metal in soil and groundwater [6]. Considering economical losses, the limits to the use of chemicals for plants protection and the wide market requirement of high quality wines able to express terroir char‐ acteristics, the interest of researchers and viticulturist for grape local varieties increased. In many countries with viticultural historical tradition the recovery and description of local varieties are undertaken, due both to vines adaptation to local environment and grape ability to determine typical qualitative characteristics of wines. Even thought the short coevolution period with in‐ vasive pathogens and the use of agamic propagation reduced the probability to have disease re‐ sistant grapevine genotypes, *V. vinifera* local germplasm can includes minor varieties which characteristics are often unknown with respect to genetic profile, viticultural and oenological potential [7-9] and to the degree of resistance to pathogen, that was already observed during XIX century [10-12]. Different responses to biotic stresses were described among grapevine variet‐ ies, particularly concerning the widespread pathogens *Plasmopara viticola, Erysiphe necator* and *Botrytis cinerea,* the causal agents of downy mildew, powdery mildew and of gray mold respec‐ tively [13-19]. It is well-known that grapevine genetic resources for pathogen resistance are main‐ ly found in American and Asian wild *Vitis* species [20-23], but at present breeding programs involving *V. vinifera* and aimed to obtain resistant genotypes, released disease resistant interspe‐ cifics hybrids able to produce wines suitable only for local markets. For these reasons the study of natural defence mechanisms to biotic stresses of *V. vinifera* varieties has a scientific and appli‐ cative interest to improve both the management of grape genetic resources than wine quality.

The aim of the present paper is to review most studied constitutive and inducible defence mechanisms in *V. vinifera*. Among constitutive defences, anatomical and morphological fea‐ tures of leaf, bunch and berry were described. Furthermore induced defence mechanisms, including callose synthesis, stilbenes production and pathogenesis related (PR) proteins in‐ duction were discussed. The analysis of different *V. vinifera* varieties indicate that in many cases grapevine varieties have or activate defence responses to biotic stresses.

#### **2. Plant defence mechanisms**

The relationships between plant and pathogen start with the initial contact phase between infective propagules and the plant tissue surfaces. As response plants are able to activate de‐ fence mechanisms that may be referred to constitutive or inducible defences.

#### **2.1. Constitutive defences**

Constitutive defences are active in the plant before pathogen challenge. They are considered able to limit the entry phase of parasite in host tissues through direct penetration or pre-ex‐ isting tissues opening and to contrast the infection during the first phases. Constitutive de‐ fences are generally referred to morpho-anatomical characteristics of leaf, bunch and berry, developed independently from fungal attack [13] or include constitutive compounds that can have antimicrobial activity. The synthesis of some antimicrobial constitutive compounds may be also enhanced as plant response to stresses [24-25].

**•** Leaf Hairs

During last years climate changes are causing the increase of favorable environmental condi‐ tions for the development of grapevine diseases, with the reduction of suitable areas for tradi‐ tional crops particularly in some Mediterranean regions [5]. At the same time the large use of copper compounds to control grape diseases lead to accumulation of the toxic heavy metal in soil and groundwater [6]. Considering economical losses, the limits to the use of chemicals for plants protection and the wide market requirement of high quality wines able to express terroir char‐ acteristics, the interest of researchers and viticulturist for grape local varieties increased. In many countries with viticultural historical tradition the recovery and description of local varieties are undertaken, due both to vines adaptation to local environment and grape ability to determine typical qualitative characteristics of wines. Even thought the short coevolution period with in‐ vasive pathogens and the use of agamic propagation reduced the probability to have disease re‐ sistant grapevine genotypes, *V. vinifera* local germplasm can includes minor varieties which characteristics are often unknown with respect to genetic profile, viticultural and oenological potential [7-9] and to the degree of resistance to pathogen, that was already observed during XIX century [10-12]. Different responses to biotic stresses were described among grapevine variet‐ ies, particularly concerning the widespread pathogens *Plasmopara viticola, Erysiphe necator* and *Botrytis cinerea,* the causal agents of downy mildew, powdery mildew and of gray mold respec‐ tively [13-19]. It is well-known that grapevine genetic resources for pathogen resistance are main‐ ly found in American and Asian wild *Vitis* species [20-23], but at present breeding programs involving *V. vinifera* and aimed to obtain resistant genotypes, released disease resistant interspe‐ cifics hybrids able to produce wines suitable only for local markets. For these reasons the study of natural defence mechanisms to biotic stresses of *V. vinifera* varieties has a scientific and appli‐ cative interest to improve both the management of grape genetic resources than wine quality.

The aim of the present paper is to review most studied constitutive and inducible defence mechanisms in *V. vinifera*. Among constitutive defences, anatomical and morphological fea‐ tures of leaf, bunch and berry were described. Furthermore induced defence mechanisms, including callose synthesis, stilbenes production and pathogenesis related (PR) proteins in‐ duction were discussed. The analysis of different *V. vinifera* varieties indicate that in many

The relationships between plant and pathogen start with the initial contact phase between infective propagules and the plant tissue surfaces. As response plants are able to activate de‐

Constitutive defences are active in the plant before pathogen challenge. They are considered able to limit the entry phase of parasite in host tissues through direct penetration or pre-ex‐ isting tissues opening and to contrast the infection during the first phases. Constitutive de‐ fences are generally referred to morpho-anatomical characteristics of leaf, bunch and berry,

cases grapevine varieties have or activate defence responses to biotic stresses.

fence mechanisms that may be referred to constitutive or inducible defences.

**2. Plant defence mechanisms**

222 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**2.1. Constitutive defences**

Grapevine leaf hairs (trichomes and bristles) are morphological characters with ampelograph‐ ic value. The density of leaf prostrate and erect hairs is included in the OIV descriptors list for grape varieties and *Vitis* species [26]. The number and length of leaf hairs differ according to *Vi‐ tis* species and varieties and may be influenced by environmental conditions (Figure 1). The hairs of abaxial leaf surface can constitute a hydrophobic barrier able to reduce the contact area among water droplets and leaf lamina, with the reduction of wettability of epidermal tissues. The presence of very dense leaf hairs leads to a reduction of water retention capacity of the leaf surface [27-28], that are decisive during the infection process [29-31]. The density of abaxial leaf hairs has been related to the different degree of tolerance of *Vitis* species to pathogens [32-33]. In *V. doaniana* and *V. davidii*, downy mildew resistant species, the reduction of leaf wettability prevent zoospores emission from zoosporangia and the pathogen is hampered to reach host tis‐ sues. In these species the use of wetters to reduce water surface tension increases the infection and lead to the regular sporulation of the pathogen. A similar behavior was demonstrated in *V. cinerea* e *V. labrusca*, which downy mildew infections were enhanced by wetter use, but the sub‐ sequently pathogen growth was blocked, supporting the hypothesis of the presence of further defence mechanisms in these two species. In *V. vinifera,* even though any significative correla‐ tion was demonstrated between the hair density of abaxial leaf surface and plant resistance to downy mildew [34-35], furthers investigations might be useful, according to the great variabil‐ ity of the character among varieties and clones.

**•** Stomata

Stomata are plant natural openings bordered by two guard cells, that exert a control over plant water and carbon cycles by variation in both size and number. In grapevine leaf they occupy a small percentage of the surface and are mainly located in the abaxial side. In *V. vinifera* cultivars, stomatal leaf density (number of openings per leaf surface unit) varies ac‐ cording to environmental conditions, including CO2 concentration, light intensity, air tem‐ perature, photoperiod [36] and genotype [37-39] (Figure 2). Stomata are one of the most important way for pathogen entry [40-42]. The penetration of the grapevine obligate biotro‐ phic parasite *P. viticola* occurred exclusively through stomata, while sporulation can rarely occurs also through other tissue openings [43]. During sporulation stomatal density can af‐ fect *P. viticola* secondary infections [43]. The mobility of pathogen zoospores to health sto‐ mata was related to a chemotaxis process that is regulated by chemical compounds as aminoacids, isoflavons, pectins and cell wall fragments, which production might be influ‐ enced by stomata opening [44]. Other hypothesis have been evaluated to explain a function‐ al relationship between stomata and zoospore, including the presence of electrical fields produced by stomata [45-46]. Infected stomata are preferential sites of attraction for zoo‐ spores. This process, known as adelphotaxis, is the cause the accumulation of more than one zoospore on the same stoma [47-48]. Studies carried out on *V. vinifera* varieties showed a no clear relation between leaf stomatal density and susceptibility to downy mildew [35], even though the lower percentage of infected stomata occurred in *V. vinifera* varieties with the lower number of stomata per surface unit (Paolocci and Muganu, unpublished data) (Figure 3). Functional stomata found on the berry surface are possible entries for pathogens [49]. Af‐ ter berry set and under the influence of climate, stomata are quickly covered by wax layers and originates lenticels, that are often surrounded by cuticle tears [50-51]. These morpholog‐ ical transformation was correlated to the acquisition of berry ontogenetic resistance to downy mildew, even though the occurrence of berry infection during this phase remains still possible through berry pedicel [49]. Starting from veraison lenticels and peristomatic tis‐ sues represent the main entry sites for *B. cinerea* infection, but a significative correlation be‐ tween the number of lenticels and the degree of berry susceptibility to gray mold was not demonstrated [52, 13]. *V. vinifera* stomatal opening/closure is influenced also by plant health, considering that in downy mildew infected leaves stomata are open in darkness and during water stress, leading to an increase of transpiration. This functional relationships is not sys‐ temic, being restricted to the infected area, and could be related to non-systemic compounds affecting stomatal activity and produced by pathogen or by the infected plant [53].

**Figure 1.** Scanning electron micrographs of hair density assessed on abaxial leaf surface on the two V. vinifera local varieties Romanesco (above) and Trebbiano giallo (below) (pictures by Muganu and Paolocci)

Adaptation of Local Grapevine Germplasm: Exploitation of Natural Defence Mechanisms to Biotic Stresses http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/51976 225

**Figure 2.** Scanning electron micrographs of stomata density assessed on abaxial leaf surface on the two V. vinifera local varieties Romanesco (above) and Trebbiano giallo (below) (pictures by Muganu and Paolocci)

**•** Cuticular membrane

clear relation between leaf stomatal density and susceptibility to downy mildew [35], even though the lower percentage of infected stomata occurred in *V. vinifera* varieties with the lower number of stomata per surface unit (Paolocci and Muganu, unpublished data) (Figure 3). Functional stomata found on the berry surface are possible entries for pathogens [49]. Af‐ ter berry set and under the influence of climate, stomata are quickly covered by wax layers and originates lenticels, that are often surrounded by cuticle tears [50-51]. These morpholog‐ ical transformation was correlated to the acquisition of berry ontogenetic resistance to downy mildew, even though the occurrence of berry infection during this phase remains still possible through berry pedicel [49]. Starting from veraison lenticels and peristomatic tis‐ sues represent the main entry sites for *B. cinerea* infection, but a significative correlation be‐ tween the number of lenticels and the degree of berry susceptibility to gray mold was not demonstrated [52, 13]. *V. vinifera* stomatal opening/closure is influenced also by plant health, considering that in downy mildew infected leaves stomata are open in darkness and during water stress, leading to an increase of transpiration. This functional relationships is not sys‐ temic, being restricted to the infected area, and could be related to non-systemic compounds

224 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

affecting stomatal activity and produced by pathogen or by the infected plant [53].

**Figure 1.** Scanning electron micrographs of hair density assessed on abaxial leaf surface on the two V. vinifera local

varieties Romanesco (above) and Trebbiano giallo (below) (pictures by Muganu and Paolocci)

The cuticle is a protective membrane of aerial plant tissues able to maintain a stable tissue form, to reduce water loss and to control gas exchanges [54-55, 51]. The cuticle is formed by an insoluble cutin layer and a soluble epicuticular wax layer. Quantitative differences in cu‐ ticle content among varieties have a genetic control even though wax amount and plate-like structure are influenced by environmental factors [13, 56-57]. The cuticle membrane is the first defence barrier that many plant pathogens must overcome to infect plant tissues and its variation in thickness, structure and composition have been analyzed to study its protective role against several grapevine diseases. The thickness of leaf cuticle of different grape variet‐ ies was positively correlated to their susceptibility to *E. necator* [58-59]. Nevertheless the in‐ crease of cuticle thickness during berry growth was not related to the acquisition of ontogenetic resistance to *E. necator* of mature berries [60].

**Figure 3.** Epifluorescence micrographs of leaf stomata infected by P. viticola assessed at 24 hours post inoculation on the two V. vinifera varieties Aleatico (above) and Trebbiano toscano (below) (pictures by Muganu and Paolocci)

The amount of berry epicuticular wax positively affected the level of resistance to *B. cinerea* of different *V. vinifera* varieties as the influence of wax content on berry skin hydrophobicity and reduction of pathogen adhesion [13]. The removal of berry epicuticular wax increases the susceptibility to *B. cinerea*, indicating a role of wax layer on the infection phase [61]. The significant decrease of cutin content per surface unit of berry skin from berry set to veraison influenced the susceptibility to gray mold of three different clones of Pinot noir [62].

Anyway mere dimensional or quantitative variations of the cuticle membrane seem not ex‐ plain the changes of grapevine degree of resistance to pathogen during annual vine cycle [63]. For this reason the presence of morphological and/or chemical differences occurred at cuticle level during berry growth and able to influence the development of infection, must be considered. Several studies analyzed the chemical composition of berry epicuticular wax from berry set to harvest. Variations of lipidic and alchoolic composition of the cuti‐ cle were shown in the transition from bunch closure to veraison phase and the presence of compounds with an inhibitory effect on the germination of *B. cinerea* conidia were detect‐ ed [64-65].

**•** Bunch and berry features

Morphological characteristics of bunch and berry anatomy can affect grape resistance to pathogens. The evaluation of bunch density allows us to distinguish loose bunches, with movable berries, and dense or very dense bunches with not movable and sometimes de‐ formed berries, as consequence of the contact with each other. Tight bunches determine the presence of micro-environmental conditions in the fruit zone, such as the increase of air tem‐ perature, low ventilation and relative humidity, that could promote pathogen growth, as showed for *B. cinerea,* which occurrence could be enhanced [62]. A part the frequency of ber‐ ry skin cracks, that cause the release of free water required in the germination of *B. cinerea* conidia, the increase of physical contact among berries during growth leads to the develop‐ ment of flattened areas on berry contact surfaces and affects the structure of epicuticular wax. The contact surfaces show the larger areas of amorphous and thinner wax and the higher number of gray mold infections compared to non-contact berry skin surfaces [61, 54]. Recent studies about ampelographic characters described a negative correlation between bunch density and berry degree of resistance to *E. necator*, whereas any relation was ob‐ tained among powdery mildew infection and bunch length, width and shape [18].

Some morphological and anatomical characteristics of the berry were related to the suscepti‐ bility to *B. cinerea.* A positive correlation was found among berry resistance to gray mold and berry skin thickness and number of epidermal cell layers [13]. The intravarietal evalua‐ tion of Spanish Albariño variety showed that clones with small berries and short pedicels were low susceptible to gray mold [66].

**•** Constitutive compounds

**Figure 3.** Epifluorescence micrographs of leaf stomata infected by P. viticola assessed at 24 hours post inoculation on the two V. vinifera varieties Aleatico (above) and Trebbiano toscano (below) (pictures by Muganu and Paolocci)

226 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The amount of berry epicuticular wax positively affected the level of resistance to *B. cinerea* of different *V. vinifera* varieties as the influence of wax content on berry skin hydrophobicity and reduction of pathogen adhesion [13]. The removal of berry epicuticular wax increases the susceptibility to *B. cinerea*, indicating a role of wax layer on the infection phase [61]. The significant decrease of cutin content per surface unit of berry skin from berry set to veraison

Anyway mere dimensional or quantitative variations of the cuticle membrane seem not ex‐ plain the changes of grapevine degree of resistance to pathogen during annual vine cycle [63]. For this reason the presence of morphological and/or chemical differences occurred at cuticle level during berry growth and able to influence the development of infection, must be considered. Several studies analyzed the chemical composition of berry epicuticular wax from berry set to harvest. Variations of lipidic and alchoolic composition of the cuti‐ cle were shown in the transition from bunch closure to veraison phase and the presence of

influenced the susceptibility to gray mold of three different clones of Pinot noir [62].

Constitutive compounds with antimicrobial activity are preformed in plant tissues before host-parasite interaction. Many of these compounds may be related to the group of phytoan‐ ticipins according to the following definition "phytoanticipins are low molecular weight an‐ timicrobial compounds that are present in plants before challenge by microorganisms or are produced after infection solely from preexisting constituents" [67]. These metabolites are complementary to phytoalexins, antimicrobial metabolites which synthesis occurs after plant-parasite contact [68]. Preformed phenolic compounds were demonstrated to have anti‐ microbial activity [69-70] such as constitutive pterostilbene that showed antifungal proper‐ ties against *B. cinerea.* Pterostilbene was detected in low concentration in gray mold resistant young berries, but its toxic activity against pathogen was enhanced by the high content of glycolic acid during berry set [71]. Other constitutive phenols, such as cathechin, epicate‐ chin-3-*O*-gallate, caftaric acid and cutaric acid are able to inhibit fungal stilbene oxidase ac‐ tivity between flowering and veraison, and a high content of catechin was detectectd in *B. cinerea* resistant grape varieties after veraison [72]. The non-specific inhibition of *B. cinerea* lytic enzymes was related to the detection of proantocyanidins, polymeric flavonoids which are considered inhibitors of the oxidative fungal enzyme laccase, responsible of pterostil‐ bene detoxification [73]. These results suggest that the resistance of young berries to gray mold depends on both catechins and proantocyanidins contents which contribute in main‐ taining the pathogen in a quiescent state [72, 74]. Considering that the decrease of proanto‐ cyanidins content during berry ripening lead to the increase of gray mold susceptibility, proantocyanidins are considered as markers of grapevine *B. cinerea* resistance [75].

It is well known that light exposure affect the synthesis of phenolic compounds. For this rea‐ son several studies evaluate the relationships between the intensity of tissue sun-light expo‐ sure and grapevine susceptibility to pathogens [76-78]. Shaded *P. viticola* infected leaves, besides showing the lower content of flavonoids compared to full light exposed ones, also displayed the highest disease severity [69]. A similar result was obtained with the artificial inoculation of detached berries with *E. necator:* in this case shaded berries showed the high‐ est susceptibility to the pathogen [79].

Insects use of plants as a source of nutrients causes tissue mechanical damages and, in many cases, compromises plant health as consequence of virus or phytoplasma transmissions. Phytophagous find host plant using mainly olfactory signals produced by the host plant it‐ self. These chemical signals, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are plant secon‐ dary metabolites including alcohols, aldehydes, terpenoids and aromatic phenols, that showed a different role in plant-insect relationships [80]. Each plant species releases specific bouquets, which blend is influenced by plant phenology and health conditions [81]. Grape berries and leaves release hundred of volatiles compounds among which α-farnesene, (E)-βfarnesene and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. These compounds detected in Chardonnay varieties be‐ tween pre-flowering and green berry developmental phases, significantly elicited female attraction of *Lobesia botrana*, the most important insect of *V. vinifera* in Europe [82]. *Lobesia botrana* feeds on all *V. vinifera* cultivars but a different susceptibility to the insect among grape varieties was shown [83].

In the study of Grapevine Yellows the involvement of VOCs in the ecology of *Scaphoideus titanus* Ball (the causal agent of Flavescence Doreé) and of *Hyalesthes obsoletus* Signoret (the causal agent of Bois noir), are under investigation. Observation on preference of *H. obsole‐ tus* for different plant species were made testing different plant extracts among which *V. vinifera* [84].

#### **2.2. Induced defences**

The induced defences are the result of plant reaction to pathogen attack and require the per‐ ception of plant-tissues signals resulting from pathogen infection.

Plants have evolved different active defence strategies aimed at the protection against bi‐ otic stresses. A first strategy is founded on the recognition, by host extra-cellular recep‐ tors, of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) which are microbial products, among which chitin [85-87]. This recognition triggers active plant defence mechanisms (PAMP-Triggered Immunity PTI), including the synthesis of pathogenesis related (PR) pro‐ teins, and the strengthening of plant tissue cell walls [88]. PTI strategy is considered a plant basal immunity against non-host specific pathogens and can be overcame from host specific pathogens, which developed the ability to produce effectors, molecules able to suppress PTI resistance. As consequence plants evolved effector-triggered immunity (ETI) defence mechanism, which enable plant recognition of the PTI-suppressing effectors [86-87]. This strategy, which involves the activation of specific resistance (*R*) genes, lead to a hypersensitive response (HR) which is one of the most efficient mechanism used by plants to arrest biotrophic pathogen infections. HR involves the massive production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), among which hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), that can modulate localized plant cell death (PCD) of infected tissues which prevents pathogen nutrition and growth. It must be considered that H2O2 can act also as diffusible signals for the induction of different plant defence reactions, among which the production of phytoalexins, of PR proteins and of cell wall polymers. HR mechanism was described in the american species *V. rotundifolia*, resistant to *E. necator* and in some of their hybrids with *V. vinifera* [89]. Recently PCD activity was also proved for the two grape varieties Kishm‐ ish vatkana e Dzhandzhal kara, belonging to *V. vinifera* subsp. *sativa* proles *orientalis* sub‐ proles *antasiatica*, native of Uzbekistan [90]. It may be useful to highlight that effectortriggered immunity is dependent on the activation of single, dominant genes and can be overcome by the deletion or mutation of a single effector [86-87, 91].

Besides to tissue-localized defence activities, plant pathogen recognition also induce plant systemic reactions, known as systemic acquired resistance (SAR). SAR enhances defence re‐ sponses against a wide range of biotrophic pathogens in plant organs remotely located from the initial site of infection [92-94]. It has long been thought that salicylic acid (SA) is a key signaling molecule in plant defence resistance against biotrophic pathogens and it is re‐ quired for activation of SAR [95- 96]. Endogenous salicylic acid level was higher in powdery mildew resistant *V. aestivalis* than in susceptible *V. vinifera* varieties, which salicylic acid con‐ tent increased only at 120 hours after infection, being inadequate to limit disease progres‐ sion [97]. Evidence of the involvement of salicylic acid in SAR is showed by the exogenous application of SA that increases the synthesis of stilbenes [98] and of PR proteins [99-100].

As above described the different grapevine defence mechanisms trigger the production of physical barrier or the synthesis of anti-microbial compounds that are involved in grapevine pathogen resistance strategies. Among which:

**•** Callose synthesis

mold depends on both catechins and proantocyanidins contents which contribute in main‐ taining the pathogen in a quiescent state [72, 74]. Considering that the decrease of proanto‐ cyanidins content during berry ripening lead to the increase of gray mold susceptibility,

It is well known that light exposure affect the synthesis of phenolic compounds. For this rea‐ son several studies evaluate the relationships between the intensity of tissue sun-light expo‐ sure and grapevine susceptibility to pathogens [76-78]. Shaded *P. viticola* infected leaves, besides showing the lower content of flavonoids compared to full light exposed ones, also displayed the highest disease severity [69]. A similar result was obtained with the artificial inoculation of detached berries with *E. necator:* in this case shaded berries showed the high‐

Insects use of plants as a source of nutrients causes tissue mechanical damages and, in many cases, compromises plant health as consequence of virus or phytoplasma transmissions. Phytophagous find host plant using mainly olfactory signals produced by the host plant it‐ self. These chemical signals, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are plant secon‐ dary metabolites including alcohols, aldehydes, terpenoids and aromatic phenols, that showed a different role in plant-insect relationships [80]. Each plant species releases specific bouquets, which blend is influenced by plant phenology and health conditions [81]. Grape berries and leaves release hundred of volatiles compounds among which α-farnesene, (E)-βfarnesene and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. These compounds detected in Chardonnay varieties be‐ tween pre-flowering and green berry developmental phases, significantly elicited female attraction of *Lobesia botrana*, the most important insect of *V. vinifera* in Europe [82]. *Lobesia botrana* feeds on all *V. vinifera* cultivars but a different susceptibility to the insect among

In the study of Grapevine Yellows the involvement of VOCs in the ecology of *Scaphoideus titanus* Ball (the causal agent of Flavescence Doreé) and of *Hyalesthes obsoletus* Signoret (the causal agent of Bois noir), are under investigation. Observation on preference of *H. obsole‐ tus* for different plant species were made testing different plant extracts among which *V.*

The induced defences are the result of plant reaction to pathogen attack and require the per‐

Plants have evolved different active defence strategies aimed at the protection against bi‐ otic stresses. A first strategy is founded on the recognition, by host extra-cellular recep‐ tors, of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) which are microbial products, among which chitin [85-87]. This recognition triggers active plant defence mechanisms (PAMP-Triggered Immunity PTI), including the synthesis of pathogenesis related (PR) pro‐ teins, and the strengthening of plant tissue cell walls [88]. PTI strategy is considered a plant basal immunity against non-host specific pathogens and can be overcame from host specific pathogens, which developed the ability to produce effectors, molecules able to

ception of plant-tissues signals resulting from pathogen infection.

proantocyanidins are considered as markers of grapevine *B. cinerea* resistance [75].

est susceptibility to the pathogen [79].

228 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

grape varieties was shown [83].

*vinifera* [84].

**2.2. Induced defences**

The synthesis and accumulation of callose, a sugar polymer of (1-3)-β-D-glucose, occurs in phloematic tissues, root hairs, epidermal cells and in parenchimatic tissues as a consequence of fungal infections. Callose synthesis is considered a grapevine induced defence response to powdery and downy mildew [101-102]. Callose deposition on stomata as response to *P. viticola* infection is able to block the penetration of zoospores to the substomatal cavity 7 hours post infection (hpi) and at 24 hpi infected stomata are surrounded by necrotic areas, showing a HR-like reactions. The deposit of callose was also detected at 120 hpi in stomata close to infections sites, even though the presence of necrotic areas did not occur. The nature of signals that affect neighboring health stomata are unknown, but their callose deposition is able to prevent secondary infection and could be referred to a systemic acquired resistance process (SAR) against *P.viticola* [43]. The percentage of infected stomata that showed callose

deposition at 48 hpi is used as a histological marker to evaluate the degree of resistance to downy mildew of grape varieties [103]. Late callose deposition was detected in the meso‐ phyll both in susceptible than in resistant *Vitis* varieties. At this time the pathogen block, oc‐ curred at 3-4 days after inoculation, was observed only in resistant varieties and was related with the presence of further defence mechanisms [102]. The presence of callose deposit was observed as a consequence of the grape leaf infection of *E. necator.* In this case the penetra‐ tion of the haustorium in epidermal cells was stopped by the formation of a papilla, a struc‐ ture formed by different layers containing carbohydrates, silica and phenolic compounds and callose deposits could be observed around the haustorial neck and papilla [101].

The role of callose in grape defence mechanisms was validated by the increase of the num‐ ber of sporangia produced in leaf tissues infected with *P. viticola* treated with 2-deoxy-Dglucose (DDG), an inhibitor of callose synthesis. The increase of sporangia was observed also in *P. viticola* resistant variety Solaris, even thought Solaris treated tissues showed higher resistance compared to the basal resistance of susceptible Chasselas variety, indicating the involvement of further resistance factors, besides callose synthesis, in Solaris [104].

**•** Stilbenes synthesis

Stilbenes are low molecular weight phenolic compounds found in several plant genera, in‐ cluded many *Vitis* species. Stilbenes show low solubility in water and high solubility in or‐ ganic solvents. In *V. vinifera* they are costitutive compounds of the berry and of woody tissues [105]. Grapevine stilbenes include several compounds among which resveratrol, with *cis* and *trans* isomers, piceid and resveratroloside, two glucosides of resveratrol [106] and different molecules derived from resveratrol, that include pterostilbene and viniferins [71, 107-108]. Resveratrol was the first described stilbenic compound and its activity is studied since the first half of XX century. Resveratrol content in grape berries is influenced by envi‐ ronmental conditions, vineyard agronomic management and genotype characteristics [105-106,109-110]; it is included among wine components [105-106] and recently its regular presence in human diet was positively correlated with the protection from cancer and other cardiovascular diseases [110-112]. Stilbenes production has been related to plant response to abiotic elicitors among which UV-irradiation, ozone, fosetyl-Al, metyl-jasmonate, benzothia‐ diazole, chitosan olygomers, ciclodextrins and salicylic acid [113-114]. Stilbenes are induced in non-woody vine tissues, such as flowers, leaves and berries, by different pathogen infec‐ tions among which *B. cinerea,* one of the first studied elicitors [107], and by *P. viticola, E. neca‐ tor*, *Phomopsis viticola*, *Rhizopus stolonifer*, *Aspergillus* spp., *Trichoderma viride* [106, 114-115]. Induced stilbenes are considered phytoalexins, compounds with antimicrobial activity and the involvement of stilbenic phytoalexins in grapevine induced defences against *B. cinerea* was observed for a long time [113]. Stilbenes are able to inhibit some fungal ATPases and fungal cells respiration [73, 116], and their effectiveness is related to the rapidity of their syn‐ thesis. Stilbene-sinthase is the key enzyme in resveratrol synthesis. The decrease of berry re‐ sveratrol content during berry ripening and sugar accumulation goes with the increase of berry susceptibility to *B.cinerea.* Resveratrol reduction in ripe berries was related to the de‐ cline of stilbene-sinthase gene expression and to the contemporary increase of chalcone-sin‐ thase enzyme which is bound with flavonoyds synthesis [73, 116]. Among stilbenes, resveratrol did not show an instant antimicrobial activity [117], even though the long term incubation of the pathogen together with resveratrol can inhibit conidia germination and the growth of germ tubes [118]. Also the production of resveratrol in micropropagated grape ex‐ plants was correlated with the severity of gray mold infection [119]. *B. cinerea* evolved the ability to detoxify grape berry phytoalexins by stilbene oxidase activity [72,74] and the accu‐ mulation of resveratrol in leaf tissues of *in vitro* transgenic plants for stilbene synthase gene was related to the reduction of disease severity [120]. Among other stilbenes the role of pter‐ ostilbene against gray mold infection remains unclear, considering that its content did not increase after berry inoculation [73].

deposition at 48 hpi is used as a histological marker to evaluate the degree of resistance to downy mildew of grape varieties [103]. Late callose deposition was detected in the meso‐ phyll both in susceptible than in resistant *Vitis* varieties. At this time the pathogen block, oc‐ curred at 3-4 days after inoculation, was observed only in resistant varieties and was related with the presence of further defence mechanisms [102]. The presence of callose deposit was observed as a consequence of the grape leaf infection of *E. necator.* In this case the penetra‐ tion of the haustorium in epidermal cells was stopped by the formation of a papilla, a struc‐ ture formed by different layers containing carbohydrates, silica and phenolic compounds

and callose deposits could be observed around the haustorial neck and papilla [101].

involvement of further resistance factors, besides callose synthesis, in Solaris [104].

**•** Stilbenes synthesis

230 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The role of callose in grape defence mechanisms was validated by the increase of the num‐ ber of sporangia produced in leaf tissues infected with *P. viticola* treated with 2-deoxy-Dglucose (DDG), an inhibitor of callose synthesis. The increase of sporangia was observed also in *P. viticola* resistant variety Solaris, even thought Solaris treated tissues showed higher resistance compared to the basal resistance of susceptible Chasselas variety, indicating the

Stilbenes are low molecular weight phenolic compounds found in several plant genera, in‐ cluded many *Vitis* species. Stilbenes show low solubility in water and high solubility in or‐ ganic solvents. In *V. vinifera* they are costitutive compounds of the berry and of woody tissues [105]. Grapevine stilbenes include several compounds among which resveratrol, with *cis* and *trans* isomers, piceid and resveratroloside, two glucosides of resveratrol [106] and different molecules derived from resveratrol, that include pterostilbene and viniferins [71, 107-108]. Resveratrol was the first described stilbenic compound and its activity is studied since the first half of XX century. Resveratrol content in grape berries is influenced by envi‐ ronmental conditions, vineyard agronomic management and genotype characteristics [105-106,109-110]; it is included among wine components [105-106] and recently its regular presence in human diet was positively correlated with the protection from cancer and other cardiovascular diseases [110-112]. Stilbenes production has been related to plant response to abiotic elicitors among which UV-irradiation, ozone, fosetyl-Al, metyl-jasmonate, benzothia‐ diazole, chitosan olygomers, ciclodextrins and salicylic acid [113-114]. Stilbenes are induced in non-woody vine tissues, such as flowers, leaves and berries, by different pathogen infec‐ tions among which *B. cinerea,* one of the first studied elicitors [107], and by *P. viticola, E. neca‐ tor*, *Phomopsis viticola*, *Rhizopus stolonifer*, *Aspergillus* spp., *Trichoderma viride* [106, 114-115]. Induced stilbenes are considered phytoalexins, compounds with antimicrobial activity and the involvement of stilbenic phytoalexins in grapevine induced defences against *B. cinerea* was observed for a long time [113]. Stilbenes are able to inhibit some fungal ATPases and fungal cells respiration [73, 116], and their effectiveness is related to the rapidity of their syn‐ thesis. Stilbene-sinthase is the key enzyme in resveratrol synthesis. The decrease of berry re‐ sveratrol content during berry ripening and sugar accumulation goes with the increase of berry susceptibility to *B.cinerea.* Resveratrol reduction in ripe berries was related to the de‐ cline of stilbene-sinthase gene expression and to the contemporary increase of chalcone-sin‐ thase enzyme which is bound with flavonoyds synthesis [73, 116]. Among stilbenes,

Several studies analyzed stilbene production during downy mildew infection. The toxicity of pterostilbene and of the two resveratrol dimers δ-viniferin and ε-viniferin against *P. vit‐ icola* was demonstrated, while piceid, a resveratrol derived compound, did not show anti‐ microbial activity as its high synthesis and accumulation was showed in infected leaf tissues of the susceptible Chasselas variety [103, 121]. The involvement of stilbenes in induced de‐ fence mechanisms against *P. viticola* was shown in *V. rotundifolia,* which infection with the oomycete lead both to the extrusion of pathogen cells from stomata and to the accumula‐ tion in infected tissues of one hundred fold of stilbenic molecules compared to the stil‐ bene content detected in infected tissues of resistant hybrids [122]. Pterostilbene is considered the most toxic stilbene compound against downy mildew. Its inhibition of the mobility of *P.viticola* zoospores was shown in laboratory tests, whereas resveratrol and pi‐ ceide did not influence pathogen propagules activeness [121]. In the resistant grape hy‐ brid IRAC 2091 pterostilbene was one of the most synthetized stilbenes in infected tissues, and its toxic activity caused the reduction of pathogen growth and development [122]. Any‐ way the average constitutive content of pterostilbene in *V. vinifera* varieties is very low: less than 5 µg/g in leaves and fruit [73] and its concentration still remains very low in infected leaves and berries. As consequence its role in defense mechanisms is difficult to study [121]. Among stilbenes also viniferins showed a toxic activity agaist *P. viticola* zoospores, particu‐ larly δ-viniferin that has higher toxicity compared to ε-viniferina. Both compounds were identified as the major stilbenes synthesized in grape leaves infected with *P. viticola*, play‐ ing an important role in grapevine resistance to downy mildew [121]. Stilbenes have been proposed as early selection markers for resistance in grapevine breeding programs aimed to obtain downy mildew resistant genotypes. The analysis of contents of viniferins in the leaves of seedlings at 48 hpi can predict the degree of resistance to downy mildew in the selection of resistant hybrids [103].

Plant stilbene synthesis was related to the grapevine disease powdery mildew [123]. The exogenous application of methyl-jasmonate on susceptible Cabernet-Sauvignon variety in‐ creased its resistance to *E. necator* and the content of resveratrol, piceide, ε and δ- viniferins and of pterostilbene in the epidermis of leaves, suggesting a role of stilbenes in plant de‐ fence mechanisms against powdery mildew [124]. The determination of viniferins content as marker of resistance to powdery mildew has been proposed to carry out genetic selection programs. Considering that *E. necator* infections are restricted to the first layer of epidermis the amount of viniferins must be related to the number of fungal appressoria [119].

#### **•** Other phenolic compounds

Plant phenolic compounds are a very heterogeneous group of metabolites which presence in plant tissues is considered an adaptive response to adverse environmental conditions. The role of these metabolites may be physiologically important as a means of storing carbon in presence of plant nutritional deficiencies [126] and the abundance of different phenolic com‐ pounds in plant tissues has been explained as an evolutive strategy of protection against plant tissues photodamages [25]. Anyway many evidences suggest that phenolic com‐ pounds accumulation may be related to plant defence responses induced by pathogen infec‐ tion [25]. The analysis of plant responses showed that the accumulation of polyphenols in cell wall of infected tissues and non-infected neighbouring tissues is related to plant HR re‐ sponse induced by pathogen penetration [59]. The accumulation of electrondense deposits referable to phenolic compounds was observed in *V. rotundifolia* spongy mesophyll and pali‐ sade as a consequence of *P. viticola* infection [122].

Among phenolic compounds the synthesis of flavonoids besides by light intensity can be in‐ fluenced by biotic elicitors [25]. Their accumulation in grapevine tissues was related to in‐ duced defence mechanisms as shown in different comparative studies on *Vitis* species. In downy mildew resistant *V. rotundifolia*, the rapid plant response to the infection and the in‐ hibition of pathogen growth was associated with the occurrence of small tissue necrotic spots and the detection at 2 days post infection (dpi) of a high content of flavonoids in in‐ fected stomata and closer tissues. A similar accumulation of flavonoids was detected in *V. rupestris*, an intermediate resistant species to *P. viticola,* that at 8 dpi showed the presence of peroxidase activity and the occurrence of wide tissue necrosis, resveratrol accumulation and delayed synthesis of lignin (15 dpi). In *V. vinifera* cv Grenache any HR activity were ob‐ served after infection and delayed flavonoid accumulation, detected at 8 dpi, was not able to limit high pathogen sporulation. These data suggest a key role of flavonoids during downy mildew infection as their fast synthesis is able to limit pathogen growth [127].

Grapevine berries show a different resistance to *E. necator* during their growth, consider‐ ing the development of berry ontogenetic resistance [60]. The presence of autofluorescent polyfenolic compounds induced by powdery mildew infection was monitored in *V. vini‐ fera* during berry growth. The accumulation of phenols occurred in infected cells near fun‐ gal appressoria and in non infected contiguous cells with higher frequency in susceptible young berries compared to resistant older berries which showed the lowest rate of polyfe‐ nolic oxidization [63].

A different regulation of chalcone-flavonone isomerase, a key enzyme involved in the bio‐ synthesis of flavones, a class of flavonoids, was also found in *V.vinifera* Nebbiolo variety as consequence of the Flavescence dorée disease, suggesting the possible involvement of poly‐ phenols in plant response to phytoplasmas [128].

**•** Pathogenesis-Related Proteins

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins may be produced in host plants as response to biotic and abiotic stresses, chemical elicitors, tissue injured by the induction of specific PR genes [100, 129-131]. They are characterized by different structure and biological activity and include 17 families of proteins with low molecular mass, high resistance to proteolysis and soluble in acid buffers [132]. Different PR proteins families have been detected in grapevine: PR-2 pro‐ teins (β-1,3-glucanases) and PR-3 and 4 proteins (chitinases) are able to hydrolyse β-1,3-glu‐ cans and chitin respectively that are known to be components of cell wall of different higher fungi; PR-5 proteins (thaumatin-like proteins) which antifungal activity is associated with the permeabilization of fungal membrane or to chitinase activity [133]. Recently PR-10 pro‐ teins family was also described [134-135].

**•** Other phenolic compounds

232 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

nolic oxidization [63].

**•** Pathogenesis-Related Proteins

sade as a consequence of *P. viticola* infection [122].

phenols in plant response to phytoplasmas [128].

Plant phenolic compounds are a very heterogeneous group of metabolites which presence in plant tissues is considered an adaptive response to adverse environmental conditions. The role of these metabolites may be physiologically important as a means of storing carbon in presence of plant nutritional deficiencies [126] and the abundance of different phenolic com‐ pounds in plant tissues has been explained as an evolutive strategy of protection against plant tissues photodamages [25]. Anyway many evidences suggest that phenolic com‐ pounds accumulation may be related to plant defence responses induced by pathogen infec‐ tion [25]. The analysis of plant responses showed that the accumulation of polyphenols in cell wall of infected tissues and non-infected neighbouring tissues is related to plant HR re‐ sponse induced by pathogen penetration [59]. The accumulation of electrondense deposits referable to phenolic compounds was observed in *V. rotundifolia* spongy mesophyll and pali‐

Among phenolic compounds the synthesis of flavonoids besides by light intensity can be in‐ fluenced by biotic elicitors [25]. Their accumulation in grapevine tissues was related to in‐ duced defence mechanisms as shown in different comparative studies on *Vitis* species. In downy mildew resistant *V. rotundifolia*, the rapid plant response to the infection and the in‐ hibition of pathogen growth was associated with the occurrence of small tissue necrotic spots and the detection at 2 days post infection (dpi) of a high content of flavonoids in in‐ fected stomata and closer tissues. A similar accumulation of flavonoids was detected in *V. rupestris*, an intermediate resistant species to *P. viticola,* that at 8 dpi showed the presence of peroxidase activity and the occurrence of wide tissue necrosis, resveratrol accumulation and delayed synthesis of lignin (15 dpi). In *V. vinifera* cv Grenache any HR activity were ob‐ served after infection and delayed flavonoid accumulation, detected at 8 dpi, was not able to limit high pathogen sporulation. These data suggest a key role of flavonoids during downy

Grapevine berries show a different resistance to *E. necator* during their growth, consider‐ ing the development of berry ontogenetic resistance [60]. The presence of autofluorescent polyfenolic compounds induced by powdery mildew infection was monitored in *V. vini‐ fera* during berry growth. The accumulation of phenols occurred in infected cells near fun‐ gal appressoria and in non infected contiguous cells with higher frequency in susceptible young berries compared to resistant older berries which showed the lowest rate of polyfe‐

A different regulation of chalcone-flavonone isomerase, a key enzyme involved in the bio‐ synthesis of flavones, a class of flavonoids, was also found in *V.vinifera* Nebbiolo variety as consequence of the Flavescence dorée disease, suggesting the possible involvement of poly‐

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins may be produced in host plants as response to biotic and abiotic stresses, chemical elicitors, tissue injured by the induction of specific PR genes [100, 129-131]. They are characterized by different structure and biological activity and include 17

mildew infection as their fast synthesis is able to limit pathogen growth [127].

Some members of different PR families show antifungal activity strengthening their possible role in plant defence [129, 136]. Isoforms of grape berry chitinases proved to have high toxic‐ ity against *B.cinerea* as their *in vitro* reduction of fungal conidia germination and inhibition of hyphal growth [100, 137]. Also thaumatin-like protein derived from mature berries of *B. cinerea* resistant varieties inhibited hyphal growth of grape pathogen *Botrytis cinerea* [137].

Anyway, even though some classes of these PR proteins showed in vitro toxic activity against grape pathogens, their role in plant defence mechanisms must be elucidated. Several studies analyzed the synthesis of PR-like proteins in non infected grape berries during rip‐ ening. From veraison to harvest there is a significant increase in total content of berry pro‐ teins. During this period most induced soluble proteins are chitinase and a thaumatin-like proteins also considering the decrease of photosynthetic enzymes. The accumulation of anti‐ fungal proteins in berries during this period occurr in ripe berries as they acquire resistance to powdery and downy mildew. Experimental results show that the antifungal efficacy of PR-like proteins is enhanced by sugar concentrations, showing the possible role of berry hexoses in the preservation of protein structure [100, 137]. Transcriptional changes in patho‐ gen susceptible and resistant grape varieties were observed after tissue infections and in several studies the largest proportion of common transcripts were related to disease resist‐ ance, including several encoding PR proteins such as chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases.

The variation of chitinase and of β-1,3-glucanase activities was analyzed during grape leaves infection with *B.cinerea*. Pathogen infection significantly elicited the biosynthesis of chitinas‐ es starting from 48 hpi. A similar trend was observed for glucanase activity which increased from 48 to 72 hpi. Both chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases presence was observed around leaf dead cells, were the accumulation of secondary metabolites, among which phenols, was de‐ tected [100]. High levels of chitinases and of β-1,3-glucanases, which showed a lytic activity against germinative tubes of *E. necator*, were detected in infected grape leaves and green ber‐ ries [138]. Among defense-related proteins that accumulated in Cabernet Sauvignon infected leaves, two members of PR-10 familiy were identified at different times from inoculation as response to powdery mildew infection [139].

Some studies suggest that the different level of resistance to *P. viticola* between resistant and susceptible varieties is induced after infection and is not related to differences in basal gene expression. Transcriptional changes associated with *P. viticola* infection indicate that where‐ as in *V. riparia* the resistance is a post-infection condition related to the early activation of signal transduction and to the synthesis of defence metabolites, in susceptible *V. vinifera* on‐ ly a weak and abortive defense response was shown after infection [140]. In downy mildew susceptible Pinot noir variety the induction of PR proteins occurred in the leaves at 48 hpi and the synthesis of most PR-10 defense related proteins increased significantly by 96 hpi, which was too late to produce an effective impact on the infection [141]. Anyway the in‐ crease of chitinase transcripts detected after *P.viticola* infection of susceptible young leaves of Pinot noir and the presence of a systemic induction of lytic enzyme activities were corre‐ lated with the expression of SAR [99].

The role of salicylic acid as molecular signal in the production of several chitinase iso‐ forms in leaves and berries was showed [100] and recently in a comparative study be‐ tween *V. riparia* and *V. vinifera* during the infection of the biotrophic pathogen *P. viticola* the significant increase of the basal level of jasmonic acid was detected only in resistant *V. riparia,* while in *V. vinifera* any difference between health and infected plants was ob‐ served [140]. A different regulation of thaumatin-like and osmotin-like proteins of the PR-5 family was also found in *V.vinifera* Nebbiolo variety as consequence of the phytoplas‐ ma disease Flavescence dorée [128].

It seems useful here to consider that the possibility to increase grapevine resistance to fungal pathogens by biotechnological techniques that can permit the overexpression of PR proteins could lead to the increase of the risks of wine turbidity.

#### **3. Conclusion**

In most suitable areas of grapevine cultivation a large number of hazaurdous pests and pathogens are able to compromise plant health and fruit quality. With the aim to protect vines from parasite attacks, viticulturists have developed agronomical strategies that in‐ clude the use of chemical compounds, most of which have been successively found in ma‐ ture grapes, causing the reduction of fruits and wine quality. The decrease of grape biodiversity and the present genetic homogeneity of most vineyards due to the wide cultiva‐ tion of a restricted number of varieties, increase plant disease susceptibility and make diffi‐ cult the implementation of protection strategies. The use of selective chemical compounds has significantly improved the control of some plant diseases, but different grape pathogens have developed resistant strains that reduced the effectiveness of plant chemical protection. At present the availability of disease resistant grape varieties or selected clones has became a key strategy in many viticultural areas. During last years the conservation of grapevine germplasm increased as the characterization of endangered genotypes can improve the study of grapevine natural defence mechanisms. Plants evolved different level of response against microbial attack and the studies on different disease mechanisms suggest that sus‐ ceptible grapevine varieties show basal defences similarly to resistant genotypes, but in most cases delayed in time or weak for intensity. The study of morphological characteristics, genetic basis and chemical signals that regulated natural defence mechanisms in grapevine could allow us to develop significant advances in the exploitation of Vitis biological resour‐ ces and in the use of marker assisted selection aimed to reduce the time to select resistant genotypes for fruit quality improvement and environmental costs reduction.

#### **Author details**

and the synthesis of most PR-10 defense related proteins increased significantly by 96 hpi, which was too late to produce an effective impact on the infection [141]. Anyway the in‐ crease of chitinase transcripts detected after *P.viticola* infection of susceptible young leaves of Pinot noir and the presence of a systemic induction of lytic enzyme activities were corre‐

The role of salicylic acid as molecular signal in the production of several chitinase iso‐ forms in leaves and berries was showed [100] and recently in a comparative study be‐ tween *V. riparia* and *V. vinifera* during the infection of the biotrophic pathogen *P. viticola* the significant increase of the basal level of jasmonic acid was detected only in resistant *V. riparia,* while in *V. vinifera* any difference between health and infected plants was ob‐ served [140]. A different regulation of thaumatin-like and osmotin-like proteins of the PR-5 family was also found in *V.vinifera* Nebbiolo variety as consequence of the phytoplas‐

It seems useful here to consider that the possibility to increase grapevine resistance to fungal pathogens by biotechnological techniques that can permit the overexpression of PR proteins

In most suitable areas of grapevine cultivation a large number of hazaurdous pests and pathogens are able to compromise plant health and fruit quality. With the aim to protect vines from parasite attacks, viticulturists have developed agronomical strategies that in‐ clude the use of chemical compounds, most of which have been successively found in ma‐ ture grapes, causing the reduction of fruits and wine quality. The decrease of grape biodiversity and the present genetic homogeneity of most vineyards due to the wide cultiva‐ tion of a restricted number of varieties, increase plant disease susceptibility and make diffi‐ cult the implementation of protection strategies. The use of selective chemical compounds has significantly improved the control of some plant diseases, but different grape pathogens have developed resistant strains that reduced the effectiveness of plant chemical protection. At present the availability of disease resistant grape varieties or selected clones has became a key strategy in many viticultural areas. During last years the conservation of grapevine germplasm increased as the characterization of endangered genotypes can improve the study of grapevine natural defence mechanisms. Plants evolved different level of response against microbial attack and the studies on different disease mechanisms suggest that sus‐ ceptible grapevine varieties show basal defences similarly to resistant genotypes, but in most cases delayed in time or weak for intensity. The study of morphological characteristics, genetic basis and chemical signals that regulated natural defence mechanisms in grapevine could allow us to develop significant advances in the exploitation of Vitis biological resour‐ ces and in the use of marker assisted selection aimed to reduce the time to select resistant

genotypes for fruit quality improvement and environmental costs reduction.

lated with the expression of SAR [99].

234 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

ma disease Flavescence dorée [128].

**3. Conclusion**

could lead to the increase of the risks of wine turbidity.

Massimo Muganu and Marco Paolocci

Department of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forests, Nature and Energy, Univer‐ sity of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy

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## **Production of Anthocyanins in Grape Cell Cultures: A Potential Source of Raw Material for Pharmaceutical, Food, and Cosmetic Industries**

Anthony Ananga, Vasil Georgiev, Joel Ochieng, Bobby Phills and Violeta Tsolova

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/54592

#### **1. Introduction**

downy mildew infection in a susceptible (Vitis vinifera) and resistant (V. riparia)

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grapevine species. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:117

1284-1302.

246 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Research continues to show that many artificial pigments are actually detrimental to our health. According to [1], there is an increasing consumer preference for healthy foods, which has invit‐ ed considerable demand for the use of anthocyanins as natural colorants, because of their natu‐ ral pedigree and healthful properties. Anthocyanins are the most widely distributed group of water-soluble plant pigments in nature. They are mainly responsible for the mauve, red, blue, and purple colors in flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds and other organs in most of the flowering plants. The other important class of water-soluble pigments are betalains, which are present on‐ ly in plants belonging to 13 families of Caryophyllales order [2-5]. An interesting phenomenon is the existence of mutual exclusiveness of anthocyanins and betalains in plant kingdom [3, 5-9]. Recent research demonstrated that simultaneous production of anthocyanins and betalains is possible in cell cultures and seedlings of anthocyanin producing plants by introduction and ex‐ pression of genes encoding dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) dioxygenases in combination with substrate precursor feeding [10]. However, the co-occurrence of both pigments in the same plant species have never been found in nature and the plants which produce anthocyanins nev‐ er produce betalains and vice versa [6]. The commercial production of anthocyanin pigments is one of the fastest growing segments of the food colorant industry [2, 11]. The only industrial sources for anthocyanin pigments are from whole plant extracts [1], with the most common source being grape skins from the wine industry. According to [1], the demand of natural colo‐ rants continues to rise by 5-15% every year and this translated to the sales of anthocyanins isolat‐ ed from grape skins in 2002, which was estimated to be US\$200 million worldwide. The increase

© 2013 Ananga et al.; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Ananga et al.; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

in demand for processed foods and high health products has caused the manufacturers to look for alternative sources of colorants with antioxidant properties. One source is the production of anthocyanins through the use of plant cell cultures [2, 12, 13].

Anthocyanins are synthesized via the flavonoid pathway, and they are known to contribute red, blue and purple color to colored grapes, wines and other products [14-18]. Anthocyanins can be used not only as food and beverage additives to obtain attractive natural coloration [19], but also for generating pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Most researchers are optimistic about utilizing them as bioactive compounds with the consideration that they have the poten‐ tial to improve human health [1]. Anthocyanins have been implicated in lowering the risk of car‐ diovascular disease and certain cancers. Dietary anthocyanins can be obtained by humans through the ingestion of fresh colored fruits processed into food and beverages. For instance, the consumption of red grapes and wine is considered vital for bioavailable anthocyanins [20, 21]. To date, most anthocyanin colorants are extracted from grape skins, black carrots, red cab‐ bage, and sweet potato [11]. However, researchers are also exploring the idea of cultivating plant cell cultures for the production of natural colorants. Therefore, there is an interest in im‐ proving the quantity and quality of anthocyanins produced in grape cells, and this means that commercially viable systems must be developed to produce anthocyanins in grape cell cultures.

Production of anthocyanins by plant cell cultures is a feasible technology being pursued by industrial and academic interests. Several strategies are being used to enhance anthocyanin biosynthesis in plant cells. This involves a proper selection of the cell strain and optimiza‐ tion of media as well as culture conditions. It is crucial to note that anthocyanins obtained directly from fresh plant materials has limitations such as low metabolite yield, variability, and seasonal availability of raw materials, fresh material losses, inconsistent product quali‐ ty, and pigment degradation caused by storage and extraction process [22]. Therefore, it is prudent to use *in vitro* cell and tissue cultures for the production of anthocyanins as the po‐ tential alternative to synthetic coloring agents. In order to cultivate plant cell tissues using biological techniques, there needs to be two approaches; 1) cell cultures have to be studied, and 2) clonal propagation techniques have to be developed. According to [23], the study of cell cultures starts when the calli are initiated *in vitro*, for the purpose of finding the opti‐ mum media composition that best suits cultivation. It is important to note that during culti‐ vation process, the calli can undergo somaclonal variation as they go through different steps of subculture. However, single lines needs to be screened when the genetic stability is reached, so that the productivity of each cell line can be evaluated with the purpose of us‐ ing them in cell suspension cultures. In that regard, the production of anthocyanins can be increased in cell suspensions through different ways. The final step is the bioreactor culti‐ vation and scale-up to commercial production of anthocyanins. The last one is a critical step since it is in direct correlation with the economical feasibility of the entire process. In our laboratory, we have more than 10 years experience with *in vitro* cultures of different Native American grape species. We have various types of cell suspensions, obtained from the super-epidermal cells of muscadine berry skins (Noble var.) at two phonological stages: veraison and physiological maturity. The long-term goal of our research is to use these cells for nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and food additive studies.

#### **2. Biology and chemistry of anthocyanins as pigments**

in demand for processed foods and high health products has caused the manufacturers to look for alternative sources of colorants with antioxidant properties. One source is the production of

Anthocyanins are synthesized via the flavonoid pathway, and they are known to contribute red, blue and purple color to colored grapes, wines and other products [14-18]. Anthocyanins can be used not only as food and beverage additives to obtain attractive natural coloration [19], but also for generating pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Most researchers are optimistic about utilizing them as bioactive compounds with the consideration that they have the poten‐ tial to improve human health [1]. Anthocyanins have been implicated in lowering the risk of car‐ diovascular disease and certain cancers. Dietary anthocyanins can be obtained by humans through the ingestion of fresh colored fruits processed into food and beverages. For instance, the consumption of red grapes and wine is considered vital for bioavailable anthocyanins [20, 21]. To date, most anthocyanin colorants are extracted from grape skins, black carrots, red cab‐ bage, and sweet potato [11]. However, researchers are also exploring the idea of cultivating plant cell cultures for the production of natural colorants. Therefore, there is an interest in im‐ proving the quantity and quality of anthocyanins produced in grape cells, and this means that commercially viable systems must be developed to produce anthocyanins in grape cell cultures.

Production of anthocyanins by plant cell cultures is a feasible technology being pursued by industrial and academic interests. Several strategies are being used to enhance anthocyanin biosynthesis in plant cells. This involves a proper selection of the cell strain and optimiza‐ tion of media as well as culture conditions. It is crucial to note that anthocyanins obtained directly from fresh plant materials has limitations such as low metabolite yield, variability, and seasonal availability of raw materials, fresh material losses, inconsistent product quali‐ ty, and pigment degradation caused by storage and extraction process [22]. Therefore, it is prudent to use *in vitro* cell and tissue cultures for the production of anthocyanins as the po‐ tential alternative to synthetic coloring agents. In order to cultivate plant cell tissues using biological techniques, there needs to be two approaches; 1) cell cultures have to be studied, and 2) clonal propagation techniques have to be developed. According to [23], the study of cell cultures starts when the calli are initiated *in vitro*, for the purpose of finding the opti‐ mum media composition that best suits cultivation. It is important to note that during culti‐ vation process, the calli can undergo somaclonal variation as they go through different steps of subculture. However, single lines needs to be screened when the genetic stability is reached, so that the productivity of each cell line can be evaluated with the purpose of us‐ ing them in cell suspension cultures. In that regard, the production of anthocyanins can be increased in cell suspensions through different ways. The final step is the bioreactor culti‐ vation and scale-up to commercial production of anthocyanins. The last one is a critical step since it is in direct correlation with the economical feasibility of the entire process. In our laboratory, we have more than 10 years experience with *in vitro* cultures of different Native American grape species. We have various types of cell suspensions, obtained from the super-epidermal cells of muscadine berry skins (Noble var.) at two phonological stages: veraison and physiological maturity. The long-term goal of our research is to use these cells

anthocyanins through the use of plant cell cultures [2, 12, 13].

248 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

for nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and food additive studies.

As colored molecules, anthocyanins play a key role in survival and evolution of flowering plants by attracting pollinators, frugivores and seed dispersers on one hand, and by repelling herbivores and parasites on the other [24-26]. Moreover, anthocyanins execute several impor‐ tant physiological functions in plant cells, and their biosynthesis is strongly induced by biotic and abiotic stress factors. These factors include, light, UV radiation, high or low temperatures, wounding, osmotic stress, nutrient imbalance, ozone exposure, herbivores, microbial and viral attacks. In [24, 27] the major roles of anthocyanins in photoprotection of chloroplasts from pho‐ toinhibitory damage have been discussed in details. The authors have also clarified the involve‐ ment of anthocyanins in protection from UV-B radiation, as well as how anthocyanins decrease oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and modulating reactive oxygen signaling cas‐ cades. These cascades are responsible for triggering the expression of stress-responsive genes as well as the regulation of plant growth and development [24, 27].

Structurally anthocyanins are substituted glycosides and acylglycosides of 2-phenylbenzo‐ pyrilium salts (anthocyanidins). The basic structure of anthocyanidins consist of a chromane ring (C-6 – ring A and C-3 – ring C) bearing a second aromatic ring (C-6 – ring B) in position 2 (Figure 1) [2, 5, 28-30]. The various anthocyanidins differs in number and position of the hydroxyl and /or methyl ether groups attached on 3, 5, 6, 7, 3', 4' and/or 5' positions. Despite the fact that 31 different monomeric anthocyanidins have been identified (including 3-deox‐ yanthocyanidins, pyranoanthocyanidins and sphagnorubins), 90% of the naturally occurring anthocyanins are based on only six structures (30% on cyanidin **2**, 22% on delphinidin **3**, 18% on pelargonidin **1** and in summary 20% on peonidin **4**, malvidin **6** and petunidin **5**). Those six anthocyanidins are usually known as common anthocyanidins (Figure 1.) [29].

**Figure 1.** Structures of common anthocyanidins

The color of anthocyanidins differs with the number of hydroxyl groups, attached on their molecules (especially those substituted in ring B). With the increase of attached hydroxyl groups, the visible color of entire molecule shift from orange to violet (Figure 2) [2, 5, 29, 30]. Glycosylation of anthocyanidins results to additional reddening of obtained anthocyanins, whereas the presence of aliphatic or aromatic acyl moieties causes no color change or slight blue shift and has significant effect on their stability and solubility [5]. Changes in pH can also cause reversible structural transformations in anthocyanins molecules, which has a dramatic effect on their color (Figure 3) [30-34].

**Figure 2.** Visible color range of common anthocyanidins

**Figure 3.** Structural transformations of anthocyanins in aqueous medium with different pH.

Most of the anthocyanins are *O*-glycosylated at 3 (except those based on 3-deoxyanthocyani‐ dins and sphagnorubinns), 5 or 7 positions and in some cases at 3', 4' and 5' positions [24, 35]. However, 8-*C*-glycosylanthocyanins have been found only in *Tricyrtis formosana* Baker [36, 37]. Anthocyanins contain two, one or tree monosaccharide units in their molecules. The usual monosaccharide residues are glucose, galactose, arabinose, ramnose, xylose and glu‐ curonic acid. However, anthocyanins containing disaccharides and trisaccharides were also found in nature but no tetrasaccharides have been discovered yet [24]. Different anthocya‐ nins based on cyanidin **2** aglycone, found in nature are presented on Figure 4

**Figure 4.** Anthocyanins based on cyanidin aglycone.

The color of anthocyanidins differs with the number of hydroxyl groups, attached on their molecules (especially those substituted in ring B). With the increase of attached hydroxyl groups, the visible color of entire molecule shift from orange to violet (Figure 2) [2, 5, 29, 30]. Glycosylation of anthocyanidins results to additional reddening of obtained anthocyanins, whereas the presence of aliphatic or aromatic acyl moieties causes no color change or slight blue shift and has significant effect on their stability and solubility [5]. Changes in pH can also cause reversible structural transformations in anthocyanins molecules, which has a dramatic

effect on their color (Figure 3) [30-34].

250 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**Figure 2.** Visible color range of common anthocyanidins

**Figure 3.** Structural transformations of anthocyanins in aqueous medium with different pH.

#### **2.1. Anthocyanin biosynthesis in grapes**

As a major flavonoid group, anthocyanins are products of phenylpropanoid metabolism of plant cells [28, 29, 38]. Anthocyanins in grapes are synthesized via flavonoid pathway. The biosynthetic pathway can be divided into two sections, the basic flavonoid upstream path‐ way, which includes early biosynthetic genes (EBGs), and the specific anthocyanin down‐ stream branch, which includes late biosynthetic genes (LBGs) (Figure 5). Studies have shown that the basic flavonoid upstream pathway is restricted in many plants [39, 40, 41, 42] and that large gene families encodes the enzymes that act early in the flavonoid pathway, while the enzymes acting late in the pathway are encoded by single active gene [43]. The flavonoid pathway starts with phenylalanine, produced via shikimate pathway and trans‐ formed to 4-coumaroyl-CoA. The key enzyme, chalcone synthase (CHS) produce a naringe‐ nin chalcone by condense of one molecule 4-coumaroyl-CoA and three malonyl-CoA molecules (derived from citrate produced by The Krebs cycle) (Figure 5) [44]. In this case, the rings A and C are derived from the acetate pathway, whereas the ring B is derived from shikimate pathway [45]. Currently, there are three genes encoding CHS in grapes: *Chs1*(AB015872), *Chs 2* (AB066275), and *Chs 3* (AB066274), which are transcribed under dif‐ ferent controls [46, 47]. The three genes act to synthesize naringenin chalcone, which is used in the formation of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and other phenolic compounds. Ac‐ cording to [47], the three different CHSs may act in three different pathways to produce dif‐ ferent secondary metabolites. In the next step, chalcone isomerase (CHI) converts stereospecifically the naringenin chalcone to its isomer naringenin. Ring B of the naringenin undergoes further hydroxylation by the enzymes flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (F3'H), flavonoid 3'5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H) or flavanon 3ß-hydroxylase (F3H) [48]. Then, the obtained dihy‐ droflavonols are reduced by the enzyme dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) to the corre‐ sponding leucoanthocyanidins.

**Figure 5.** Flavonoids biosynthetic pathways and biosynthetic pathway of anthocyanins in grape: PAL - phenylalanine am‐ monia-lyase; C4H – cinnamate 4-hydroxylase; 4CL – 4-coumarate:CoA ligase; ACC – acetyl-CoA carboxylase; STS - stilbene synthase; CHS1, CHS2, and CHS3 - chalcone synthase 1, 2, and 3, respectively; PKR – polyketide reductase; AUS – aureusidin synthase; CHI1 and CHI2 - chalcone isomerase 1 and 2, respectively; FNS – flavone synthaes; FNR – flavonone 4-reductase; ANS – anthocyanidin synthase; GT – glucosyltransferases; AT – acyltransferases; MT – methyltransferases; F3'H – flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase; F3'5'H - flavonoid 3'5'-hydroxylase; F3H1 and F3H2 - flavanon 3β-hydroxylase 1 and 2, respectively; FLS – fla‐ vonol synthase; DFR – dihydroflavonol 4-reductase; LAR1 and LAR2 - leucoanthocyanidin reductase 1 and 2, respectively; ANR - anthocyanidin reductase; *MybA1* - MYB transcription factor gene [49]; UFGT - UDP-glucose: anthocianidin: flavonoid glucosyltransferase; OMT – *O*-methyltransferase; ACT – anthocyanin acyltransferase.

After this reduction, anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) oxidize leucoanthocyanidins to their corre‐ sponding anthocyanidins. Anthocyanidins are inherently unstable under physiological condi‐ tions and were immediately glycosylated to anthocyanins by UDP-glucose: Anthocianidin: Flavonoid glucosyltransferase (UFGT) [48]. Anthocyanins, containing methylated anthocyani‐ dins (peonidin **4**, petunidin **5** and malvidin **6**) as aglycone can be obtained by methylation of hy‐ droxyl groups on the ring B of the cyanidin-3-*O*-glucoside **7**, delphinidin-**3**-*O*-glucoside and petunidin-3-*O*-glucoside by the enzyme *O*-methyltransferase (OMT). Future acylation of pro‐ duced anthocyanins is possible by the action of different anthocyanin acyltransferases (ACT).

#### **2.2. Anthocyanins storage in grape cells**

**Figure 5.** Flavonoids biosynthetic pathways and biosynthetic pathway of anthocyanins in grape: PAL - phenylalanine am‐ monia-lyase; C4H – cinnamate 4-hydroxylase; 4CL – 4-coumarate:CoA ligase; ACC – acetyl-CoA carboxylase; STS - stilbene synthase; CHS1, CHS2, and CHS3 - chalcone synthase 1, 2, and 3, respectively; PKR – polyketide reductase; AUS – aureusidin synthase; CHI1 and CHI2 - chalcone isomerase 1 and 2, respectively; FNS – flavone synthaes; FNR – flavonone 4-reductase; ANS – anthocyanidin synthase; GT – glucosyltransferases; AT – acyltransferases; MT – methyltransferases; F3'H – flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase; F3'5'H - flavonoid 3'5'-hydroxylase; F3H1 and F3H2 - flavanon 3β-hydroxylase 1 and 2, respectively; FLS – fla‐ vonol synthase; DFR – dihydroflavonol 4-reductase; LAR1 and LAR2 - leucoanthocyanidin reductase 1 and 2, respectively; ANR - anthocyanidin reductase; *MybA1* - MYB transcription factor gene [49]; UFGT - UDP-glucose: anthocianidin: flavonoid

glucosyltransferase; OMT – *O*-methyltransferase; ACT – anthocyanin acyltransferase.

252 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Once anthocyanins have been produced, they are transported and stored into the cell vacuole. Inside of vacuole, anthocyanins could be connected to specific proteins forming nomembrane intravacuolar bodies, known as anthocyanic vacuolar inclusions (AVI) (Figure 6) [50]. It has been confirmed that AVI plays a critical role in formation of color in flowering plants [50]. Recently, AVI from grape cell suspension were isolated and analyzed [51]. In contradiction with other plants, it was demonstrated that in grape cell suspension AVI consist of complex mix of tannins, anthocyanins (predominantly acylated derivates), proteins and other organic compounds, encased by lipid membrane [32, 51]. It was observed that a strong correlation between the prevalence of AVI structures in grapevine cell suspensions and the increase of their anthocyanin accumulation exist [51]. However, the enhancement of AVI prevalence does affect neither the number of available pigmented cells nor the overall growth rate of suspension cultures. Since AVI plays an important function in the storage and concentration of anthocya‐ nins in cell vacuoles, their perspective role as enhancers of anthocyanin accumulation in grape cell suspensions have been proposed [51].

**Figure 6.** Anthocyanic vacuolar inclusions (AVI) in cell vacuoles of muscadine callus culture.

#### **2.3. Characterization of anthocyanins in grapes**

Grapes are rich sources of anthocyanins and bioavailable flavonoids. Grapevines are one of the world's most grown economically important fruit crops. Currently, there are more than 10000 grape cultivars deposited in germplasm collection [52, 53]. Among them, the cultivars of *Vitis vinifera* L. and *Muscadinia rotundifolia* (Michx.) Small., are the most important grapes in Europe and United States, respectively [48]. As a result of crop domestication, numerous changes in grapevine genome have occurred, leading to great variation in berry color [54]. Great differences exist between the vine varieties determined by the presence or absence of anthocyanins in their berries, as well as due to the different anthocyanin compositions of colored berries. It was found that retrotransposon-induced mutations in *Myb*-related *Vvmy‐ bA1* gene are responsible for appearance of white-fruited *Vitis* varieties [54-56]. The color of grape berries are unique based on the anthocyanin accumulation, and it can be used as "fingerprint" for variety recognition [57]. Thus, *Vitis vinifera* L. varieties produce only antho‐ cyanidin-3-*O*-monoglucosides, anthocyanidin-3-*O*-acetylglucosides and anthocyanidin-3-*Op*-coumarylglucosides, whereas the other *Vitis* species and hybrids produce also anthocyanidin-3,5-*O*-diglucosides [48, 58-61]. Moreover, some *V. vinifera* L. cultivars such as Pinot Noir, red "Chardonnay" and pink "Sultana" produced only nonacylated anthocyani‐ din-3-*O*-monoglucosides and *M. rotundifolia* (Michx.) Small. accumulates only nonacylated anthocyanidin-3,5-*O*-diglucosides [48, 58, 62-64]. It was demonstrated that the lack of antho‐ cyanidin-3,5-*O*-diglucosides in *V. vinifera* L. varieties is due to occurrence of double mutation in their anthocyanin 5-*O*-glucosyltransferase gene [65]. However, hybrid varieties always produce mixtures of anthocyanidin-3-*O*-monoglucosides and anthocyanidin-3,5-*O*-digluco‐ sides which is used to monitor their usage in winemaking [48, 57]. The aglycones of common anhocyanins found in grapes are malvidin **6**, delphinidin **3**, petunidin **5**, cyanidin **2**, peonidin **4** and pelargonidin **1**. Malvidin **6** is the predominant anthocyanidin in most of the *V. vinifera* L. varieties (with exception of some "Muscat" cultivars in which cyanidin **2** is the major aglycone), whereas pelargonidin-**3**-*O*-glucoside was detected only in trace amounts [48, 66]. Recently trace amounts of pelargonidin-**3**-*O*-glucoside and pelargonidin-3,5-*O*-diglucoside were found to present also in *Vitis labrusca* L. and *Vitis amurensis* Rupr., respectively [57, 67]. The absence of pelargonidin 1 derivates in detectable concentrations in grape could be explained with the higher activities of F3'H and F3'5'H in *Vitis* species, which redirects the metabolite flux to production of cyanidin **2** and delphinidin **3** instead of pelargonidin **1** [48].

#### **2.4. Anthocyanins relevant to berry quality**

During their growth, grape berries follow a double sigmoid curve [68]. Veraison is the unique stage of berry development, representing the transition from growth stage to ripening. Once the grape berries enter to veraison, many physiological and biochemical changes occur. The grape cells completely redirect their metabolism to production of secondary metabolites, necessary to prepare berries for reaching the stage of physiological maturity. During this stage, the chlorophyll in berries has been completely lost and the biosynthesis of flavonoids, including anthocyanins is promoted [68]. Microarray analysis showed remarkable overex‐ pression of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and particularly in anthocyanin produc‐ tion during veraison and ripening in *vinifera*, *rotundifolia* and *aestivalis* species [47, 69, 70]. With the progress of anthocyanins accumulation the color of grape berries changes from green through red and then to purple due to the subsequent methylation of produced anthoyanins. This results in the increment of the relative shear of more metabolically evolved anthocyanins in the mature berries [68, 71]. Anthocyanin composition of grape variety is of great importance for estimation of technological properties of berries in winemaking. Thus the varieties, which accumulates predominantly anthocyanins build on anthocyanidins having ortho-positioned hydroxyl groups (cyanidin **2**, delphinidin **3** and petunidin **5**) are sources of more unstable color, compared to varieties, which accumulates anthocyanins based on malvidin **6**, peonidin **4** and pelargonidin **1** [48, 63]. Moreover, the increased amount of acylated anthocyanins significantly contributes to the stabilities of their color [63, 72, 73]. The quantity and quality of anthocyanins plays a crucial role in evaluation of berry qualities and determination of the right time for their collection. To monitor accumulation of pigments in situ, a rapid and non-invasive method based on application of fluorescence sensor has been developed [74, 75]. The method allows anthocyanin content in grape bunches to be monitored non-destructively on the vine in the field and was found to be effective in detecting the earlier ripening processes [74, 75].

**2.3. Characterization of anthocyanins in grapes**

254 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**2.4. Anthocyanins relevant to berry quality**

Grapes are rich sources of anthocyanins and bioavailable flavonoids. Grapevines are one of the world's most grown economically important fruit crops. Currently, there are more than 10000 grape cultivars deposited in germplasm collection [52, 53]. Among them, the cultivars of *Vitis vinifera* L. and *Muscadinia rotundifolia* (Michx.) Small., are the most important grapes in Europe and United States, respectively [48]. As a result of crop domestication, numerous changes in grapevine genome have occurred, leading to great variation in berry color [54]. Great differences exist between the vine varieties determined by the presence or absence of anthocyanins in their berries, as well as due to the different anthocyanin compositions of colored berries. It was found that retrotransposon-induced mutations in *Myb*-related *Vvmy‐ bA1* gene are responsible for appearance of white-fruited *Vitis* varieties [54-56]. The color of grape berries are unique based on the anthocyanin accumulation, and it can be used as "fingerprint" for variety recognition [57]. Thus, *Vitis vinifera* L. varieties produce only antho‐ cyanidin-3-*O*-monoglucosides, anthocyanidin-3-*O*-acetylglucosides and anthocyanidin-3-*Op*-coumarylglucosides, whereas the other *Vitis* species and hybrids produce also anthocyanidin-3,5-*O*-diglucosides [48, 58-61]. Moreover, some *V. vinifera* L. cultivars such as Pinot Noir, red "Chardonnay" and pink "Sultana" produced only nonacylated anthocyani‐ din-3-*O*-monoglucosides and *M. rotundifolia* (Michx.) Small. accumulates only nonacylated anthocyanidin-3,5-*O*-diglucosides [48, 58, 62-64]. It was demonstrated that the lack of antho‐ cyanidin-3,5-*O*-diglucosides in *V. vinifera* L. varieties is due to occurrence of double mutation in their anthocyanin 5-*O*-glucosyltransferase gene [65]. However, hybrid varieties always produce mixtures of anthocyanidin-3-*O*-monoglucosides and anthocyanidin-3,5-*O*-digluco‐ sides which is used to monitor their usage in winemaking [48, 57]. The aglycones of common anhocyanins found in grapes are malvidin **6**, delphinidin **3**, petunidin **5**, cyanidin **2**, peonidin **4** and pelargonidin **1**. Malvidin **6** is the predominant anthocyanidin in most of the *V. vinifera* L. varieties (with exception of some "Muscat" cultivars in which cyanidin **2** is the major aglycone), whereas pelargonidin-**3**-*O*-glucoside was detected only in trace amounts [48, 66]. Recently trace amounts of pelargonidin-**3**-*O*-glucoside and pelargonidin-3,5-*O*-diglucoside were found to present also in *Vitis labrusca* L. and *Vitis amurensis* Rupr., respectively [57, 67]. The absence of pelargonidin 1 derivates in detectable concentrations in grape could be explained with the higher activities of F3'H and F3'5'H in *Vitis* species, which redirects the metabolite flux to production of cyanidin **2** and delphinidin **3** instead of pelargonidin **1** [48].

During their growth, grape berries follow a double sigmoid curve [68]. Veraison is the unique stage of berry development, representing the transition from growth stage to ripening. Once the grape berries enter to veraison, many physiological and biochemical changes occur. The grape cells completely redirect their metabolism to production of secondary metabolites, necessary to prepare berries for reaching the stage of physiological maturity. During this stage, the chlorophyll in berries has been completely lost and the biosynthesis of flavonoids, including anthocyanins is promoted [68]. Microarray analysis showed remarkable overex‐ pression of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and particularly in anthocyanin produc‐

#### **3. Transcriptional regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in grapes**

Anthocyanin biosynthesis in grapes commences only when ripening of the berry begins (termed véraison) and normally continues throughout the ripening phase of growth. Antho‐ cyanin biosynthesis pathway in grapes has been greatly investigated, including intracellular transportation and accumulation [18, 76-78]. Most of the structural genes have been isolated, cloned and characterized, and there is valuable information available on the mechanisms that regulate their expression within the plant cell [29, 44, 79]. Multiple regulatory genes under the complex regulation are responsible for the synthesis of anthocyanin at the transcriptional level [17, 18, 80]. The early biosynthetic genes (EBGs), which are upstream of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, are regulated by several different families of genes called the Myb transcriptional factors, Myc transcriptional factors (encoding basic helix–loop-helix proteins, bHLH) and WD40-like proteins [40-42, 81]. On the other hand, late biosynthetic genes (LBGs), which are downstream leading to anthocyanin formation through glycosylation and subse‐ quent modification (methylation and acylation) are under the specific control of several regulatory factors. Specific regulatory genes have been identified and characterized in *A*. *thaliana* and they include *PAP1 & PAP2* (Myb family), *GL3 & EGL3* (Myc family) and *TTG1* (WD40 family). These genes are known to regulate the expression of the structural genes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis [82-84]. According to [85], some genes belonging to the Myb and Myc factors (e.g MYBL2, MYB4 and BHLH32) also act negatively to regulate biosynthetic pathway of anthocyanins in *A*. *thaliana*. However, in grapes, R2R3-Myb tran‐ scriptional factors have been implicated to control different branches of the phenylpropanoid pathway including anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins. Deluc *et al*. [86, 87], reported that transcriptional factors, *Vvmyb5a* and *Vvmyb5b* belongs to this group. However, still little is known about the transcriptional regulation of the structural genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis throughout berry development.

Recent studies in grapevine indicates that VvMYBA1 and VvMYBA2 transcription factors regulate UFGT gene, which plays a crucial role in the synthesis and accumulation of antho‐ cyanins [56, 88-90], also identified another key R2R3-MYB protein that regulates proantho‐ cyanidins (PA) synthesis in berry skin and seeds. But it is important to note that regulatory genes that control the expression of genes that encodes enzymes located upstream of UFGT have not been identified. It has been suggested that there is a contribution of at least two distinct regulatory complexes involved in the early and late steps of berry development [61]. Another study [86] also revealed that a MYB gene named *VvMYB5a* is associated with the regulation of the flavonoid pathway during the early phase of berry development. The study of tran‐ scription factors involved in the later steps of berry ripening is crucial, so that the coordinate regulatory mechanisms of the biosynthetic pathway throughout the berry development can be understood. R2R3-Myb related transcriptional factors such as *VlmybA1-1*, *VlmybA1-2* and *VlmybA2* have been identified as specifically regulating anthocyanin accumulation. Kobayashi et al. [56] and This et al. [54] revealed that, a retrotransposon, *Gret1*, is inserted in the 5'-flanking region of its related non-functional *VvmybA1* gene, and this contributes to the function lose of its transcriptional factor in white *V. vinifera* L. grapes. However, their research indicated that, the *Gret1* insertion is missing from the *VvmybA1* genes in red skinned spots of white cultivars, leaving behind a solo long terminal repeat (LTR), which becomes the functional regulatory gene. This means that red and white spots seen in the skins of grape berries are the result of deletion of the inception region of the retrotransposon, *Gret1* [91]. *VvmybA1* factor is regarded to be the major gene determining the synthesis of anthocyanin in the grape skin, thus the red and white color of the berries [55, 92]. In addition, *VvmybA1* and *VvmybA2* genes have also been reported to belong to the *VvmybA* family regulator genes in grapes, and they are also responsible for the color accumulation of the grape berries [91].

#### **4. Muscadine grape cells as model system**

Muscadines (*Muscadinia rotundifolia* (Michx.) Small.) are native grapes of North America and they are considered the most important cultivated grapevine species in the Southeastern part of the United States. Muscadine grapes are well known for their characteristic flavor and popularity in making juices, jellies, jams, and wine. It is important to note that muscadines are the only grapes that contain ellagic acid, which is known for its anticarcinogenic activity. In recent years, their production has increased significantly because of health promoting effects. They are known to have thick, tough skins that result in relatively low yield in juice, and therefore, 40% to 50% of the berry skins, pulp and seeds have not been traditionally used. The utilization of muscadine cell lines could have an important economic influence on the musca‐ dine industry by expanding the uses of muscadine beyond the traditional jellies, jams, juices, and wines. Our laboratory (Viticulture lab at Florida A&M University) has started to investi‐ gate the feasibility of using *in vitro* red cell cultures [93] to improve human health. These cells were established from super-epidermal cells of muscadinia 'Noble' var [93]. They have been cultivated from a hard calli to fine cells both in suspension and in solid media. Current functional genomic studies suggest that there is an elevated expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway genes in the *in vitro* red cells of muscadine [69, 94]. Other studies are also underway to evaluate their phenolic compounds and transcriptomics. However, it is important to note that gene expression studies of flavonoid biosynthetic genes are crucial for anthocyanin biosynthesis in the red cells of muscadine.

#### **4.1. Genetic modification: A promising strategy to up-regulate or down-regulate the production of anthocyanins in muscadine grape cells**

still little is known about the transcriptional regulation of the structural genes involved in

Recent studies in grapevine indicates that VvMYBA1 and VvMYBA2 transcription factors regulate UFGT gene, which plays a crucial role in the synthesis and accumulation of antho‐ cyanins [56, 88-90], also identified another key R2R3-MYB protein that regulates proantho‐ cyanidins (PA) synthesis in berry skin and seeds. But it is important to note that regulatory genes that control the expression of genes that encodes enzymes located upstream of UFGT have not been identified. It has been suggested that there is a contribution of at least two distinct regulatory complexes involved in the early and late steps of berry development [61]. Another study [86] also revealed that a MYB gene named *VvMYB5a* is associated with the regulation of the flavonoid pathway during the early phase of berry development. The study of tran‐ scription factors involved in the later steps of berry ripening is crucial, so that the coordinate regulatory mechanisms of the biosynthetic pathway throughout the berry development can be understood. R2R3-Myb related transcriptional factors such as *VlmybA1-1*, *VlmybA1-2* and *VlmybA2* have been identified as specifically regulating anthocyanin accumulation. Kobayashi et al. [56] and This et al. [54] revealed that, a retrotransposon, *Gret1*, is inserted in the 5'-flanking region of its related non-functional *VvmybA1* gene, and this contributes to the function lose of its transcriptional factor in white *V. vinifera* L. grapes. However, their research indicated that, the *Gret1* insertion is missing from the *VvmybA1* genes in red skinned spots of white cultivars, leaving behind a solo long terminal repeat (LTR), which becomes the functional regulatory gene. This means that red and white spots seen in the skins of grape berries are the result of deletion of the inception region of the retrotransposon, *Gret1* [91]. *VvmybA1* factor is regarded to be the major gene determining the synthesis of anthocyanin in the grape skin, thus the red and white color of the berries [55, 92]. In addition, *VvmybA1* and *VvmybA2* genes have also been reported to belong to the *VvmybA* family regulator genes in grapes, and they are also

Muscadines (*Muscadinia rotundifolia* (Michx.) Small.) are native grapes of North America and they are considered the most important cultivated grapevine species in the Southeastern part of the United States. Muscadine grapes are well known for their characteristic flavor and popularity in making juices, jellies, jams, and wine. It is important to note that muscadines are the only grapes that contain ellagic acid, which is known for its anticarcinogenic activity. In recent years, their production has increased significantly because of health promoting effects. They are known to have thick, tough skins that result in relatively low yield in juice, and therefore, 40% to 50% of the berry skins, pulp and seeds have not been traditionally used. The utilization of muscadine cell lines could have an important economic influence on the musca‐ dine industry by expanding the uses of muscadine beyond the traditional jellies, jams, juices, and wines. Our laboratory (Viticulture lab at Florida A&M University) has started to investi‐ gate the feasibility of using *in vitro* red cell cultures [93] to improve human health. These cells were established from super-epidermal cells of muscadinia 'Noble' var [93]. They have been

anthocyanin biosynthesis throughout berry development.

256 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

responsible for the color accumulation of the grape berries [91].

**4. Muscadine grape cells as model system**

Genetic engineering of plants has lots of benefit in the agricultural field [95-97]. It con‐ tributes to an efficient and cost-effective way to produce a wide array of novel, valueadded plant and food products in an environmentally friendly manner. Most scientists including Butelli et al. [98] have highlighted the interest of producing crop plants and their products enriched with health-promoting natural compounds. These compounds in‐ clude anthocyanins and flavonoids, which have become the targets for improving the nu‐ tritional value of foods. This requires an in depth knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites in plants as demonstrated by [98]. Even though there are some plants that contain high levels of an‐ thocyanins such as blueberries, there are some species where the accumulation of secon‐ dary metabolites is not enough. This is why genetic engineering has been used as a strategy to modify flavonoid biosynthesis in order to enhance flower pigmentation in or‐ namentals and fruit plants [99-103]. Genetic engineering has become increasingly impor‐ tant worldwide because it provides significant improvements in the quantity, quality, and acceptability of the world's food supply and may be the best source for food securi‐ ty [5, 104]. Currently there is an increased production of plant-based products with an enhanced antioxidant capacity, which is facilitated by this technology [103]. An example of this approach is in tomato, which is also an important vegetable crop worldwide [98, 105, 106]. Several transgenic approaches have been used to enhance the accumulation of flavonoid levels in grape berries and tomato fruit by overexpressing either the structural or regulatory genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway [87, 107]. Most of these studies have been carried out *in vivo*, however, none of these have been exploited in the cell models. Although a significant increase in the final content of some flavonoids (flavonols in particular) has been achieved [108-111], the production of anthocyanins in cell cultures still needs to be exploited. Commercial application of grape cell cultures for production of anthocyanin-based colorants is being delayed due to the following main problems: 1.) biosynthetic instabilities of grape cell suspensions; 2.) yield and productivity are too low to justify commercial production economically; 2.) the capacity of cultured cells for an‐ thocyanin accumulation is limited; 3.) anthocyanins are exclusively intracellular and the development of two-phase process based on their continuous secretion and recovery from the medium is difficult; 4.) anthocyanins with desirable application properties may not be achieved using conventional cell line selection and process manipulation. Majority of these problems can be overcome using genetic engineering strategies by focusing on the functional genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomic studies. This will give us the ability to select a fast growing cell lines with the ability to produce high yield of target anthocyanin types. Some of the most effective genetic engineering approaches for manip‐ ulation of flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in grape cell suspension are discussed bellow by presenting our experience with Native American muscadine grape cells.

#### **4.2. Modification of the anthocyanin pathway using regulatory genes**

The final assembly of secondary metabolites in plants is determined by the coordinate transcriptional control of structural biosynthetic genes. Based on the information provided in [112], modulation of the rate of initiation of mRNA synthesis depends on the specific tran‐ scription factors, which interact with promoter regions of targeted genes. The regulatory genes that control the pattern and intensity of anthocyanin pigmentations through regulating the expression of several flavonoid-anthocyanin structural genes have been identified in many plants [16, 113-115]. There are two families of transcription factors i.e *MYB* and *MYC* that are involved in tissue-specific regulation of the structural genes found in the anthocyanin biosynthesis [14, 116-118]. It is notable that these transcription factors have a sequence homology from different plant species that shows that they have a common ancestor. In our previous study, an ectopic expression of the *MYB* gene in embryonic cell lines of muscadine grapes confirmed that these regulatory genes can be used for genetic modification of cell cultures in order to increase the final anthocyanin accumulation in cells [119]. However, it is vital to note that the quantity and class of anthocyanin produced might depend on several factors including 1.) How the transcription factor binds to the specific promoter site of the targeted structural gene, 2.) The ability of the endogenous transcription factors to cooperate with the introduced regulators, and 3.) How functional the endogenous transcription factors are [8, 116]. It is important to note that the enhancement of anthocyanin production using genetic engineering was achieved more than a decade a go in model plants such as *Arabidop‐ sis*, tobacco, maize, and tomato [109, 120]. In *Arabidopsis* and tobacco, this was done by introducing the maize regulatory genes R and C1 [121]. The over-expression of the regulatory gene R by itself was able to trigger anthocyanin accumulation in the tissues that originally did not produce anthocyanin in *Arabidopsis* and tobacco [121, 122]. But, when the C1 gene was expressed by itself, there was no pigmentation. In another study carried out by Lloyd et al. [121], the over-expression of CI and LC gene in *Arabidopsis* triggered the accumulation of anthocyanins in tissues that normally do not contain them. The same applies to transgenic cherry tomatoes that showed the accumulation of anthocyanins in the leaves, stems, sepals, and veins, when LC gene was over-expressed [122]. Recently, Deluc et al. [87], isolated *VvMYB5b*, a transcription factor that encodes a protein that belongs to the R2R3-MYB family of transcription factors in *V. vinifera* L. This protein displays significant similarities with *VvMYB5a*, another MYB factor that has been shown to regulate flavonoid synthesis in grape‐ vine [86]. Transient expression of the cDNAs for VvMYB5a and VvMYB5b in grape cells confirmed that they can activate the grapevine promoters of several structural genes of the flavonoid pathway [87]. Deluc et al. [87], also determined that the over-expression of VvMYB5b gene in tobacco lead to an up-regulation of genes encoding enzymes of the flavonoid pathway and also triggered the accumulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin compounds.

In addition to the over-expression of the transcription factors, the suppression or negative regulators of flavonoid biosynthesis have been described [123]. For instance, high pigmented phenotypes (hp-2) in tomato were revealed when Bino et al. [123], mutated the DE-ETIOLAT‐ ED1 gene (DET1). The fruits produced from these mutants are dark, and it is because of the elevated levels of flavonoids and carotenoids. The suppression of the regulatory gene *Det-1* resulted in increased levels of secondary metabolite groups. Further study of the mutants by Davuluri et al. [124], indicated that flavonoid levels were increased up to 3.5 fold, lycopene content was two-fold higher and *b*-carotene levels accumulated up to ten-fold compared to wild type fruits. This is an indication that we can use both over-expression and suppression (RNAi) techniques to improve anthocyanin production in grape cells.

#### **4.3. Modification of the anthocyanin pathway using structural genes**

ability to select a fast growing cell lines with the ability to produce high yield of target anthocyanin types. Some of the most effective genetic engineering approaches for manip‐ ulation of flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in grape cell suspension are discussed bellow

The final assembly of secondary metabolites in plants is determined by the coordinate transcriptional control of structural biosynthetic genes. Based on the information provided in [112], modulation of the rate of initiation of mRNA synthesis depends on the specific tran‐ scription factors, which interact with promoter regions of targeted genes. The regulatory genes that control the pattern and intensity of anthocyanin pigmentations through regulating the expression of several flavonoid-anthocyanin structural genes have been identified in many plants [16, 113-115]. There are two families of transcription factors i.e *MYB* and *MYC* that are involved in tissue-specific regulation of the structural genes found in the anthocyanin biosynthesis [14, 116-118]. It is notable that these transcription factors have a sequence homology from different plant species that shows that they have a common ancestor. In our previous study, an ectopic expression of the *MYB* gene in embryonic cell lines of muscadine grapes confirmed that these regulatory genes can be used for genetic modification of cell cultures in order to increase the final anthocyanin accumulation in cells [119]. However, it is vital to note that the quantity and class of anthocyanin produced might depend on several factors including 1.) How the transcription factor binds to the specific promoter site of the targeted structural gene, 2.) The ability of the endogenous transcription factors to cooperate with the introduced regulators, and 3.) How functional the endogenous transcription factors are [8, 116]. It is important to note that the enhancement of anthocyanin production using genetic engineering was achieved more than a decade a go in model plants such as *Arabidop‐ sis*, tobacco, maize, and tomato [109, 120]. In *Arabidopsis* and tobacco, this was done by introducing the maize regulatory genes R and C1 [121]. The over-expression of the regulatory gene R by itself was able to trigger anthocyanin accumulation in the tissues that originally did not produce anthocyanin in *Arabidopsis* and tobacco [121, 122]. But, when the C1 gene was expressed by itself, there was no pigmentation. In another study carried out by Lloyd et al. [121], the over-expression of CI and LC gene in *Arabidopsis* triggered the accumulation of anthocyanins in tissues that normally do not contain them. The same applies to transgenic cherry tomatoes that showed the accumulation of anthocyanins in the leaves, stems, sepals, and veins, when LC gene was over-expressed [122]. Recently, Deluc et al. [87], isolated *VvMYB5b*, a transcription factor that encodes a protein that belongs to the R2R3-MYB family of transcription factors in *V. vinifera* L. This protein displays significant similarities with *VvMYB5a*, another MYB factor that has been shown to regulate flavonoid synthesis in grape‐ vine [86]. Transient expression of the cDNAs for VvMYB5a and VvMYB5b in grape cells confirmed that they can activate the grapevine promoters of several structural genes of the flavonoid pathway [87]. Deluc et al. [87], also determined that the over-expression of VvMYB5b gene in tobacco lead to an up-regulation of genes encoding enzymes of the flavonoid pathway and also triggered the accumulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin compounds.

by presenting our experience with Native American muscadine grape cells.

**4.2. Modification of the anthocyanin pathway using regulatory genes**

258 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The regulatory gene families MYB and MYC control the structural genes within the grape anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway [87, 107]. But it is important to note that, the way in which the structural genes are regulated in grape berry skins appears to be different from the patterns observed in snapdragon, petunia, and maize [125-127]. There are two ways in which the pattern of gene expression in grape berry skins could be explained in relation to regulatory genes; 1.) early biosynthetic genes, which induces the expression of all of the structural genes except UFGT, and 2.) late biosynthetic genes that results in the induction of expression of all structural genes [1]. Alternatively, two types of regulatory genes may be present, one that controls expression of PAL, CHS, CHI, F3H, DFR and LDOX and another that induces UFGT gene expression [43]. This means that the regulatory gene that controls expression of PAL, CHS, CHI, F3H, DFR, and LDOX is expressed early in berry development. But it is crucial to note that many studies have identified UFGT, as the major control point to anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape berry skins, and this control is later in the pathway than has been observed in the studies of maize, petunia, and snapdragon anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Irrespective of the function of the regulatory genes, ectopic expression of the structural genes can also enhance the accumulation of anthocyanins. A study carried out by Muir et al. [108] determined that an ectopic expression of the Petunia *CHI* gene in tomato fruits increased total flavonoids up to 70-fold in tomato fruit peel. Particular flavonoids increased consisted mainly of the flavonols rutin (quercetin 3-rutinoside) and isoquercetin (quercetin-3-glucoside), and to a smaller but still substantial extent of kaempferol glycosides. In another separate study, Colliver et al. [128] increased the amount of flavonoids in the flesh of tomato fruit by intro‐ ducing a four-gene construct that lead to concomitant ectopic expression of structural genes, *CHS, CHI, F3H* and *FLS* in tomato fruit. This resulted in increased levels of flavonols in both peel (primarily quercetin glycosides) and flesh (primarily kaempferol glycosides) [128]. When expressed separately, none of these four genes was sufficient to lead to flavonol production in fruit flesh. This kind of approach can be replicated in grape cell cultures, by concomitantly over-expressing structural genes such as *DFR* and *LDOX* to enhance the accumulation of anthocyanins. These studies indicate that transgenic approaches can be taken to increase anthocyanin production levels in muscadine grape cell cultures by overexpressing either the structural or regulatory genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway.

#### **4.4. Blocking specific steps in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway using RNAi: control of the flavonoid flux**

Silencing the structural or regulatory genes on the anthocyanin pathway in muscadine requires the following steps: 1) isolation of the endogenous structural or regulatory gene; 2) construc‐ tion of the transformation cassettes using structural or regulatory-gene fragments as trans‐ genes; 3) transformation of transgenic red cells via *Agrobacterium tumefaciens* and regeneration; 4) molecular analyses to identify transgenic muscadine cell lines; 5) Protein analyses of transgenic cells to confirm the suppression of flavonoid-related proteins.

The flow of genetic information dictates that "DNA is transcribed into RNA that is translated into a protein" (Fig 7A). Flavonoid biosynthetic proteins are produced using this concept. To shift the metabolic flux in muscadine grape cells, one can consider either 1) over-expressing the genes on the flavonoid pathway or 2) to knock out the production of the flavonoid proteins. Blocking the production of flavonoid proteins can be done by interfering with the flow of the genetic information. For example, to eliminate the production of the muscadine DFR protein (Fig 7B), we could interfere either at the mRNA transcription level (transcriptional gene silencing [TGS]) or at the post-transcriptional level (PTGS). The advancements made in genetic engineering have led to the possibility of knocking out the production of specific proteins in organisms by downregulating and/or silencing the genes encoding these proteins. Strategies developed to downregulate genes in plants include mutation-based reverse genetics [129], gene targeting [130], antisense RNA [131], cosuppression [95, 132], and RNA interference (RNAi) [133]. Genetic and biochemical evidences suggest that antisense-mediated gene silencing, co-suppression, and RNAi are all inputs into a common RNA silencing pathway triggered by the formation of a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This pathway, called PTGS, is characterized by accumulation of 21 to 25 nucleotides, small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs), sequence-specific degradation of target mRNA, and methylation of target gene sequences [134]. A typical example is demonstrated by Muir et al. [108], where they used RNAi to blocked specific metabolic conversions in the endogenous tomato flavonoid biosynthesis pathway by down-regulating the expression of specific structural flavonoid genes. In another study, Schijlen [135] also used RNAi technique to inhibit tomato *CHS1* gene and this resulted in a strong reduction of total flavonoid levels (naringenin chalcone and quercetin rutinoside). Based on these data, they decided to use an RNAi-mediated gene construct to block the flavonoid pathway leading to flavonols at CHS, F3H and FLS [103]. In all these studies, a clear reduction of flavonols was obtained by introducing an RNAi construct. But it is important to note that when the FLS RNAi-construct was introduced, there was high accumulation of anthocyanins in the vegetative tissues such as stems, leaves, and flower buds as a result of the decreased activity of FLS. Therefore, based on these studies, it is possible that dihydroflavonols as the natural substrates for both FLS and DFR were efficiently converted into anthocyanins [103]. This is because the decrease of FLS activity may have caused less competition between the flavonol and anthocyanin branches in vegetative tissue of FLS RNAi-tomatoes, thereby improving the metabolic flux towards anthocyanin end products. This is a demonstration that RNAi technique can be used to re-direct the metabolic flax in cell cultures to produce more anthocyanins or flavonoids based on the consumer's interest.

Production of Anthocyanins in Grape Cell Cultures: A Potential Source of Raw Material for... http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/54592 261

**4.4. Blocking specific steps in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway using RNAi: control**

Silencing the structural or regulatory genes on the anthocyanin pathway in muscadine requires the following steps: 1) isolation of the endogenous structural or regulatory gene; 2) construc‐ tion of the transformation cassettes using structural or regulatory-gene fragments as trans‐ genes; 3) transformation of transgenic red cells via *Agrobacterium tumefaciens* and regeneration; 4) molecular analyses to identify transgenic muscadine cell lines; 5) Protein analyses of

The flow of genetic information dictates that "DNA is transcribed into RNA that is translated into a protein" (Fig 7A). Flavonoid biosynthetic proteins are produced using this concept. To shift the metabolic flux in muscadine grape cells, one can consider either 1) over-expressing the genes on the flavonoid pathway or 2) to knock out the production of the flavonoid proteins. Blocking the production of flavonoid proteins can be done by interfering with the flow of the genetic information. For example, to eliminate the production of the muscadine DFR protein (Fig 7B), we could interfere either at the mRNA transcription level (transcriptional gene silencing [TGS]) or at the post-transcriptional level (PTGS). The advancements made in genetic engineering have led to the possibility of knocking out the production of specific proteins in organisms by downregulating and/or silencing the genes encoding these proteins. Strategies developed to downregulate genes in plants include mutation-based reverse genetics [129], gene targeting [130], antisense RNA [131], cosuppression [95, 132], and RNA interference (RNAi) [133]. Genetic and biochemical evidences suggest that antisense-mediated gene silencing, co-suppression, and RNAi are all inputs into a common RNA silencing pathway triggered by the formation of a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This pathway, called PTGS, is characterized by accumulation of 21 to 25 nucleotides, small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs), sequence-specific degradation of target mRNA, and methylation of target gene sequences [134]. A typical example is demonstrated by Muir et al. [108], where they used RNAi to blocked specific metabolic conversions in the endogenous tomato flavonoid biosynthesis pathway by down-regulating the expression of specific structural flavonoid genes. In another study, Schijlen [135] also used RNAi technique to inhibit tomato *CHS1* gene and this resulted in a strong reduction of total flavonoid levels (naringenin chalcone and quercetin rutinoside). Based on these data, they decided to use an RNAi-mediated gene construct to block the flavonoid pathway leading to flavonols at CHS, F3H and FLS [103]. In all these studies, a clear reduction of flavonols was obtained by introducing an RNAi construct. But it is important to note that when the FLS RNAi-construct was introduced, there was high accumulation of anthocyanins in the vegetative tissues such as stems, leaves, and flower buds as a result of the decreased activity of FLS. Therefore, based on these studies, it is possible that dihydroflavonols as the natural substrates for both FLS and DFR were efficiently converted into anthocyanins [103]. This is because the decrease of FLS activity may have caused less competition between the flavonol and anthocyanin branches in vegetative tissue of FLS RNAi-tomatoes, thereby improving the metabolic flux towards anthocyanin end products. This is a demonstration that RNAi technique can be used to re-direct the metabolic flax in cell cultures to produce more

transgenic cells to confirm the suppression of flavonoid-related proteins.

anthocyanins or flavonoids based on the consumer's interest.

**of the flavonoid flux**

260 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**Figure 7.** Schematic representation describing the flow of genetic information. **A,** The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology: *dfr* gene is transcribed into a messenger RNA, which is translated into a DFR protein. **B,** Schematic representa‐ tion highlighting key steps in silencing structural or regulatory genes based on the RNAi model using DFR as an exam‐ ple. dsRNA—double-stranded RNA; RNAi—RNA inteference; RISC—RNA-interfering silencing complex; RNase ribonuclease. Post-transcriptional gene silencing is initiated by dsRNA molecules that mediate the degradation of ho‐ mologous transcripts. **B** gives a schematic representation of the molecular process that would be involved in the deg‐ radation of mRNA transcripts from muscadine *DFR* genes, based on the PTGS model. A fragment of the *DFR* gene is amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into a transformation vector. This vector is a DNA vehicle, which transfers the *DFR* gene fragment (called transgene) into muscadine grape cells following *Agrobacterium-*medi‐ ated transformation. The transgene integrates into the endogenous DNA of muscadine cells for expression. Tran‐ scripts from the transgene initiate long dsRNA molecules, which would be processed into small 21 to 25 nucleotides (siRNAs) by an endogenous RNAIII enzyme called "Dicer" [136]. These siRNAs would guide the RNA-interfering silenc‐ ing complex (RISC), which contains the proteins necessary for unwinding the double-stranded siRNAs, and cleave the endogeneous *DFR* mRNAs at the site where the antisense RNAs are bound [137]. Sources of dsRNA formation from *DFR* transgene transcripts include: 1) pairing of transcripts transcribed from an inverted repeat (IR) transgene; 2) pair‐ ing of the normal sense RNAs and antisense RNAs (asRNA) arising from aberrant transcription of the transgene; 3) pairing of complementary regions of RNA degradation products; and 4) pairing of transcripts with antisense RNA (asR‐ NA) produced by RNAdirected RNA polymerase (RdRP) [138, 139].

#### **5. Key concepts for enhancing anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape cell lines**

Grape cell suspension cultures have been extensively studied as an model for elucidation of anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, for performing functional genetic studies, somatic embryo development and most importantly as an alternative source of natural colorants [1, 69, 140-142]. Cultivation of plant cells in controlled conditions offers advantages of continuous supply of high quality anthocyanin pigments. However, scientists have tried for over 40 years to produce anthocyanins in different cell systems, but until now, no commercially feasible anthocyanin producing system has been developed. Switching the production of natural pigments from the traditional approach (involving implementation of numerous agricultural activities) to modern industrial biotech factories is not an easy task. But it is obvious that for the successful realization of such biotechnological advances, research on both empirical and rational levels have to be performed [143]. To succeed in such challenges, we propose to follow a simple integrated approach based on consecutive conduction of various multidisciplinary experiments, optimization and monitoring procedures (Figure 8). As we already discussed some of the rational approaches for manipulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis on genetic level, in the next few pages, the basic principles of empirical studies are highlighted and the current progress on them has been reviewed.

**Figure 8.** Basic concepts for the development of biotechnological system for anthocyanins production based on grape cell suspension culture. The key steps in bioprocess engineering and optimization of anthocyanins production, involv‐ ing application of both empirical and rational approaches are presented on each technological stage.

#### **5.1. Cell line development and improvement**

development and most importantly as an alternative source of natural colorants [1, 69, 140-142]. Cultivation of plant cells in controlled conditions offers advantages of continuous supply of high quality anthocyanin pigments. However, scientists have tried for over 40 years to produce anthocyanins in different cell systems, but until now, no commercially feasible anthocyanin producing system has been developed. Switching the production of natural pigments from the traditional approach (involving implementation of numerous agricultural activities) to modern industrial biotech factories is not an easy task. But it is obvious that for the successful realization of such biotechnological advances, research on both empirical and rational levels have to be performed [143]. To succeed in such challenges, we propose to follow a simple integrated approach based on consecutive conduction of various multidisciplinary experiments, optimization and monitoring procedures (Figure 8). As we already discussed some of the rational approaches for manipulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis on genetic level, in the next few pages, the basic principles of empirical studies are highlighted and the current

**Figure 8.** Basic concepts for the development of biotechnological system for anthocyanins production based on grape cell suspension culture. The key steps in bioprocess engineering and optimization of anthocyanins production, involv‐

ing application of both empirical and rational approaches are presented on each technological stage.

progress on them has been reviewed.

262 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The first step for creation of biotechnology process for anthocyanins production is the develop‐ ment and selection of high producing cell line. To facilitate this process several important pre‐ liminary questions needs to be answered. The most important is the right choice of plant species (respectively, the appropriate cultivar) having the necessary anthocyanins profile in both quan‐ tity and quality aspects. Recently Lazar and Petolescu [144], generated cell suspension cultures of six grapevine varieties (Burgund Mare, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Oporto, Negru Tincto‐ rial and Pinot Noir). They cultivated them in a laboratory bioreactor and demonstrated that the growth rates and biosynthetic potential for anthocyanins production were in strong depend‐ ence of cultivar used for culture initiation [144]. Currently, most of the research on grape cell suspensions have been performed with cell lines derived from two sources – *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Ga‐ may Fréaux and *Vitis* hybrid Bailey Alicant A (*V. lincocumii* x *V. labrusca* x *V. vinifera*) x (*V. vinifera* x *V. vinifera*) [1, 48]. Both of them are teinturier cultivars which usually produce malvidin-deriv‐ atives in berry skin and peonidin-derivatives in the pulp [145]. Cell suspension cultures of *V. vinifera* L. *cv*. Cabernet Sauvignon (CS4 and CS6) were also reported [146]. In our laboratory we have patented anthocyanin producing cell suspension cultures of *Muscadinia* spp. and *V. aesti‐ valis* var. Cynthiana, which produces mainly anthocyanidin-3,5-*O*-diglucosides [93].

After the choice of targeted variety, the critical step is the selection of appropriate explants, which are used for callus initiation. The type and the age of explants, as well as the environmen‐ tal conditions at which they are collected are critical factors for successful initiation of *in vitro* cultures [147]. Sterilization procedure, applied to the explants should be as gentle as possible and the necrotic ends of the sterilized cuttings must be removed to avoid the secretion of phe‐ nolic compounds into the induction medium. In some cases, the addition of activated charcoal or antioxidant mixture into the culture medium is necessary [147]. Two-phase cultivation sys‐ tems with adsorbent resin like Amberlite XAD4, which have been recently applied in shoot re‐ generation and hairy root induction, could be also a prospective alternative for reducing explants browning [148, 149]. One of the most typical characteristic of grapevine callus cultures is their high heterogeneity concerning coloration. The obtained calli usually exist as a mixture of colorless, yellow and red clusters [1, 142, 150]. Therefore, the repeated selection and subcultiva‐ tion of different-colored clusters can be applied for screening of new high producing lines [142, 146, 150, 151]. As a result of such selection procedure, significant changes in anthocyanin pro‐ files of isolated lines could be observed [142, 146]. Usually those changes lead to the elevation of the 3'-methylated and acylated anthocyanins in grape cell suspension cultures and therefore greatly improve the quality of overall pigments with regards to their color stability [72, 142, 152]. As an example, in cell suspension of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux, the major anthocya‐ nins were found to be cyanidin-3-*O*-glucoside **7**, peonidin-3-*O*-glucoside and cyanidin-3-*O*-*p*coumarylglucoside **9** [153]. By repeated selection of colored aggregates from the same culture, Krisa and colleagues obtained a line, which produce remarkably high level of malvidin-3-*O*glucoside (63% of total anthocyanin content) [146]. However, in analog with callus culture, the grape cell suspensions usually consist of a mixture of uncolored cells and red colored anthocya‐ nin producing cells [51, 142, 150, 151]. Moreover, the colorless cell fraction often has a high growth rate compared to the red fraction and this is the main factor that contributes to instabili‐ ty of the supensions as regards anthocyanin production [150, 154]. With time, anthocyanin pro‐ ducing grape cell suspensions could significantly decrease their ability to produce anthocyanins and often the yields, obtained by the cultivation at equal conditions in the same cultivation vessels are unpredictable [142]. The other complication is due to the existence of strong correlation between cell differentiation, anthocyanin accumulation and cell growth [1]. Anthocyanins are produced only in cells that undergo some level of differentiation (growing as small aggregates), whereas the fast growing, undifferentiated fraction of cells (growing as sin‐ gle cells) does not produce the pigments [1, 155]. It was found that the fraction of aggregates larger than 0.6 mm accumulates high amounts of anthocyanins, whereas with the reduction of aggregate size to 0.2 mm the concentration of produced anthocyanins decreases with 50 % [155]. To control the ratios between non-pigmented and pigmented cells, as well as between aggregat‐ ed and single cells, the period of sub-culturing and the size and age of used inoculums should be precisely adjusted [1, 150]. Optimization of the parameters for the inoculums has often been un‐ derestimated by researchers, working with plant cells. However, the establishment of right pa‐ rameters for the inoculum has been found to have significant impact on growth and secondary metabolite production by different plant cell suspensions and hairy root cultures [3, 7, 156, 157]. The size of inoculum could significantly shorten the lag phase of grape cell suspension, as well as to affect the culture response to different changes in nutrient composition [158]. In our labora‐ tory, we investigated the effect of different inoculum sizes on growth of anthocyanin producing *M. rotundifolia* var. "Noble" cell suspension cultures (Figure 9). The experiment was performed in submerged flasks by using 9, 15, 20 and 30 % (v/v) inoculum of 14 days old cell suspension. The maximum amount of accumulated fresh biomass (78.7±1.7 g FW/L) was achieved when 20 % of the inoculum was used. At these conditions, the amount of accumulated fresh biomass was 3.18-fold higher, compared to the experiment at which 9% of the inoculum was used, without observing any decrease in anthocyanin production (unpublished data).

**Figure 9.** Effects of the inoculum sizes (14 days old culture) on accumulated fresh weight (AFW) and packed cell volume (PCV) by *M. rotundifolia* var. "Noble" cell suspension culture cultivated in shaking flasks (250 ml/50 mL) for 18 days. The pre‐ sented values are means with standard deviations of two independent experiments repeated twice (n=4).

However, the non-homogenous growth of grape cell suspensions could be a serious issue for large-scale cultivation of these in *vitro* cultures because of the complicated mass transfer in bioreactor systems. It has been observed that grape callus culture can undergo dramatic changes in their anthocyanin profiles, because of their high heterogeneity and somaclonal variability. To prevent those negative effects, a periodical implementation of deep phyto‐ chemical, genetic and metabolomic analyses are requires. This will retain acceptably high biosynthetic potential in selected lines during their maintenance.

#### **5.2. Medium optimization**

ty of the supensions as regards anthocyanin production [150, 154]. With time, anthocyanin pro‐ ducing grape cell suspensions could significantly decrease their ability to produce anthocyanins and often the yields, obtained by the cultivation at equal conditions in the same cultivation vessels are unpredictable [142]. The other complication is due to the existence of strong correlation between cell differentiation, anthocyanin accumulation and cell growth [1]. Anthocyanins are produced only in cells that undergo some level of differentiation (growing as small aggregates), whereas the fast growing, undifferentiated fraction of cells (growing as sin‐ gle cells) does not produce the pigments [1, 155]. It was found that the fraction of aggregates larger than 0.6 mm accumulates high amounts of anthocyanins, whereas with the reduction of aggregate size to 0.2 mm the concentration of produced anthocyanins decreases with 50 % [155]. To control the ratios between non-pigmented and pigmented cells, as well as between aggregat‐ ed and single cells, the period of sub-culturing and the size and age of used inoculums should be precisely adjusted [1, 150]. Optimization of the parameters for the inoculums has often been un‐ derestimated by researchers, working with plant cells. However, the establishment of right pa‐ rameters for the inoculum has been found to have significant impact on growth and secondary metabolite production by different plant cell suspensions and hairy root cultures [3, 7, 156, 157]. The size of inoculum could significantly shorten the lag phase of grape cell suspension, as well as to affect the culture response to different changes in nutrient composition [158]. In our labora‐ tory, we investigated the effect of different inoculum sizes on growth of anthocyanin producing *M. rotundifolia* var. "Noble" cell suspension cultures (Figure 9). The experiment was performed in submerged flasks by using 9, 15, 20 and 30 % (v/v) inoculum of 14 days old cell suspension. The maximum amount of accumulated fresh biomass (78.7±1.7 g FW/L) was achieved when 20 % of the inoculum was used. At these conditions, the amount of accumulated fresh biomass was 3.18-fold higher, compared to the experiment at which 9% of the inoculum was used, without

observing any decrease in anthocyanin production (unpublished data).

AFW, g/L PCV, %

0

20

40

60

80

100

264 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Inoculum, % (v/v)

**Figure 9.** Effects of the inoculum sizes (14 days old culture) on accumulated fresh weight (AFW) and packed cell volume (PCV) by *M. rotundifolia* var. "Noble" cell suspension culture cultivated in shaking flasks (250 ml/50 mL) for 18 days. The pre‐

sented values are means with standard deviations of two independent experiments repeated twice (n=4).

9% 15% 20% 30%

The optimal balance of nutrients in cultivation medium has been found to be an essential factor, determining the success on *in vitro* cultivation of plant cells and tissues. Plant cell suspensions are exceptionally sensitive to concentration of macronutrients, microelements, growth regulators, nitrogen and carbon sources. Even insignificant changes in composition of cultivation medium could promote the appearance of significant changes in cell morphology, growth and secondary metabolite profiles. For example, transferring of anthocyanin produc‐ ing cell suspension of *M. rotundifolia* var. "Noble" from the original B5 medium into LS medium completely change the color pattern from red to yellow and the cell growth pattern from small colored aggregates to single colorless cells (Figure 10) (unpublished data).

**Figure 10.** Cell suspension of *M. rotundifolia* var. "Noble" cultivated in shaking flasks on: A - B5 medium; B – LS medium.

As the grape cell suspensions exist as mixture of colored and colorless cells, the optimal cultivation medium should be developed by the way to provide a right balance between the growth rates of both cell populations [1, 142]. Finding the right nutrients balance is of‐ ten a complicated task mainly because of the observation that the colorless population usu‐ ally has better growth characteristics and the colored cells showed slow growth [1, 142, 150]. Dedaldechamp and Uhel [154] isolated a cell line from colorless cells of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux and demonstrated that under reduction of cell division by phosphate de‐ ficiency, the anthocyanin production was reactivated in colorless cells [154]. Removing of phosphate ions from the medium leads to significant decrease of cell growth but remarka‐ bly increase anthocyanin production due to the increasing transcript levels of *UFGT* and *VvmybA1* genes [159]. Reduction of nitrate ions in the cultivation medium to a critical level was also found to enhance the anthocyanin production in cell suspension of *Vitis* hybrid Bailey Alicant A [160]. Increased osmotic pressure in medium, caused either by the in‐ creased sugar concentrations or by the addition of osmotic-active compounds as D-manitol, sorbitol, poliol or carboxymethyl cellulose has been found to play a critical role for antho‐ cyanin production by different grape cell suspension cultures [155, 160-163]. Because of the significant differences in nutrient media compositions required to provide optimal cell growth and that to activate anthocyanin production, most of the authors used two-stage cultivation involving usage of "maintenance" medium, following by next transfer on "pro‐ duction" medium [1, 142, 146, 150, 160]. The maintenance medium provides rapid growth of the grape cell culture but the lines often lost their colors. When transferred on produc‐ tion medium, the growth was usually almost completely inhibited, but the anthocyanin ac‐ cumulation was significantly enhanced. The production medium usually differs from the maintenance medium by the increased sugar concentration, decreased phosphate and ni‐ trate concentrations, supplement of osmotic-active compounds, growth regulator composi‐ tions etc. [1, 142, 150, 146, 160]. However, it is obviously that the commercial realization of such two-stage based cultivation process is accompanied with numerous complications from technological point of view. In fact, this is one of the main reasons for the lack of in‐ dustrial process for anthocyanins production by grape cell suspensions.

#### **5.3. Effect of the pH**

Since the pH is an important factor for anthocyanin stability and activities of enzyme sys‐ tems in plant cells, its value in the cultivation medium is critically important for the regula‐ tion of both pigments and biomass yields. Recently, the effect of pH in culture medium was investigated on callus cultures of three grapevine varieties (Coarnă neagră, Fetească neagră and Cadarcă) [164]. The authors observed that the largest amount of accumulated anthocyanins (13.5 mg/g FW) were registered in callus culture of Fetească neagră, cultivat‐ ed on the medium with the pH=4.5. When cultivated on medium with pH=9.0, the antho‐ cyanin production by the same culture was significantly decreased (up to 3.2 mg/g FW) [164]. Suzuki and colleagues [162], investigated the growth and production of anthocyanin in grape cell suspension from *Vitis* hybrid Bailey Alicant A cultivated on media with differ‐ ent pH (4.5, 5.5, 7.0 and 7.5) [162]. The authors found that the best growth and pigment production were recorded when cultivation was done on medium with the pH=4.5. In con‐ trary to that, when cultivated on medium with pH=7.0 the cell growth and the anthocyanin production were almost completely inhibited. Moreover, the percentage of pigmented cells were significantly decreased with the increase of pH (from 50% at pH=4.5 to 4% at pH=7.5) [162]. Because the pH value of culture medium during plant cell cultivation processes cor‐ relates with the metabolism of nitrogen sources, it is important to render an account of this factor during creation of experimental matrices for optimization procedures of nutrient me‐ dium composition (especially ammonia/nitrate ratio).

#### **5.4. Effect of temperature**

ficiency, the anthocyanin production was reactivated in colorless cells [154]. Removing of phosphate ions from the medium leads to significant decrease of cell growth but remarka‐ bly increase anthocyanin production due to the increasing transcript levels of *UFGT* and *VvmybA1* genes [159]. Reduction of nitrate ions in the cultivation medium to a critical level was also found to enhance the anthocyanin production in cell suspension of *Vitis* hybrid Bailey Alicant A [160]. Increased osmotic pressure in medium, caused either by the in‐ creased sugar concentrations or by the addition of osmotic-active compounds as D-manitol, sorbitol, poliol or carboxymethyl cellulose has been found to play a critical role for antho‐ cyanin production by different grape cell suspension cultures [155, 160-163]. Because of the significant differences in nutrient media compositions required to provide optimal cell growth and that to activate anthocyanin production, most of the authors used two-stage cultivation involving usage of "maintenance" medium, following by next transfer on "pro‐ duction" medium [1, 142, 146, 150, 160]. The maintenance medium provides rapid growth of the grape cell culture but the lines often lost their colors. When transferred on produc‐ tion medium, the growth was usually almost completely inhibited, but the anthocyanin ac‐ cumulation was significantly enhanced. The production medium usually differs from the maintenance medium by the increased sugar concentration, decreased phosphate and ni‐ trate concentrations, supplement of osmotic-active compounds, growth regulator composi‐ tions etc. [1, 142, 150, 146, 160]. However, it is obviously that the commercial realization of such two-stage based cultivation process is accompanied with numerous complications from technological point of view. In fact, this is one of the main reasons for the lack of in‐

dustrial process for anthocyanins production by grape cell suspensions.

dium composition (especially ammonia/nitrate ratio).

Since the pH is an important factor for anthocyanin stability and activities of enzyme sys‐ tems in plant cells, its value in the cultivation medium is critically important for the regula‐ tion of both pigments and biomass yields. Recently, the effect of pH in culture medium was investigated on callus cultures of three grapevine varieties (Coarnă neagră, Fetească neagră and Cadarcă) [164]. The authors observed that the largest amount of accumulated anthocyanins (13.5 mg/g FW) were registered in callus culture of Fetească neagră, cultivat‐ ed on the medium with the pH=4.5. When cultivated on medium with pH=9.0, the antho‐ cyanin production by the same culture was significantly decreased (up to 3.2 mg/g FW) [164]. Suzuki and colleagues [162], investigated the growth and production of anthocyanin in grape cell suspension from *Vitis* hybrid Bailey Alicant A cultivated on media with differ‐ ent pH (4.5, 5.5, 7.0 and 7.5) [162]. The authors found that the best growth and pigment production were recorded when cultivation was done on medium with the pH=4.5. In con‐ trary to that, when cultivated on medium with pH=7.0 the cell growth and the anthocyanin production were almost completely inhibited. Moreover, the percentage of pigmented cells were significantly decreased with the increase of pH (from 50% at pH=4.5 to 4% at pH=7.5) [162]. Because the pH value of culture medium during plant cell cultivation processes cor‐ relates with the metabolism of nitrogen sources, it is important to render an account of this factor during creation of experimental matrices for optimization procedures of nutrient me‐

**5.3. Effect of the pH**

266 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

Temperature has a strong effect on anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, since some cold regulation genes are involved on it [165, 166]. Anthocyanin accumulation in berry skins of "Aki Queen" (*V. labrusca* x *V. vinifera*) after temperature treatment during ripening was significantly higher at 20 °C compared to that at 30 °C [167]. Similar effect was re‐ ported for berries of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Cabernet Sauvignon, where the anthocyanins con‐ centration was reduced more than 50 % with the increase of cultivation temperature from 25 °C to 35 °C [168]. The authors suggest that the observed decrease in anthocya‐ nin concentration under high temperature was as a result of both anthocyanin degrada‐ tion and inhibition of mRNA transcription of the anthocyanin biosynthetic genes [168]. Recently, a qRT-PCR analysis have been carried out to compare the expression levels of MYB-related transcription factor genes in the berry skins of "Pione" (*V. vinifera* x *V. lab‐ ruscana*) during temperature and light treatments [169]. The authors demonstrated that both low temperature and light irradiation were needed to induce the expression of *V1mybA1-3* (gene, encoding MYB-related transcription factors that regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway genes), whereas the expression of *Myb4* (the repressor of UFGT) was up-regulated only by high temperature, independently of the light levels [169]. However, in optimization procedures for anthocyanin production by grape cell suspen‐ sion cultures, the influence of temperature was underestimated. The new data, discover‐ ing the importance of those critical parameters in regulation of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways outline the necessity for conduction of more experiments concerning optimiza‐ tion of temperature during cultivation of grape cell suspensions.

#### **5.5. Light**

Light is an important controlling agent in anthocyanin biosynthesis [166]. Light has been found to induce the expression of genes, responsible for activation of the promoters of the flavonoid pathway genes (*MybpA1*), but it has no effect on expression of repressor of UFGT (*Myb4*) in grape berries of vine 'Pione' (*V. vinifera* x *V. labruscana*) [169]. Recently it was demonstrated that UV-A light significantly stimulate the expression of structural genes, encoding the entry enzymes of the shikimate pathway, whereas only the UV-B and UV-C irradiation triggers the production of various anthocyanins in grape berries of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Cabernet Sauvignon [170]. Illumination of grape callus and cell suspension cultures is of great importance for expression of their anthocyanin producing potential. In our laboratory, we investigated the influence of light on anthocyanin production in callus culture of *M. rotundifolia* var. "Noble" (Figure 11). The red colored line was selected by 3 months repeated selection of dark red colored clusters, grown under illumination (16 h light : 8 dark). When the red colored line was transferred for cultivation in darkness, the culture completely lost its color for one subcultivation cycle (31 days). The obtained colorless culture was supported on darkness for 3 more sub-cultivation cycles and then transferred back under illumination (16 h light: 8 dark). Fourteen days after the light treatments began, the culture started to form red colored clusters and the total anthocyanin concentration reached the original levels, detected in initial red colored lines after 31 days of light exposure (unpublished data).

**Figure 11.** Anthocyanin accumulation in callus culture of *M. rotundifolia* var. "Noble": A - under illumination (16 h light : 8 dark); B – on darkness; C – roll-back under illumination (16 h light : 8 dark) of the culture, cultivated on dark‐ ness. The presented pictures are on the 14 days old cultures.

Lazar and colleagues investigated the effect of light on anthocyanin accumulation by callus cultures from six grapevine varieties (Burgund Mare, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Oporto, Negru Tinctorial and Pinot Noir) [171]. They found that the light has a stimulating effect on anthocyanin production in all calli studied, but the amount of accumulated pigments was in strong correlation with the genotype of variety used for callus initiation [171]. In grape cell suspension of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux, treatment with light leads to additional increase of peonidin-3-*O*-glucoside with 0.6 mg/g DW [172]. The same group reported that the contin‐ uous light irradiation (8000–8300 LUX) can contribute up to 4.8-fold increase in anthocyanin accumulation compared to no illuminated control [173]. Combined treatment with light and elicitor (jasmonic acid) additionally increased anthocyanins production (13.9-fold compared to non-treated control) [173]. It is obvious that the light requirements of grape cell suspension cultures can cause a serious complication during the scale up of cultivation process. Cormier and colleagues reported the isolation of red colored clusters growing on darkness, but the line has been very unstable and easily changed to variegated culture [142]. However the authors succeeded to obtain stable anthocyanin producing cell line in suspension culture but the production of pigments was relatively low (1.32 mg/g FW) [142]. Therefore, much effort is needed to initiate light-independent high anthocyanin producing cell lines, which will greatly facilitate the transfer of the process to large-scale bioreactors.

#### **5.6. Effect of growth regulators**

Availability of growth regulators (auxins and cytokinins) in cultivation medium are essential for ensuring the growth and to determine the levels of produced secondary metabolite by *in vitro* cultivated plant cells. In the case of anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape cell suspension, the composition of growth regulators in the medium can be of great importance for the production pigments [1]. Hirasuna and colleagues [160], tested the effects of different auxins (IAA, NAA, IBA and 2,4-D) and cytokinins (Kinetin and BAP) on anthocyanin biosynthesis by *Vitis* hybrid Bailey Alicant A cell suspension, cultivated on specially composed production medium [160]. The authors found that the synthetic auxin 2,4-D has stimulating effect on anthocyanin biosynthesis over a wide range of concentrations, whereas the addition of cytokinins even in low concentrations completely inhibit the pigments production. However, the effects of growth regulators are unpredictable and should be evaluated experimentally for every individual cell line. As an example, Krisa and colleagues [146], reported that for cell suspension of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux, the addition of NAA as auxin leads to better anthocyanin accumulation compared to when 2,4-D was used [146]. Moreover, their suspen‐ sion culture requires the addition of cytokinin, Kinetin for ensuring the culture growth and production of pigments. The change of Kinetin with BAP results to inhibition of anthocyanin production [146]. Recently, Gagne and colleagues demonstrated that abscisic acid (ABA) promotes anthocyanin production in grape cell culture of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Cabernet Sauvignon (CS6) by the expression of some genes in the upstream part of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway [174].

#### **5.7. Effect of elicitors and precursors**

**Figure 11.** Anthocyanin accumulation in callus culture of *M. rotundifolia* var. "Noble": A - under illumination (16 h light : 8 dark); B – on darkness; C – roll-back under illumination (16 h light : 8 dark) of the culture, cultivated on dark‐

Lazar and colleagues investigated the effect of light on anthocyanin accumulation by callus cultures from six grapevine varieties (Burgund Mare, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Oporto, Negru Tinctorial and Pinot Noir) [171]. They found that the light has a stimulating effect on anthocyanin production in all calli studied, but the amount of accumulated pigments was in strong correlation with the genotype of variety used for callus initiation [171]. In grape cell suspension of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux, treatment with light leads to additional increase of peonidin-3-*O*-glucoside with 0.6 mg/g DW [172]. The same group reported that the contin‐ uous light irradiation (8000–8300 LUX) can contribute up to 4.8-fold increase in anthocyanin accumulation compared to no illuminated control [173]. Combined treatment with light and elicitor (jasmonic acid) additionally increased anthocyanins production (13.9-fold compared to non-treated control) [173]. It is obvious that the light requirements of grape cell suspension cultures can cause a serious complication during the scale up of cultivation process. Cormier and colleagues reported the isolation of red colored clusters growing on darkness, but the line has been very unstable and easily changed to variegated culture [142]. However the authors succeeded to obtain stable anthocyanin producing cell line in suspension culture but the production of pigments was relatively low (1.32 mg/g FW) [142]. Therefore, much effort is needed to initiate light-independent high anthocyanin producing cell lines, which will greatly

Availability of growth regulators (auxins and cytokinins) in cultivation medium are essential for ensuring the growth and to determine the levels of produced secondary metabolite by *in vitro* cultivated plant cells. In the case of anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape cell suspension, the composition of growth regulators in the medium can be of great importance for the production pigments [1]. Hirasuna and colleagues [160], tested the effects of different auxins (IAA, NAA, IBA and 2,4-D) and cytokinins (Kinetin and BAP) on anthocyanin biosynthesis by *Vitis* hybrid Bailey Alicant A cell suspension, cultivated on specially composed production

ness. The presented pictures are on the 14 days old cultures.

268 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

facilitate the transfer of the process to large-scale bioreactors.

**5.6. Effect of growth regulators**

Application of different (biotic or abiotic) elicitors has been proved to be an effective strategy for enhancement of the production of secondary metabolites related to the plant defense system [175]. Anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway as a part of phenylpropanoid metabolism of plant cells could be significantly manipulated by application of different elicitors or feeding with specific precursors. Treatment of cell suspension culture of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux with a combination of phenylalanine as a precursor and methyl jasmonate as an elicitor resulted in a 3.4-fold increase in anthocyanin yield compared to the control [151]. Cell suspension culture of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux was recently used as a model system for evaluating the effects of different chemical (streptomycin, activated charcoal, ethephon, indanoyl-isoleucine and N-linolenoyl-l-glutamine), biotic (insect saliva, chitosan, pectin, alginate, yeast extract and gum arabic) and physical (hydrostatic pressure and pulsed electric field) elicitors on anthocyanin biosynthesis [176-180]. It was found that the combined treatment of samples with pulsed electric field and ethephon, lead to a 2.5-fold increase in anthocyanin content, whereas the combination of hydrostatic pressure and ethephon does not alter anthocyanin production, but increases the other flavonoids [176, 177, 180]. The application of indanoyl-isoleucine enhanced the anthocyanin production with 2.6-fold, whereas the insect saliva stimulated the production of phenolic acids [178]. In contrast to insect saliva, the other investigated biotic elicitors (chitosan, pectin, and alginate) had a significant effect on antho‐ cyanin production (resulted on 2.5-fold, 2.5-fold, and 2.6-fold increase compared to control, respectively) [179]. The most widely used elicitors are methyl jasmonate and jasmonic acids, which seems to have better beneficial effects on accumulation of phenolic acids and stilbenes than the accumulation of anthocyanins [181, 182]. However, jasmonic acid was found to increase preferably the level of peonidin-3-*O*-glucoside (from 0.3 to 1.7 mg/g DW) and the relative share of acylated anthocyanins (from 32% to 45%) in cell suspension of of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux, whereas the concentrations of the other major anthocyanins were insignificantly increased [172]. The effect of jasmonic acid was significantly increased when combined treatment with light irradiation was applied [172]. Magnesium treatment of cell suspension of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Red was found to increase the anthocyanin concentration by inhibiting the degradation of pigments but not by promoting induction of biosyntheticrelated genes [183].

#### **6. Commercialization and applications of grape cell products**

The increased demand of natural colorants and nutraceuticals determines the needs for development of alternative technologies for supply of such additives. The anthocyanins, produced by grape cell suspensions, represent a very attractive class of natural compounds, which could find application in food industry (as colorants), pharmacy (as nutraceuticals and therapeutic compounds) and in cosmetics (as UV protectors, antioxidant and anti cancer compounds). Biotechnological production of grape anthocyanins presents significant eco‐ nomical benefits. Cormier and colleagues calculated that the cost of 1 kg anthocyanins, produced by two-stage cultivation process of grape cell suspension in bioreactor with working volume of 155,000 L can cost almost the half of the price of such amount of anthocyanins, produced by the extraction of grape skins (\$ 931 per 1 kg of anthocyanins from grape cell suspension, compared to \$ 2,083 per 1 kg of anthocyanins, produced by grape skin extraction) [142]. However, the specific requirements of the available grape cell suspensions significantly complicate the scale up of the cultivation process, which is the serious restriction for realization of such biotechnological process.

#### **6.1. Pharmaceutical applications**

Anthocyanins have great potential for application in pharmaceutical products both as nutra‐ ceuticals and as therapeutic compounds. Frequent ingestion of anthocyanins could provide various health benefits including reduced risk of coronary heart diseases, anti-carcinogenic ac‐ tivity, antioxidant activity, reduced risk of stroke, anti-inflammatory effects etc. [13, 34, 184-186]. Biological activities of anthocyanin pigments have been already discussed in several excellent reviews [184, 187, 188]. Their pharmaceutical value has been additionally increased due to their high bioavailability. However, the administration and metabolism of anthocyanins *in vivo* have been investigated in details mostly in rats, whereas the detailed studies on humans still are scantly presented in scientific literature [60, 189]. For better understanding and investi‐ gation of anthocyanins absorption and *in vivo* metabolism in human and animal bodies, grape cell suspension culture of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux, was adapted to produce 13C-labeled anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-*O*-glucoside, cyanidin-3-*O*-glucoside **7**, petunidin-3-*O*-gluco‐ side, peonidin-3-*O*-glucoside and malvidin-3-*O*-glucoside) [190]. Development of reliable sources of isotopically labelled anthocyanins could have remarkable impact on advancement in diagnostic of metabolomic assimilation studies of these compounds *in vivo*.

#### **6.2. Food industry**

The world market of natural food colorants expands with the annual growth rate of 4-6% [142]. In USA 4 of the 26 colorants approved by the food administration, that are exempt from certification, are based on anthocyanin pigments [34]. In European Union, all anthocyanincontaining colorants are classified as natural colorants under the classification E163 [191]. Currently most of the worldwide anthocyanins supply comes from processing of grape pomace, which is a waste product from winemaking. But in European Union other plant sources such as red cabbage, elderberry, black currant, purple carrot, sweet potato, and red radish are also allowed [192]. Anthocyanins, produced by grape cell suspensions can be a promising alternative supply of natural colorants. It has already been demonstrated that the produced pigments by the grape cell suspensions undergo significant structural modifications. Grape cell suspensions accumulates higher levels of metabolically more evolved structures (methylated and acylated anthocyanins). Acylated anthocyanins are suitable for application in food products, mainly because of the improved color stability compared to non-acylated structures [72]. Moreover, the grape cell suspensions can also produce elevated levels of beneficial phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, stilbenes, phenolics, etc., which are capable of increasing the added value of the final additive. The overall metabolite profile of grape cells in combination with the lack of microbial and toxic contaminations will give the potential for development of new types of food additives if the entire cell suspension biomass are utilized.

#### **6.3. Cosmetic industry**

by inhibiting the degradation of pigments but not by promoting induction of biosynthetic-

The increased demand of natural colorants and nutraceuticals determines the needs for development of alternative technologies for supply of such additives. The anthocyanins, produced by grape cell suspensions, represent a very attractive class of natural compounds, which could find application in food industry (as colorants), pharmacy (as nutraceuticals and therapeutic compounds) and in cosmetics (as UV protectors, antioxidant and anti cancer compounds). Biotechnological production of grape anthocyanins presents significant eco‐ nomical benefits. Cormier and colleagues calculated that the cost of 1 kg anthocyanins, produced by two-stage cultivation process of grape cell suspension in bioreactor with working volume of 155,000 L can cost almost the half of the price of such amount of anthocyanins, produced by the extraction of grape skins (\$ 931 per 1 kg of anthocyanins from grape cell suspension, compared to \$ 2,083 per 1 kg of anthocyanins, produced by grape skin extraction) [142]. However, the specific requirements of the available grape cell suspensions significantly complicate the scale up of the cultivation process, which is the serious restriction for realization

Anthocyanins have great potential for application in pharmaceutical products both as nutra‐ ceuticals and as therapeutic compounds. Frequent ingestion of anthocyanins could provide various health benefits including reduced risk of coronary heart diseases, anti-carcinogenic ac‐ tivity, antioxidant activity, reduced risk of stroke, anti-inflammatory effects etc. [13, 34, 184-186]. Biological activities of anthocyanin pigments have been already discussed in several excellent reviews [184, 187, 188]. Their pharmaceutical value has been additionally increased due to their high bioavailability. However, the administration and metabolism of anthocyanins *in vivo* have been investigated in details mostly in rats, whereas the detailed studies on humans still are scantly presented in scientific literature [60, 189]. For better understanding and investi‐ gation of anthocyanins absorption and *in vivo* metabolism in human and animal bodies, grape cell suspension culture of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux, was adapted to produce 13C-labeled anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-*O*-glucoside, cyanidin-3-*O*-glucoside **7**, petunidin-3-*O*-gluco‐ side, peonidin-3-*O*-glucoside and malvidin-3-*O*-glucoside) [190]. Development of reliable sources of isotopically labelled anthocyanins could have remarkable impact on advancement in

The world market of natural food colorants expands with the annual growth rate of 4-6% [142]. In USA 4 of the 26 colorants approved by the food administration, that are exempt from certification, are based on anthocyanin pigments [34]. In European Union, all anthocyanin-

diagnostic of metabolomic assimilation studies of these compounds *in vivo*.

**6. Commercialization and applications of grape cell products**

related genes [183].

270 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

of such biotechnological process.

**6.1. Pharmaceutical applications**

**6.2. Food industry**

The commercial interest of cosmetic companies to apply plant additives, derived by biotechno‐ logical cultivation of plant cells to their products has increased remarkably in the last few years [193]. The addition of plant cell derived extracts in cosmetic products has been considered as a powerful approach used to increase their health benefits. Several plant extracts have been add‐ ed to various cosmetic products as moisturizers, antioxidants, whitening agents, colorants, sunscreens, preservatives etc. [193]. With the advancement of plant cell biotechnology, more and more cosmetic companies have been attracted for application of additives, based on plant cell suspensions. Recently the application of so-called plant "steam" cells attracts industry's at‐ tention [193]. In the last few years, the French company "Sederma" launched the product "Re‐ sistem™" based on application of *in vitro* cultivated plant cells (www.sederma.fr). The other company, "Mibelle Biochemistry", situated in Switzerland, developed a "PhytoCellTec" prod‐ uct, based on grape cell suspension of *V. vinifera* L. *cv.* Gamay Fréaux, which was processed by high-pressure homogenizer to produce liposomes for application in cream products (www.mi‐ bellebiochemistry.com). According to the company, the grape cell derived liposomes contained higher amounts of anthocyanins and when applied on skins serve as strong UV protectors and fight photoaging. The presented examples clearly demonstrate the commercial interest to ap‐ plication of grape cell suspension derived products. However, it is a matter of time for the scien‐ tists to develop the biotechnological approach of producing anthocyanins by grape cell suspensions from the frame of experimental scale to commercially applicable products.

#### **7. Conclusion and future prospects**

The approaches described in this chapter can be effective in improving novel anthocyaninderived metabolites in grape cell suspensions. Continuous study and exploitation of the knowledge of grape cell lines and their control mechanisms will open up new possibilities for metabolic engineering of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. In parallel, the recent achievements in bioengineering with plant cell suspensions and the improvements of the existed bioreactor designs discovers new prospectives for commercial realization of antho‐ cyanin producing technology based on cultivation of grape cells. This is a research area that is growing and gaining interest in the analysis of plant-based health-related compounds. Therefore, the full impact of metabolomics on muscadine research is yet to be experienced. But this chapter serves as a starting point for scientists who are interested in cell cultures from muscadine grapes.

#### **Acknowledgements**

The authors are grateful to the Florida A&M University College of Agriculture and Food Science. The research work has been done with the financial support of USDA/NIFA/AFRI Plant Biochemistry Program Grant # 2009-03127.

#### **Author details**

Anthony Ananga1 , Vasil Georgiev1 , Joel Ochieng2 , Bobby Phills1 and Violeta Tsolova1

1 School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Center for Vituculture and Small Fruit Research, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

2 Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

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286 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive


### **From the Olive Flower to the Drupe: Flower Types, Pollination, Self and Inter-Compatibility and Fruit Set**

Catherine Breton and André Bervillé

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/55312

#### **1. Introduction**

#### **1.1. Frame of the chapter**

Although the tree development directs the olive tree yield we focus here to describe the main phases, stages and key steps from blossoming to harvest. The olive tree produces much more flowers thanallothertrees,however,fruit setandfinalharvestarelimitedbyseveralparameters.

Most articles in literature deal with the physiological aspects of the transformation of the olive flower into the drupe. Little attention has been given to genetic involvements that underlay the physiology and the biochemistry. A comprehensive survey of the literature as much as we can is given with genetic commentaries based upon recent genetic progresses made in the field.

The olive tree derived from the oleaster and the oleaster belongs to an intertropical (Asian, African) genus and a major difference between northern species (*Fraxinus*, *Syringa*, *Ligus‐ trum*) is the bare axillary buds at the basis of leaves. This explains why the olive is more susceptible to freeze than other Oleaceae as *Fraxinus*. Olive flower buds appear on one-yearold twig in terminal position or at the axillary of the leaves.

### **2. Blossoming induction**

#### **2.1. Wood bud versus flower bud**

There are many disputes in literature to determine when the induction takes place and when differentiation between vegetative and reproductive bud occurs. The first cytological traces of differentiation between the two types of buds occur in February –March [1] in the north hemisphere that infers the physiological signals had triggered the mechanism early, and

physiologists agree the induction takes place about the preceding July [2]. Guayneychya [3] from the P. Villemur' team in Montpellier has delimited the stage by sequential removal of fruits in inflorescence, and he showed that it is really induction since without enough cold in fall (November-December) the buds will not turn to flower, but stay vegetative. Conversely, if the load is excessive most buds will not further turn to blossom next year, which is respon‐ sible of alternance. All buds will not give a twig or an inflorescence. Some are quiescent without apparent reason. It appears that this depend on the age of the twig and as old it is between 1 and 5 years and the older it is the mower the chance to give a new twig. The main buds will not maintain up to 3 years, but the supernumerary buds survive and may develop. This explains why the external branches of a tree are pending and when it is not pruned old twigs will not give new buds either for a new twig or for an inflorescence. Thus, the specific shape of an old olive tree is due to this mechanism.

#### **2.2. Genetic basis: Gene for architecture, gene for ramification**

The natural development of an olive tree from a seedling or a one year cutting leads to shape the tree depending on the genotype. Moutier et al. [4] have recorded different shapes and the tree architecture has consequence on the appearance of the first flower buds. The repartition of the flower buds on a twig the second year is also depending on the genotype: *Lucques* has the lower number of flower buds whereas *Olivière* has the highest number.

The question is therefore whether pruning trees may change the density of flower buds. Pruning has effect to regulate alternance bearing, but not to change the fate of the buds. Deep trimming on an old tree sill suppress old twigs and enables the development of supernumerary buds.

#### **2.3. Environmental factors: Temperature, cold, latitude, diseases**

Surprisingly, the main factor that enables the development of inflorescences is temperature. Cold 7.2°C are required to induce inflorescence appearance in April-May as experimented by [1]. A long cold exposure is required to obtain the optimal level of flower buds. There also the effect is genotype dependent. Latitude has not effect on the induction of flower buds. Drought stresses do not affect the proportion of flower buds, but may affect severely fruit set by increasing the proportion of staminate flowers.

#### **3. Types of flowers**

#### **3.1. Inflorescence structure**

Either short, compact and long is the classic way to describe olive inflorescences. The type is a raceme panicle that as the leaves are at each node both opposite and decussate Obviously, long inflorescence is apparently better for fruit production, but we will see that it is not so obvious. The inflorescence shape is genotype dependent. The number of flowers per inflores‐ cence is between 10 to 30 flowers depending upon the genotype and the position of the inflorescence and the twig that bears it. The olive tree is characterized by bearing three types of flowers: Hermaphrodite, staminate, pistillate. Pistillate flowers – some lack stamens and most of them are hermaphrodite -- and staminate flowers that have no pistil.

Pistillate flowers are completed flowers with 4 sepals and 4 petals, two stamens and two fuse ovaries.

Some flowers may have a pistil without stamens, but they are seldom and probably due to accident in the development. In contrast, staminate flowers that do not have pistil or traces of pistil, are numerous and may be prevalent. They are results of abortion of the pistil, or the pistil was there in the enlage of bud and it degenerate rapidly [5]. They concluded from their study "It is proposed that the main advantage provided by production of staminate flowers in olive is to enhance male fitness by increasing pollen output at the whole plant level, although a relict function of attracting pollinators cannot be completely discarded.».

Varieties have stamens that may abort also more or less rapidly. They may display black anthers as *Lucques*, which is fully male sterile, *Olivière* that displays empty brown anthers and *Tanche* that contains pollen only in one of the stamen bag. Other variety may display more or less yellow pollen (a fine yellow powder escapes from the stamen) [6].

#### **3.2. Function**

physiologists agree the induction takes place about the preceding July [2]. Guayneychya [3] from the P. Villemur' team in Montpellier has delimited the stage by sequential removal of fruits in inflorescence, and he showed that it is really induction since without enough cold in fall (November-December) the buds will not turn to flower, but stay vegetative. Conversely, if the load is excessive most buds will not further turn to blossom next year, which is respon‐ sible of alternance. All buds will not give a twig or an inflorescence. Some are quiescent without apparent reason. It appears that this depend on the age of the twig and as old it is between 1 and 5 years and the older it is the mower the chance to give a new twig. The main buds will not maintain up to 3 years, but the supernumerary buds survive and may develop. This explains why the external branches of a tree are pending and when it is not pruned old twigs will not give new buds either for a new twig or for an inflorescence. Thus, the specific shape

The natural development of an olive tree from a seedling or a one year cutting leads to shape the tree depending on the genotype. Moutier et al. [4] have recorded different shapes and the tree architecture has consequence on the appearance of the first flower buds. The repartition of the flower buds on a twig the second year is also depending on the genotype: *Lucques* has

The question is therefore whether pruning trees may change the density of flower buds. Pruning has effect to regulate alternance bearing, but not to change the fate of the buds. Deep trimming on an old tree sill suppress old twigs and enables the development of supernumerary

Surprisingly, the main factor that enables the development of inflorescences is temperature. Cold 7.2°C are required to induce inflorescence appearance in April-May as experimented by [1]. A long cold exposure is required to obtain the optimal level of flower buds. There also the effect is genotype dependent. Latitude has not effect on the induction of flower buds. Drought stresses do not affect the proportion of flower buds, but may affect severely fruit set by

Either short, compact and long is the classic way to describe olive inflorescences. The type is a raceme panicle that as the leaves are at each node both opposite and decussate Obviously, long inflorescence is apparently better for fruit production, but we will see that it is not so obvious. The inflorescence shape is genotype dependent. The number of flowers per inflores‐ cence is between 10 to 30 flowers depending upon the genotype and the position of the

of an old olive tree is due to this mechanism.

290 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

buds.

**2.2. Genetic basis: Gene for architecture, gene for ramification**

the lower number of flower buds whereas *Olivière* has the highest number.

**2.3. Environmental factors: Temperature, cold, latitude, diseases**

increasing the proportion of staminate flowers.

**3. Types of flowers**

**3.1. Inflorescence structure**

Literature displays many hypotheses to explain the reasons for two types of flowers. To summarize most hypotheses are based on the limiting nutrient (nutrient economy) to produce more pollen without the load of producing ovules that could not be fed. Wind dispersion of pollen in all species requires a high pollen production and it is logic to think that the olive tree manages high pollen production and it saves hermaphrodite flowers. It is probably not so simple due to the diversity of flower bearing in the different Oleaceae.

Since fruits can be produced only by pistillate flowers the final load of the tree will depend on those flowers. The proportion of hermaphrodite flowers is depending upon several factors that can be organized into a hierarchy as the genotype, and the environment factors such as the position of the branch, the position of the inflorescences on the twig, and the position of the twig, the temperature at the meiosis stage [5].

Hartmann [1] has reported to see olive orchards with only staminate flowers and of course they can't produce any fruits. Thus, it is clear that the environment may determine a part of the trait. However, we noticed that selection of such variety was probably done due to quality of the fruits. However, this example seems exceptional. The amplitude of variation for the trait "ratio staminate/ hermaphrodite flowers" in one tree seems is not so high when choosing a branch with enough inflorescences. As for fruits (1kg fruits are required for oil analysis) the number of flowers to be examined has to be thousands unless the determination will be uncertain. Usually, the terminal flower(s) of one inflorescence is(are) hermaphrodite and the lateral ones may more or less staminate. Furthermore the determination has to be done at different stages following white flower bud stages due to many flowers may fall quickly leaving the hermaphrodite flowers prevalent [7].

#### **3.3. Genetic basis of the proportion between complete and staminate flowers**

Only few diversity studies lead to determine the proportion of staminate and pistillate flowers. In the Villemur team, [8] and [9],[10] have determined the proportion of each type of flowers to estimate fruit set based on hermaphrodite flowers only. From their observations the percentage of staminate flowers may vary from 95% as in *Lucques* to 5% as in *Salonenque* with little year variation effect. However, the pollen released from an olive tree is not well correlated with the proportion of staminate flowers, whereas it is better correlated with the size of the inflorescence and the numbers of flowers [11]. [11; 12;13 ]. Ferrara et al, [14] shows the variation in pollen production and pollen viability between varieties. Damialis et al, [15] show that *O europaea* does not produce more pollen than other tree species. Zafra et al, [16] have studied enzymes that eliminate free oxygen toxic for cells (ROS and NO) in developing anther tissue showing the activity is correlated with receptivity stages.

Consequently, cultivars are ranked based on the proportion of hermaphrodite flowers and in the whole the proportion of inflorescence leading to a fruit is about 1 and therefore hermaph‐ rodite flowers are enough to ensure enough harvest.

Flowering period, amplitude and variation year a year

In a given place the date of full blossoming varies year a year in a range of 6 weeks. Early blossoming is reported to ensure better yield that late blossoming in the people belief. Other factors given below may modulate the harvest yield. Orlandi et al, [17] have studied several factors to model spatial pollen spread in orchards that may help olive growers to locate pollinisers in orchards.

#### **3.4. Expectation from climate changes**

As for grape the average date of blossoming is earlier than thirty years back in a given place. But the risk of climatic incident increases with the earliness of the blossoming and statistics are more or less neutral on yields, thus the effects of climate changes affect surely pathogens and pests of the olive. Late blossoming increases the risk of heat shock on flower that may prevent flowers to open, and if they open pollen may be damaged (Villemur P. Pers comm.).

#### **3.5. Cases of related genera in Oleaceae**

#### Wild olive or oleaster

The olive is said andromonoiecious and on wild in nature trees the proportion of complete flowers to staminate flowers may vary in a wide range: 95% staminate flowers, even in some cases, complete absence of hermaphrodite flowers, whereas on some trees hermaphrodite flowers are exclusive [18]. Consequently, from this key data one can infer that selection of varieties along centuries was relatively neutral as for the proportion of staminate flowers, and thus was based upon fruits and oil characteristics

#### **3.6.** *Olea europaea* **subsp.** *cuspidata*

**3.3. Genetic basis of the proportion between complete and staminate flowers**

showing the activity is correlated with receptivity stages.

rodite flowers are enough to ensure enough harvest.

pollinisers in orchards.

Wild olive or oleaster

**3.4. Expectation from climate changes**

292 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**3.5. Cases of related genera in Oleaceae**

thus was based upon fruits and oil characteristics

Flowering period, amplitude and variation year a year

Only few diversity studies lead to determine the proportion of staminate and pistillate flowers. In the Villemur team, [8] and [9],[10] have determined the proportion of each type of flowers to estimate fruit set based on hermaphrodite flowers only. From their observations the percentage of staminate flowers may vary from 95% as in *Lucques* to 5% as in *Salonenque* with little year variation effect. However, the pollen released from an olive tree is not well correlated with the proportion of staminate flowers, whereas it is better correlated with the size of the inflorescence and the numbers of flowers [11]. [11; 12;13 ]. Ferrara et al, [14] shows the variation in pollen production and pollen viability between varieties. Damialis et al, [15] show that *O europaea* does not produce more pollen than other tree species. Zafra et al, [16] have studied enzymes that eliminate free oxygen toxic for cells (ROS and NO) in developing anther tissue

Consequently, cultivars are ranked based on the proportion of hermaphrodite flowers and in the whole the proportion of inflorescence leading to a fruit is about 1 and therefore hermaph‐

In a given place the date of full blossoming varies year a year in a range of 6 weeks. Early blossoming is reported to ensure better yield that late blossoming in the people belief. Other factors given below may modulate the harvest yield. Orlandi et al, [17] have studied several factors to model spatial pollen spread in orchards that may help olive growers to locate

As for grape the average date of blossoming is earlier than thirty years back in a given place. But the risk of climatic incident increases with the earliness of the blossoming and statistics are more or less neutral on yields, thus the effects of climate changes affect surely pathogens and pests of the olive. Late blossoming increases the risk of heat shock on flower that may prevent flowers to open, and if they open pollen may be damaged (Villemur P. Pers comm.).

The olive is said andromonoiecious and on wild in nature trees the proportion of complete flowers to staminate flowers may vary in a wide range: 95% staminate flowers, even in some cases, complete absence of hermaphrodite flowers, whereas on some trees hermaphrodite flowers are exclusive [18]. Consequently, from this key data one can infer that selection of varieties along centuries was relatively neutral as for the proportion of staminate flowers, and

Is a related subspecies to the olive belonging to the same genus. It looks like the wild olive, and twigs of the year before bears different proportion of hermaphrodite and male flowers [19].

In *Olea* and *Fraxinus* genera both anemophilous, flowers appeared before the leaf and after the leaf, respectively, and they both carry hermaphrodite flowers without calyx as corolla and with calyx and corolla, respectively. Besides hermaphrodite flowers made of 1 pistil and 2 stamens. They both develop panicles (inflorescence) with 50 – 400 flowers from lateral one-year-old twigs The olive tree individuals display different proportion of hermaphrodite (95 to 5%) and flowers lacking pistil (staminate flowers) (95-5%).

Other genera such as Phillyrea, Jasminum, and Fraxinus display different interesting and intriguing situations for the proportion of staminate and hermaphrodite flowers. *Chionanthus virginicus* is dioecious, having male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers on separate plants. Phillyrea angustifolia displays high proportion of individuals with only staminate flowers whereas the counterpart is hermaphrodite, but among hermaphrodite there are two classes called G1 and G2 that can mate each other and with the male individuals, whereas individuals belong to G1 cannot mate each other as individuals belong to G2 [20.

*Fraxinus* includes several species. *Fraxinus* individuals are said polygamous because they may even be different flower types within an inflorescence *and* the sex expression of individual trees shows a continuum of gender, i.e. they have either staminate flowers, pistillate flowers, both unisexual flower types, only hermaphroditic flowers, or a combination of uni- and bisexual flowers on different branches. The male flowers for both the olive and *Fraxinus* are always on lateral twigs. The difference between *Olea* and *Fraxinus* is that all the olive trees carry always at least some hermaphrodite flowers.

The present knowledge on flower development leads to believe that staminate flowers are due to pistil abortion determined by genetic regulation plans about one month before blossom [1]. For the olive several authors sustain that nutritional resources are insufficient to make all flowers complete, and that pollen production is prioritized because there is enough hermaph‐ rodite flowers to ensure fruit production [5].

#### **4. The reproduction system of the olive tree**

#### **4.1. Pollination**

#### *4.1.1. Pollen structure and organization*

As for other Oleaceae the pollen grain is slightly ovoid about 20-30 µm in diameter [21]. It is not possible to identify the species which produces pollen grains in archaeological remains. Thus, Archaeologists have frequently noticed 'Oleaceae'. In most cases it is olive pollen. An adult olive tree produces about 2 109 pollen grains that give yellow colour to every surface around an olive grove.

Pollen transport is made by winds onto long distances – over 1000 km – but loss in pollen viability is not well analyzed and there are many divergent assertions on time and distance for loss viability. Probably, as estimated by [22] loss in pollen viability occurs after about one hour due to exposition to rays in the atmosphere [23].

Pollen wind role is very important to not only disperse and diffuse pollen grains, but also to transport them fast to reach stigma before they loose their viability. Thus, the pollen physiology is not well understood in the olive tree, and most environmental factors – hot temperature stress, rain, remain to be studied in details to explain variation in fruit set when pollination has appeared deficient [24].

#### *4.1.2. Pollen sterility types are numerous in the olive cultivars*

The main type of male sterility is determined by the mitochondria of the CCK cytoplasm [25]. The anthers are empty and if some pollen seems present it is fully sterile, but it may exist some restorer alleles (Rf) encountered in the wild olive trees in North of Africa [26]. In some environmental conditions the olive trees carrying this cytoplasm, which gives the cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) may produce a few of yellow powder, but the pollen is never functional. *Olivière* a variety from France (Languedoc-Roussillon) displays such CMS. Varieties carrying this CMS are vigorous as Chemlal de Kabylie due to probably to the economy they make in pollen production.

*Lucques*, a table variety from France (Languedoc-Roussillon) displays empty anthers and is characterized by dark anthers. *Lucques* display a high proportion of staminate flowers and thus the pollination has to be very effective on the few hermaphrodite flowers to ensure fruit sets.

*Tanche* a table variety from France (Rhone - Alpes Region) displays a partial sterility (about one bag of the anther is full of pollen per flower) that infers olive growers have to help pollination by adding pollinisers varieties that are included in the appellation "Olives de Nyons".

#### **4.2. Pollen and archaeology**

The Oleaceae pollen in Egyptian tombs, in sediment of lakes have been widely used to trace the colonisation of the Mediterranean basin by the oleaster [27] and to trace the diffusion of the olive trees by Phoenicians and Romans. However, due to the long displacement by the wind some reserves are made on these studies.

#### **4.3. Pollen and allergy**

The most common effect of the olive pollen is its allergenic effect on about 30% of the popu‐ lation, but most people ignore that is due to the olive pollen. About ten allergens have been characterized [28] with a huge diversity in the responsible proteins [29,30]. Many researchers forecast that plantation of the olive trees for decorative purposes in the towns is not neutral to the populations and should be probably limited to reduce the allergenic effects in the future. Many researches dealt with the allergens to understand from an evolution point of view the reason why the Oleaceae have developed so many allergens in the pollen grains (Ash tree, Lilac, Privet, Jasmines, Phillyrea, and so on). Is there interference between allergens and Salleles in varieties? Although the role of allergens in the pollen is not well understood, their variation described at protein level seems huge and not corresponding to clear cut classes as S-alleles. However, because the physiological mechanism involved in pollen-stigma reaction is ignored yet, it is too early to respond to this question.

#### **4.4. Pollen to forecast harvests**

Pollen transport is made by winds onto long distances – over 1000 km – but loss in pollen viability is not well analyzed and there are many divergent assertions on time and distance for loss viability. Probably, as estimated by [22] loss in pollen viability occurs after about one

Pollen wind role is very important to not only disperse and diffuse pollen grains, but also to transport them fast to reach stigma before they loose their viability. Thus, the pollen physiology is not well understood in the olive tree, and most environmental factors – hot temperature stress, rain, remain to be studied in details to explain variation in fruit set when pollination

The main type of male sterility is determined by the mitochondria of the CCK cytoplasm [25]. The anthers are empty and if some pollen seems present it is fully sterile, but it may exist some restorer alleles (Rf) encountered in the wild olive trees in North of Africa [26]. In some environmental conditions the olive trees carrying this cytoplasm, which gives the cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) may produce a few of yellow powder, but the pollen is never functional. *Olivière* a variety from France (Languedoc-Roussillon) displays such CMS. Varieties carrying this CMS are vigorous as Chemlal de Kabylie due to probably to the economy they make in

*Lucques*, a table variety from France (Languedoc-Roussillon) displays empty anthers and is characterized by dark anthers. *Lucques* display a high proportion of staminate flowers and thus the pollination has to be very effective on the few hermaphrodite flowers to ensure fruit sets.

*Tanche* a table variety from France (Rhone - Alpes Region) displays a partial sterility (about one bag of the anther is full of pollen per flower) that infers olive growers have to help pollination by adding pollinisers varieties that are included in the appellation "Olives de

The Oleaceae pollen in Egyptian tombs, in sediment of lakes have been widely used to trace the colonisation of the Mediterranean basin by the oleaster [27] and to trace the diffusion of the olive trees by Phoenicians and Romans. However, due to the long displacement by the

The most common effect of the olive pollen is its allergenic effect on about 30% of the popu‐ lation, but most people ignore that is due to the olive pollen. About ten allergens have been characterized [28] with a huge diversity in the responsible proteins [29,30]. Many researchers forecast that plantation of the olive trees for decorative purposes in the towns is not neutral to the populations and should be probably limited to reduce the allergenic effects in the future. Many researches dealt with the allergens to understand from an evolution point of view the

hour due to exposition to rays in the atmosphere [23].

294 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

*4.1.2. Pollen sterility types are numerous in the olive cultivars*

has appeared deficient [24].

pollen production.

**4.2. Pollen and archaeology**

**4.3. Pollen and allergy**

wind some reserves are made on these studies.

Nyons".

Pollen grains from many plants and in peculiar from the olive tree are trapped in filters from the atmosphere to forecast the epidemic peak in the populations [31]. Moreover, researchers have developed models to forecast olive harvest based on pollen grain density in the atmosphere [14]. The method is running in different countries (Italy, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia) [32].

Indeed, the pollen should land in most of stigma from the olive tree and because there is no attractive effect but only chance that a pollen grain lands on an olive stigma, one may think that is the reason to explain the abundant pollen production by the olive tree. For other fruit trees (Peach, Apple, Cherry) bees and wind can transport the pollen and due to bees visit only flowers from the same species during its journey, the exchanges of pollen are targeted onto the same species. It is not the case for the olive.

#### **5. Style organization**

#### **5.1. Stigma structure and organization**

The size of the stigma (a cone, see pictures from [33 34] even small for us, is enough feathered once opened to capture about 20,000 pollen grains [14, 35]. The Italian team has made deep studies in pollination between trees in an orchard and their data are very important to understand what may occur at theses stages.

Stigma receptivity is probably a stage difficult to surround because fruit set in the olive tree is very peculiar. In any case, most hermaphrodite flowers will not give fruits whatever the proportion of hermaphrodite flowers. Recently, gene expression studies have throw some light on this key stage showing the role of oxygen bound enzymes that reveal whether the stigma is receptive or not. From literature data, by hand pollination studies the receptivity of the stigma appears to be a week, but some varieties as *Lucques* displays a shorter while by about 3-4 days, that may cause poor fruit set if pollination does not coincide with pollen receptivity.

Pollen stigma interaction revealed strong metabolism intensity. Several Key enzymes have been studied during different stages of pollen stigma interaction [36]. Peroxidase, esterase, and acid phosphatase activities are considered as signs of stigma receptivity. However, data on RNAse activities in the pollen tube growing, although its absence is considered as evidence for pollen compatibility in the frame of the GSI model (see paragraph below), are not con‐ vincing since in other species harbouring a GSI type as in Solanaceae, the RNAse activity is omnipresent, even in inter-compatible pollen.

Many questions remain without response on the quality of the pollen that has landed on the stigma. The quality means two thinks: 1) whether the pollen is able to germinate by itself if all other conditions enable it to do so. 2) whether the pollen and the style reaction is compatible because of the self-incompatibility mechanism that exists in the olive. If the pollen - style reaction is not compatible – it is said cross-incompatible- then the pollen tube will be blocked and further destroyed before it reached the embryonic bag.

#### **6. Pollen style interaction**

#### **6.1. Physiology in the style**

The first role played by the olive style is to hydrate pollen grains to enable them to germinate. Thus, there is probably no regulation by the stigma for pollen germination at this step. However, little is know on which pollen grain may germinate and several observations suggest that several can germinate, but only one reaches the embryo bag region [8, 10, 34]. Temperature has been shown to influence interaction [37]. The olive carries a strong self-incompatibility system, which also exists under different forms in other Oleaceae, and the hermaphrodite and male flower proportion is widely variable both in the crop and the wild [8, 18].

The self-incompatibility locus in other plants directs several genes that enable pollen stigma recognition and then pollen tube growth until the ovule. We would just stress the main features of these systems to lead readers to question about the mechanism in the olive.

#### **6.2. Genetic bases for self-incompatibility and inter-incompatibility**

Either one pollen grain harbours on the exine and the pollen tube one of the two determinant of the S-locus (each S-allele specify one determinant: a trans-membrane protein with more or less glycosyl- radicals) it is called the gametophytic type (abbreviated GSI) or the two deter‐ minants; it is called the sporophytic type (abbreviated SSI).

The GSI type is present in Solanaceae, Plantaginaceae, Rosaceae and Papilionaceae where the incompatible pollen tube undergone a programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis and disappeared in few hours [38, 39, 40]. Researchers working in the olive have a priori (probably due to other fruit trees belonging to Rosaceae harbour such GSI type) considered the olive tree belongs to this type, but in our opinion there is no convincing evidence to sustain this model for the olive tree [41].

The GSI type also exists in some other plant families without RNAse activity as in Papaver [42], and the IIC reaction occurs on the style in one second due to a strong flux of calcium. In Gramineae [43], Papilionaceae and Chenopodiaceae with the GSI types the mechanisms does not involved an S-RNAse, and little is known in these species. Many S-alleles have been sequenced in *Prunus* species (Rosaceae) [44] and if the size of the S-allele varies between 100 to 350 Kb, for the allele expressed in the pollen as to the one expressed in the style side, little is understand on the exact reaction leading to ICO and IIC between the pollen and the style.

The GSI model has genetic involvements that have to be exposed:

**1.** a *SvSw* plant cannot self-pollinate

vincing since in other species harbouring a GSI type as in Solanaceae, the RNAse activity is

Many questions remain without response on the quality of the pollen that has landed on the stigma. The quality means two thinks: 1) whether the pollen is able to germinate by itself if all other conditions enable it to do so. 2) whether the pollen and the style reaction is compatible because of the self-incompatibility mechanism that exists in the olive. If the pollen - style reaction is not compatible – it is said cross-incompatible- then the pollen tube will be blocked

The first role played by the olive style is to hydrate pollen grains to enable them to germinate. Thus, there is probably no regulation by the stigma for pollen germination at this step. However, little is know on which pollen grain may germinate and several observations suggest that several can germinate, but only one reaches the embryo bag region [8, 10, 34]. Temperature has been shown to influence interaction [37]. The olive carries a strong self-incompatibility system, which also exists under different forms in other Oleaceae, and the hermaphrodite and

The self-incompatibility locus in other plants directs several genes that enable pollen stigma recognition and then pollen tube growth until the ovule. We would just stress the main features

Either one pollen grain harbours on the exine and the pollen tube one of the two determinant of the S-locus (each S-allele specify one determinant: a trans-membrane protein with more or less glycosyl- radicals) it is called the gametophytic type (abbreviated GSI) or the two deter‐

The GSI type is present in Solanaceae, Plantaginaceae, Rosaceae and Papilionaceae where the incompatible pollen tube undergone a programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis and disappeared in few hours [38, 39, 40]. Researchers working in the olive have a priori (probably due to other fruit trees belonging to Rosaceae harbour such GSI type) considered the olive tree belongs to this type, but in our opinion there is no convincing evidence to sustain this model

The GSI type also exists in some other plant families without RNAse activity as in Papaver [42], and the IIC reaction occurs on the style in one second due to a strong flux of calcium. In Gramineae [43], Papilionaceae and Chenopodiaceae with the GSI types the mechanisms does not involved an S-RNAse, and little is known in these species. Many S-alleles have been sequenced in *Prunus* species (Rosaceae) [44] and if the size of the S-allele varies between 100

male flower proportion is widely variable both in the crop and the wild [8, 18].

of these systems to lead readers to question about the mechanism in the olive.

**6.2. Genetic bases for self-incompatibility and inter-incompatibility**

minants; it is called the sporophytic type (abbreviated SSI).

omnipresent, even in inter-compatible pollen.

296 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**6. Pollen style interaction**

**6.1. Physiology in the style**

for the olive tree [41].

and further destroyed before it reached the embryonic bag.


The SSI type exists in Brassicaceae and Asteraceae. The pollen grain harbours the two deter‐ minants, thus leaving dominance relationships between the two S-alleles. We would stress that even if the pollen grain genome carries only one of the two alleles (*Sx* or *Sy*) on the surface of the exine and the pollen tube both S-allele products (Px and Py) are present on the pollen coat leading to the self-incompatibility reaction if pollen and style carry the same alelle. In Brassicaceae, the self-incompatible pollen grain triggers a cascade of events leading to PCD in a few hours. This cascade involves a protein kinase with a SRK-motive (SRK-protein kinase) that add a phosphorus to a template protein whereas if self-compatible there is no reaction [45].

The dominance relationship between two S-alleles makes (as example *Sx*>*Sy* means *Sx* dominant over *Sy*) that the recessive determinant of the pollen is hinted and consequently the same determinant on the female side on the the stigma or in the style cannot pair with it, that lead to its acceptance as compatible. This feature makes the genetic involvements of the SSI model much complex than with the GSI model [46].


Several recent reviews on GSI and SSI models can be consulted by readers [49, 45].

The GSI model infers that the pollen must germinate and start pollen tube growth before undergone PCD if it is S-I or IIC. Pollen grain germination observations sustain this view, except in the *Papaver* model where the incompatible pollen grain does not germinate. The SSI model infers the expression of the SRK-kinase is constitutive in the style and thus the pollen tube may not grow longer and disappears fast. The recognition of the pollen tube and its growth should enable to state whether the reaction is incompatibility versus compatibility. In practice, it is not so obvious due to all pollen grains do not behave as the same way [50, 51, 52, 53].

#### **6.3. Methods to estimate pollen stigma interaction**

The microscope method to follow pollen tube growth till the ovule requires specialization of peoples to make observation, it is time consuming and thus expansive [51, 8, 10]. For seed plants such as sunflower self-sterility is measured by surrounding one head with a pollenproof paper bag and leaving another head free pollinated. The ratio of both fruit sets enables to estimate S-I versus S-F [54]. For the olive the paper bag method runs efficiently, but the number of flowers under the bag should be consistent with significant statistics on fruit set and the paper pollen proof should be of good quality [55, 56]. In fact, the main concern for researchers is the source of the pollen, which can be in the orchard or much far and thus the pollen requests to be moved. Dry pollen appears to loose germination ability fast, whereas after freezing it may be kept over months [57].

Many studies have been undergone around the stage of the style waiting for the pollen and on the pollen waiting to land on the stigma. One original study by [58] dealt with calcium behaviour in the stigma, the style and around the embryonic bag. The calcium accumulation is probably correlated with the pistil maturity and receptivity.

#### **6.4. Advantages and drawbacks**

The advantages of the paper bag method are that several controls can be performed in one orchard, and thus, the number of parameters under variation is much estimated. However, to move pollen requests several controls to verify whether the pollen does not suffer from transportation. It is not so easy to verify and thus this point enhances the number of request controls. Villemur recommended freezing pollen, others prefer to move pollen in paper bag, or to move branches. All these methods are not neutral versus results and may explain the wide range of answers on crosses between olive varieties.

In any way the self-incompatibility is quantitative and thus requests to define thresholds to rank varieties. Probably, literature records on self-fertility and self-incompatibility on the one hand and inter-compatibility and inter-incompatibility between given pairs of varieties diverged due to position of thresholds that are not given in records. To be accurate it is required to add the threshold.

#### **6.5. Unravelling S-alleles composition in the olive**

Breton and Bervillé [46] have attempted to fill the gap for some varieties between published tables on successes and failures on self-fertility and self-incompatibility and for mates of pairwise combination of varieties containing + and – or 0, by translating the signs by S-alleles. Obviously, the attribution is relative as long as the alleles have not been sequenced. Moreover, before reaching a satisfying model we followed plenty of wrong tracks. As an example, we firstly supposed that self-fertile varieties (*Bouteillan*, *Cornicabra*, and *Verdale de l'Hérault*) contains one null-allele (S0) as in *Prunus* to lead to self-fertility.

pollen tube may not grow longer and disappears fast. The recognition of the pollen tube and its growth should enable to state whether the reaction is incompatibility versus compatibility. In practice, it is not so obvious due to all pollen grains do not behave as the

The microscope method to follow pollen tube growth till the ovule requires specialization of peoples to make observation, it is time consuming and thus expansive [51, 8, 10]. For seed plants such as sunflower self-sterility is measured by surrounding one head with a pollenproof paper bag and leaving another head free pollinated. The ratio of both fruit sets enables to estimate S-I versus S-F [54]. For the olive the paper bag method runs efficiently, but the number of flowers under the bag should be consistent with significant statistics on fruit set and the paper pollen proof should be of good quality [55, 56]. In fact, the main concern for researchers is the source of the pollen, which can be in the orchard or much far and thus the pollen requests to be moved. Dry pollen appears to loose germination ability fast, whereas

Many studies have been undergone around the stage of the style waiting for the pollen and on the pollen waiting to land on the stigma. One original study by [58] dealt with calcium behaviour in the stigma, the style and around the embryonic bag. The calcium accumulation

The advantages of the paper bag method are that several controls can be performed in one orchard, and thus, the number of parameters under variation is much estimated. However, to move pollen requests several controls to verify whether the pollen does not suffer from transportation. It is not so easy to verify and thus this point enhances the number of request controls. Villemur recommended freezing pollen, others prefer to move pollen in paper bag, or to move branches. All these methods are not neutral versus results and may explain the

In any way the self-incompatibility is quantitative and thus requests to define thresholds to rank varieties. Probably, literature records on self-fertility and self-incompatibility on the one hand and inter-compatibility and inter-incompatibility between given pairs of varieties diverged due to position of thresholds that are not given in records. To be accurate it is required

Breton and Bervillé [46] have attempted to fill the gap for some varieties between published tables on successes and failures on self-fertility and self-incompatibility and for mates of pairwise combination of varieties containing + and – or 0, by translating the signs by S-alleles. Obviously, the attribution is relative as long as the alleles have not been sequenced. Moreover, before reaching a satisfying model we followed plenty of wrong tracks. As an example, we

same way [50, 51, 52, 53].

298 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**6.3. Methods to estimate pollen stigma interaction**

after freezing it may be kept over months [57].

**6.4. Advantages and drawbacks**

to add the threshold.

is probably correlated with the pistil maturity and receptivity.

wide range of answers on crosses between olive varieties.

**6.5. Unravelling S-alleles composition in the olive**

Moutier's and co-workers have made the work to find better pollinisers [55, 56] – the word pollinators is devoted to animals (insects, mammals, and birds) that pollinate plants – to *Lucques* and *Olivière*. These varieties do not produce any pollen grain and should be pollinated by other varieties to ensure fruit set [25]. Consequently, the mates were not equilibrated between varieties, but due to the number of varieties involved (13), we considered this set of varieties pertinent to start the translation of + and – in S-alleles. Moreover, the series of varieties that did not mate *Lucques* was informative to state that the varieties should carry one allele at least in common to *Lucques*.


For displaying symmetry in the table, *Lucques* and *Olivière* being male sterile their column as male is left empty.

**Table 1.** Rewritten from N. Moutier et al. [55,83] and Musho[8] with symmetric lines (female) and columns (male). All +- were converted into +. Cross in one direction only+, -; ⊕, ⊙: Crosses in two directions but dissymmetric fruit sets ; Symmetric fruit sets - -; or + + MS= male sterile; CMS cytoplasmic male sterile. Cases with dissymmetric fruit sets were pink circled. N.d. means not determined. SI and SF means self-incompatible and self-fertile, respectively.

Thus, the code we choose resulted from Gerstel' experiments [50] on Guayule (*Parthenium argentatum*, Asteraceae). Mates between two varieties involved 4 S-alleles coded *R1* to *R4*. However, there are 6 possible combinations of these 4 alleles leading to draw an hexagon with the 6 pairs at the 6 poles. The first step was to define the dominance relationships between the four alleles satisfying the + and 0 cases from the data table [8, 9, 55, 56]. To do this step we based on pair wise combination of mates which leads to opposite fruit sets in both directions of crosses. The other important information comes from the variety *Lucques*, which has little efficient pollinisers and therefore was hypothesized carrying 2 S-alleles almost equivalent (*R2*=*R3*), but dominant over *R1* and *R4*.

18

We constructed table 1 from Moutier's data to separate all mates that gave similar fruit sets (either +,+ or -,- in both directions) and those that gave opposite fruit sets (either +, - or -, + in both directions). Surprisingly, the same varieties were involved in differential fruit sets, this infers their genetic composition for the S-alleles had specific features that remain to be solved.

Based on the Gerstel's model the differences of fruit sets in reciprocal mates were due to the recessive alleles (here *R1* or *R4*) which are present in the pair [50]. *Cayon* was the only variety that mates *Lucques*: we attributed the pair *R1R4* with a priori *R1=R4*. Furthermore, we consid‐ ered the pair *Manzanilla* - *Picholine*, we attributed the *R1*-allele to both because they gave reciprocal differences with *Cayon* that carries *R1* (it explains reciprocal differences) and *R2* to *Manzanilla* infers *R3* in *Picholine* because they cannot mate *Lucques* (*R2R3*). Once done this first translation, all the others result from this one for the four alleles *R1* to *R4*. Obviously, we were surprised to find *Tanche* with the same alleles as *Lucques* and that the four S-alleles explained the behaviour of eleven of the thirteen varieties.


**Table 2.** Summary of *S-*alleles attributed to 39 olive varieties

To go further with the other varieties *Aglandau*, *Grossane*, and *Salonenque*, we attributed a new S-allele *R5* and we computed all dominance relationships with the other alleles to fit experi‐ mental data. Rapidly, we realized that the model was predictive. To attribute S-alleles to *Aglandau*, because the mate *Lucques* x *Aglandau* is lacking we considered the cross *Tanche* x *Aglandau* that failed and revealed that *Aglandau* carries *R2*, consequently *Aglandau* is *R2R5*. *Picholine* and *Grossane* gave similar patterns with all varieties except with *Aglandau* that sustains they carry *R1R3* and *R1R5*, respectively. *Salonenque* and *Grossane* have also similar From the Olive Flower to the Drupe: Flower Types, Pollination, Self and Inter-Compatibility and Fruit Set http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/55312 301


We constructed table 1 from Moutier's data to separate all mates that gave similar fruit sets (either +,+ or -,- in both directions) and those that gave opposite fruit sets (either +, - or -, + in both directions). Surprisingly, the same varieties were involved in differential fruit sets, this infers their genetic composition for the S-alleles had specific features that remain to be solved.

Based on the Gerstel's model the differences of fruit sets in reciprocal mates were due to the recessive alleles (here *R1* or *R4*) which are present in the pair [50]. *Cayon* was the only variety that mates *Lucques*: we attributed the pair *R1R4* with a priori *R1=R4*. Furthermore, we consid‐ ered the pair *Manzanilla* - *Picholine*, we attributed the *R1*-allele to both because they gave reciprocal differences with *Cayon* that carries *R1* (it explains reciprocal differences) and *R2* to *Manzanilla* infers *R3* in *Picholine* because they cannot mate *Lucques* (*R2R3*). Once done this first translation, all the others result from this one for the four alleles *R1* to *R4*. Obviously, we were surprised to find *Tanche* with the same alleles as *Lucques* and that the four S-alleles explained

**Varieties studied12 Other studies S-S/S-F S-locus Best Polliniser**

*Picholine, Arbequina (Barnea, Corregiola)*<sup>10</sup> S-S *R1R3 R4R4, R5R5 Cayon Corniale*<sup>8</sup>*, Koroneiki*9,10 S-F *R1R4 R5R5 Grossane* S-S *R1R5 R4R4*

*Lucques, Tanche* S-S *R2R3 R1R1,R4R4, R5R5*

To go further with the other varieties *Aglandau*, *Grossane*, and *Salonenque*, we attributed a new S-allele *R5* and we computed all dominance relationships with the other alleles to fit experi‐ mental data. Rapidly, we realized that the model was predictive. To attribute S-alleles to *Aglandau*, because the mate *Lucques* x *Aglandau* is lacking we considered the cross *Tanche* x *Aglandau* that failed and revealed that *Aglandau* carries *R2*, consequently *Aglandau* is *R2R5*. *Picholine* and *Grossane* gave similar patterns with all varieties except with *Aglandau* that sustains they carry *R1R3* and *R1R5*, respectively. *Salonenque* and *Grossane* have also similar

S-S *R1R2 R4R4-R5R5*

S-F *R2R4 R1R1-R5R5*

*Manzanillo*51-35, *Manzanilla de Sevilla*<sup>10</sup>*,* Picual35,

*Kalamata*9, 35, *(Mission, Kalamata, a-Pendolino, a-Kalamata, Verdale, UC13A6, King-Kalamata,*

*Aglandau* S-S R2R5 *R1R1 Belgentier13 Sevillano*<sup>24</sup> S-F *R2R6 R1R1, R4R4 Amellau Ascolano-Tenera*,*Frantoio*<sup>35</sup> S-F *R3R4* R1R1 *Salonenque* S-F *R3R5 R1R1-R4R4 Cailletier Cailletier*<sup>8</sup> S-F *R4 R5 R1R1*

the behaviour of eleven of the thirteen varieties.

300 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

*Katsourella*)

**Table 2.** Summary of *S-*alleles attributed to 39 olive varieties

78

*Pendolino* <sup>35</sup> *, Amygdalolia* <sup>53</sup>

*Manzanilla, Amygdalolia*

Bouteillan, VerdaleH,

Olivière, Cornicabra

**Figure 1.** A: Prediction of fruit set for the six pair wise combinations of the R1, R2, R3 and R4 S-alleles in the frame of the GSI model. B: examples of mates that succeed or failed in the frame of the GSI model. C: Prediction of fruit set for the six pair wise combinations of the R1, R2, R3 and R4 S-alleles in the frame of the SSI model without dominance relationships between the S-alleles. D: application to data from Moutier et al.12

patterns except with *Cayon* and *Manzanilla*, which have *R1* in common, thus *Salonenque* carries *R3R5* and *Grossane R1R5*. Even if *Cailletier* has not enough mates, because it mates *Lucques* it cannot carry *R2* or *R3*. However, *Cailletier* gives reciprocal differences in fruit set with *Aglandau* (*R2R5*), consequently *Cailletier* should carry a recessive allele in front of R5. *Salonenque R3R5* cannot self-pollinate as intensively as *Cailletier*, thus we decided to attribute *R4R5* to *Cailleti‐ er*. It mates *Amygdalolia* (*R1R2*) [8] that is in agreement with *R4* and *R5*. *Cailletier* is *Taggiasca*  in Italy. We should apply the parsimony principle to not proliferate S-alleles. Musho [8] has also shown that *Belgentier* can mate *Manzanilla* as *Sevillano* [51] although *Belgentier* cannot mate *Lucques*. All together these data show that *Belgentier* carries *R6* with *R6*>*R2*, and this allele is also present in *Sevillano*.

The model was constructed on crude data provided by different authors without taking account that in controlled crosses fruit sets result from both self-pollination and crosspollination. Depending on the pair of S-alleles the self-pollination rate varies. Now, it is possible to experiment more accurately taking into account the self-pollination rates deter‐ mined under paper bags and to deduce this rate from fruit sets (Table 2, Figure 1).

#### **7. Interests of the results**

Breton & Bervillé [46] have listed some other cultivars (see Table 5 in [46]).Wu [59 ] provided a complete diallel design for 5 varieties, but they carry only 3 pair wise combinations of Salleles, however, they enabled to us to attribute *R1R2* to *Pendolino* and *Picual R3R4*. Many other publications provide mate results between olive varieties. However, authors did not provide enough information on mates (threshold, fruit sets,) making difficult the translation of the data in S-alleles.

Probably the list of varieties with deciphered S-alleles will grow rapidly for the benefit of researchers and olive growers, firstly, to enable diallel design between compatible varieties to check the importance of other factors (coincidence in blossoming, stigma receptivity, ovule receptivity longevity, other compatibility troubles,..) and to check at the style level whether all compatible pollen grains may germinate or if only some may germinate. These questions raise from eventual competition between pollen grains. Furthermore, the model enables to choose pollinisers a priori for a set of varieties.

Among about 20,000 pollen grains that land on a style many questions are still without answers. How many came from an inter-compatible tree [33, 60, 61, 62]. Now it is possible to design experiments to answer to such questions and to check whether competition between pollen grains does exist, not only between inter-incompatible and inter-compatible, but merely between inter-compatible pollen grains. Many observations sustained that only one pollen tube is detected in the style nearby the embryonic bag and only one reaches the ovule. This mechanism is not due to inter-incompatibility, but to some competition mechanism, which may screen among pollen grains based on still unknown parameters.

#### **8. Fertilization**

#### **8.1. Strange features**

The first feature at this stage is that even the distance between the style and the ovule is short, probably by less 2 mm, it is surprising that the pollen tube may reach the embryonic bag between 2 to 6 days after pollination [8, 9, 51, 36, 41]. In other species the pollen tube growth is fast as in *Petunia* fertilization occurs in the next two days and the style is very long (2-3 cm) in comparison to the olive. Probably, there are some regulation steps to unravel at this level.

The second main feature is the poor efficiency in fruit set in comparison to the number of hermaphrodite flowers [63, 64, 65]. Which is the mechanism which screens among the new fruits to cause the fall of some? Only nutritional resources allowance by the position in the twig, the branch, the side of the tree, and so on seem difficult to admit. We may suggest that the delay in fertilization may cause later fruit fall, and that the early fertilized ovules are more solid that those fertilized later.

#### **8.2. Fruit fall**

 in Italy. We should apply the parsimony principle to not proliferate S-alleles. Musho [8] has also shown that *Belgentier* can mate *Manzanilla* as *Sevillano* [51] although *Belgentier* cannot mate *Lucques*. All together these data show that *Belgentier* carries *R6* with *R6*>*R2*, and this allele is

The model was constructed on crude data provided by different authors without taking account that in controlled crosses fruit sets result from both self-pollination and crosspollination. Depending on the pair of S-alleles the self-pollination rate varies. Now, it is possible to experiment more accurately taking into account the self-pollination rates deter‐

Breton & Bervillé [46] have listed some other cultivars (see Table 5 in [46]).Wu [59 ] provided a complete diallel design for 5 varieties, but they carry only 3 pair wise combinations of Salleles, however, they enabled to us to attribute *R1R2* to *Pendolino* and *Picual R3R4*. Many other publications provide mate results between olive varieties. However, authors did not provide enough information on mates (threshold, fruit sets,) making difficult the translation of the data

Probably the list of varieties with deciphered S-alleles will grow rapidly for the benefit of researchers and olive growers, firstly, to enable diallel design between compatible varieties to check the importance of other factors (coincidence in blossoming, stigma receptivity, ovule receptivity longevity, other compatibility troubles,..) and to check at the style level whether all compatible pollen grains may germinate or if only some may germinate. These questions raise from eventual competition between pollen grains. Furthermore, the model enables to choose

Among about 20,000 pollen grains that land on a style many questions are still without answers. How many came from an inter-compatible tree [33, 60, 61, 62]. Now it is possible to design experiments to answer to such questions and to check whether competition between pollen grains does exist, not only between inter-incompatible and inter-compatible, but merely between inter-compatible pollen grains. Many observations sustained that only one pollen tube is detected in the style nearby the embryonic bag and only one reaches the ovule. This mechanism is not due to inter-incompatibility, but to some competition mechanism, which

The first feature at this stage is that even the distance between the style and the ovule is short, probably by less 2 mm, it is surprising that the pollen tube may reach the embryonic bag

may screen among pollen grains based on still unknown parameters.

mined under paper bags and to deduce this rate from fruit sets (Table 2, Figure 1).

also present in *Sevillano*.

302 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**7. Interests of the results**

pollinisers a priori for a set of varieties.

in S-alleles.

**8. Fertilization**

**8.1. Strange features**

Fruit fall is erratic from early fertilization and for 6-8 weeks, thus it is important to notice fruit sets under paper bags after this period unless the risk is to overestimate fruit sets. Fruit falls seems programmed in the olive and thus we suggest a working hypothesis: is there linkage between the S-locus and lethal genes leading to seed abortion?

In most species with high heterozygosity levels revealed by many studies with molecular markers to study the neutral genetic diversity, self-pollination decreases drastically not only the vigour of the plants but also the fitness that is the number of descents per female (Maize, Sunflower, other out-crossing species). The self-incompatibility model in the olive admits selffertility in most cultivars that may enhance homozygosity in progenies. Consequently, since we have not revealed yet homozygosity at the S-allele locus, we suggest this mechanism to eliminate these individuals.

#### **9. Fruit development**

We just address here which consequence may have the fertilization process on fruit develop‐ ment, but not all the aspects in quality of the compounds that did not result from the compat‐ ibility mechanism.

#### **9.1. Different phases**

The increase in size of the drupe is due to two different mechanisms. The young drupe accumulates water and cells are swollen, but also cells proliferate rapidly. The first sign in fruit differentiation is the hardening of the stone because sclerenchymous cells appeared. This step is very important about 50 days after fertilization because most nutritional resources are mobilized by this stage and all other parameters slowdown at this stage. Pulp development occurs then and oil starts to accumulate [66]. Oil content as oil composition is determined by the variety with little influence of the environment whereas other compounds (Sterols, phenols,) are much dependent of the environment [67].

#### **9.2. Parthenocarpic fruits (Shotberry)**

Self-pollination and cross-pollination modify the level of seedless fruits bore by most varieties [68]. The yield in shotberries is due to self-incompatibility and or inter-incompatibility and thus it is a sign that pollination is not optimal in the orchard. Some varieties display commonly different fruit size that result from fertilized and shotberries.

#### **9.3. Stone and embryo number**

The stone contains one embryo (seed), but some may contain no seed and some contains two seeds. Studies have shown that the average weight of fruits with two seeds is higher that those with one seed and those are higher that those with no seed. The seed number is variable between varieties and may indicate more or less that not enough inter-compatible pollen has landed on the stigma [69, 70]. By choosing now a priori inter-compatible varieties, it becomes possible to determine whether this suggestion is true or not.

The embryo number is an important parameter to forecast whether the drupes will fall easily before harvest or not. The more attached drupes contain two embryos [70]. If so, to enhance efficient pollen grain number in a monovarietal orchard could be obtained by enhancement of the adequate polliniser number. In the frame of the SSI model, the deficit in efficient pollen is crucial and if adequate pollen is lacking the orchard will never produce optimal yield. [20] have suggested based on fruit sets that *Picual* pollination is deficient in solid orchards under study, but they experimented that enhancement of cross pollination did not increase fruit set.

We suggest to them to reconsider the situation by reckoning the trees producing efficient pollen grains in the frame of the SSI model. Because *Picual* is *R1R2*, based on [59] data it is probably a bit self-fertile (S-II 0.21), the rate could be calibrated in different environments (varied temperature, watering/not watering, solid: mixed orchards) in Andalusia. However, *Picual* cannot be pollinated by any pollen grain harbouring the *R2* product (we suggest to call it P2) on its surface – that means it was produced on a variety carrying *R2* (as *Manzanilla*) and *R1* (as *Picholine R1R3* and *Cayon R1R4*), but this infers R1>R4, unless *R1* is masked by a dominant allele as in *Salonenque R3R5*--, but *Picual* is mated by *Arbequina* (R1R3) and *Cornicabra* (*R2R4*). Even with dominance as *R2* >*R1*, there is debate for *Manzanilla* that is given as self-fertile in Spain, but behaves as S-S in most other countries [71, 72] see discussion in [46, 73, 74]. Supposing it is the same *Manzanilla* carrying the same allele pair, [51]Bradley & Griggs (1963) have shown the effect of high temperature on the expression of S-I in this variety. This may explain the variation observed for a tree for the different quarters exposed to north and south as examples [37].

#### **10. Storage compound accumulation**

The different genetic origins of the flesh and the embryo make deep differences in compounds accumulated in these organs. The drupe tissues are of maternal origin and thus they all have the same genetic composition. Oil accumulated in the flesh has the same composition for all drupes of a variety (no genetic variance), but it may exist environmental effects. For phenol compounds the variation is important and is exploited through the appellations (AOP, DOP,...).

In contrast for the embryo, the genetic variability exists between fruits from two origins: firstly from the allele segregation of the mother plant, each ovule has a specific genetic composition, and second the diversity comes from the pollen grain genome, each pollen grain has also a specific genetic composition.

If the commercial olive oil should have between 55% to 85% of oleic acid, the oil in the embryo has usually less content in oleic acid (about 30%) and the major fat is the linoleic acid as in the sunflower oil. However, the fatty acid are not free but each esterifies a alcohol radical from glycerol and the different isomers are used to recognize appellations [68, 75].

At maturity the fruit composition are none influenced by the incompatibility system and are not addressed here.

### **11. Paternity tests used to unravel S-I mechanisms**

Researchers have tried to determine the father (the tree giving the pollen) of the fruits of one variety to look for better pollinisers. The problem is present and the molecular markers, now common to identify olive varieties, could probably enable such approach. The method in the olive has been initiated by [76,77, 78, 79], and then other publications have tried to identify the father in the progenies of different varieties, in Spain [80, 81], Italy (Unpublished)and France [82] (AFIDOL, Unpublished).

The meaning of the method is to identify the father, which has given some specific markers not present in the female tree, by its molecular pattern discriminate among those from all other olive cultivars.

#### **11.1. Molecular markers**

**9.2. Parthenocarpic fruits (Shotberry)**

304 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**9.3. Stone and embryo number**

as examples [37].

**10. Storage compound accumulation**

different fruit size that result from fertilized and shotberries.

possible to determine whether this suggestion is true or not.

Self-pollination and cross-pollination modify the level of seedless fruits bore by most varieties [68]. The yield in shotberries is due to self-incompatibility and or inter-incompatibility and thus it is a sign that pollination is not optimal in the orchard. Some varieties display commonly

The stone contains one embryo (seed), but some may contain no seed and some contains two seeds. Studies have shown that the average weight of fruits with two seeds is higher that those with one seed and those are higher that those with no seed. The seed number is variable between varieties and may indicate more or less that not enough inter-compatible pollen has landed on the stigma [69, 70]. By choosing now a priori inter-compatible varieties, it becomes

The embryo number is an important parameter to forecast whether the drupes will fall easily before harvest or not. The more attached drupes contain two embryos [70]. If so, to enhance efficient pollen grain number in a monovarietal orchard could be obtained by enhancement of the adequate polliniser number. In the frame of the SSI model, the deficit in efficient pollen is crucial and if adequate pollen is lacking the orchard will never produce optimal yield. [20] have suggested based on fruit sets that *Picual* pollination is deficient in solid orchards under study, but they experimented that enhancement of cross pollination did not increase fruit set.

We suggest to them to reconsider the situation by reckoning the trees producing efficient pollen grains in the frame of the SSI model. Because *Picual* is *R1R2*, based on [59] data it is probably a bit self-fertile (S-II 0.21), the rate could be calibrated in different environments (varied temperature, watering/not watering, solid: mixed orchards) in Andalusia. However, *Picual* cannot be pollinated by any pollen grain harbouring the *R2* product (we suggest to call it P2) on its surface – that means it was produced on a variety carrying *R2* (as *Manzanilla*) and *R1* (as *Picholine R1R3* and *Cayon R1R4*), but this infers R1>R4, unless *R1* is masked by a dominant allele as in *Salonenque R3R5*--, but *Picual* is mated by *Arbequina* (R1R3) and *Cornicabra* (*R2R4*). Even with dominance as *R2* >*R1*, there is debate for *Manzanilla* that is given as self-fertile in Spain, but behaves as S-S in most other countries [71, 72] see discussion in [46, 73, 74]. Supposing it is the same *Manzanilla* carrying the same allele pair, [51]Bradley & Griggs (1963) have shown the effect of high temperature on the expression of S-I in this variety. This may explain the variation observed for a tree for the different quarters exposed to north and south

The different genetic origins of the flesh and the embryo make deep differences in compounds accumulated in these organs. The drupe tissues are of maternal origin and thus they all have the same genetic composition. Oil accumulated in the flesh has the same composition for all

The tools to discriminate the father among other olive varieties are microsatellite markers widely developed for olive variety differentiation. To do that, the method consists to isolate seeds from fruits harvested on the female variety, to enable embryos to germinate in a seedling. Then for each seedling the DNA is prepared and each DNA profile using a series of microsa‐ tellite markers is recorded.

#### **11.2. Significance, physiology and genetics**

The method infers that all the possible fathers around the female tree have been analyzed with the same series of molecular markers. Consequently, the method is restricted to favourable environment, with a limited number of putative fathers.

The method is based on the effective pollination and further fertilization of the female by the male, which introduce a deep bias in the results, because the position of the male tree in the orchard can make the pollination easiest (under wind direction as example) than for other trees.

#### **11.3. Drawbacks**

Consequently, all found fathers in the progenies are surely inter-compatible with the female tree, but in anyway there is no response for all trees that had not given progenies with the female tree. The analysis of paternity data is therefore a bit frustrating for researchers, due to all negative results have no meaning.

#### **12. Main research tracks**

Architecture key genes that direct the shape of the trees are of interest to understand the best way to prune the trees. Their identification requires a specific genetic design, namely, to set up a progeny of about 200 trees between two varieties that display different shape without pruning. For the olive tree this step requires several tens of years.

Unravelling pollen-stigma interaction remains the main objective to handle accurately the Ralleles. Several approaches should be performed simultaneously, to enhance the chances to succeed in discovering this genes. Probably, international programs will sustain such tracks for the benefits of all.

#### **13. Conclusions**

#### **13.1. Self-sterility and allergens**

Crossing data from olive allergens (ten families) and from R-allele types (ten RxRy combina‐ tions), we did not find correlation that infers probably the genes that directed both mechanisms are not linked in the olive genome.

#### **13.2. Male sterility and self-sterility**

Many olive varieties do not produce pollen (*Farga*, Spain; *Chemlal de Kabylie*, Algeria, Lucques, Olivière,...), and some are deficient in pollen production (*Tanche*, France). These varieties cannot be used as male and their uses in genetic analyses to determine which S-alleles they carry may leave some doubt on the results, unless the varieties are used in a large number of crosses as *Lucques* and *Olivière* by [55,56, 83].

#### **13.3. Looking for new pollinisers**

Mates are systematically done with the same variety as female that may decrease the efficiency in identifying the S-alleles it carries. Consequently, we recommend to design crosses in both directions as much as it can be done.

#### **13.4. Self-sterility an inter-incompatibility**

Although the genetic of the system is simple (one locus with a few alleles), the mode of expression of the SI trait is very complex leading to enable mates even when parents carry the same alleles. Future research in this direction is probably to isolate the genes and proteins involved in the mechanism [84]. However, experiments to breed the olive are required [85].

We highlight in this chapter that most consequences still unrelated between most olive fruit development troubles come from the complex reproduction system of the olive tree. More details for each point addressed could be found in [86].

Acknowledgments Thanks are due to Pierre Villemur and Nathalie Moutier for helpful suggestions and discussion. This work was supported by the project "Patermed" coordinated by Stephane Anglès UMR 7533 LADYSS in the frame of the call ANR Systerra 2011-2014.

#### **14. Summary**

orchard can make the pollination easiest (under wind direction as example) than for other

Consequently, all found fathers in the progenies are surely inter-compatible with the female tree, but in anyway there is no response for all trees that had not given progenies with the female tree. The analysis of paternity data is therefore a bit frustrating for researchers, due to

Architecture key genes that direct the shape of the trees are of interest to understand the best way to prune the trees. Their identification requires a specific genetic design, namely, to set up a progeny of about 200 trees between two varieties that display different shape without

Unravelling pollen-stigma interaction remains the main objective to handle accurately the Ralleles. Several approaches should be performed simultaneously, to enhance the chances to succeed in discovering this genes. Probably, international programs will sustain such tracks

Crossing data from olive allergens (ten families) and from R-allele types (ten RxRy combina‐ tions), we did not find correlation that infers probably the genes that directed both mechanisms

Many olive varieties do not produce pollen (*Farga*, Spain; *Chemlal de Kabylie*, Algeria, Lucques, Olivière,...), and some are deficient in pollen production (*Tanche*, France). These varieties cannot be used as male and their uses in genetic analyses to determine which S-alleles they carry may leave some doubt on the results, unless the varieties are used in a large number of

Mates are systematically done with the same variety as female that may decrease the efficiency in identifying the S-alleles it carries. Consequently, we recommend to design crosses in both

pruning. For the olive tree this step requires several tens of years.

trees.

**11.3. Drawbacks**

all negative results have no meaning.

306 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

**12. Main research tracks**

for the benefits of all.

**13. Conclusions**

**13.1. Self-sterility and allergens**

are not linked in the olive genome.

**13.2. Male sterility and self-sterility**

**13.3. Looking for new pollinisers**

directions as much as it can be done.

crosses as *Lucques* and *Olivière* by [55,56, 83].

The olive tree displays specific features from the production of different flowers either hermaphrodite or staminate to maturation of fruits. Both types produce pollen, but more or less efficient as for female recipient. All steps are examined from a physiological and a genetic point of view to enable readers to well comprehend the key steps in flower and fruit produc‐ tion. The genetic system underlying the compatibility between pollen and stigma is explained in the frame of a new model, as well as the consequences for looking to polliniser trees to most varieties. Consequences in fruit set, seed development as seed fall are examined. The olive fruit is made of two parts one of maternal origin, the flesh, whereas the embryo has different genetic origins that explain some features in oil composition variation in different environments. Several hypotheses are suggested to explain the different specific features of the olive tree.

#### **Author details**

Catherine Breton1,3\* and André Bervillé2\*

\*Address all correspondence to: catherine.marie.breton@gmail.com catherine.breton@supa‐ gro.inra.fr

\*Address all correspondence to: berville@supagro.inra.fr

1 INRA, TGU-AGAP, Équipe DAVEM, 2 place Viala, Bât 21, Montpellier, France

2 INRA, UMR 1097 DIAPC. 2 place Viala, Bât 33, Montpellier, France

3 Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISE-M), UMR CNRS 5554 Place E. Ba‐ taillon, cc63, Bât 24, Montpellier, France

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314 The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

### *Edited by Danijela Poljuha and Barbara Sladonja*

The book "The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive" collects relevant papers documenting the results of research in grapevine and olive genetics, as a contribution to overall compendium of the existing biodiversity for both species with insight into molecular mechanisms responsible for their desirable and important traits. Book encompasses a broad and diverse palette of different topics related to grapevine and olive genetics, with no areal or any other strict limitation, keeping the title as a loose frame for borderless science. Divided in four sections it takes us for a "molecular walk" through different levels of genetic variability, uncovering the remains of still existing wild populations and treasures of neglected local peculiarities, weaving the network from plant to product and back to the beginning, to the hearth of all questions asked and answers hidden in genetics.

The Mediterranean Genetic Code - Grapevine and Olive

The Mediterranean

Genetic Code

Grapevine and Olive

*Edited by Danijela Poljuha and Barbara Sladonja*

Photo by ThomFoto / iStock