Genetic Characterization of Grape Cultivars from Apulia (Southern Italy) and Synonymies in Other Mediterranean Regions

Abstract

45 grape accessions, traditional and historically mentioned in Apulia (south eastern Italy), were genotyped at 13 microsatellite (SSR) markers and observed for their morphological features with the aim of characterizing and identifying the local grape diversity relevant for economic or historical significance, or for endangered germplasm conservation. 12 of the 45 accessions examined were found to be synonyms or somatic mutants, leaving 33 distinct genotypes. Attempts were then made to verify the true identities of the accessions investigated and to determine their appropriate denominations. This entailed comparing them with published allelic profiles and morphological features of cultivars from Apulia, and also from surrounding areas historical linked to the region.

While confirming the identity of the major Apulian grapes, further matches with varieties from other Mediterranean regions were revealed. Around half of the Apulian grape cultivars investigated were found to have a foreign counterpart mainly along the Adriatic sea (Croatia), in Greece, or in other southern Italian regions. The new synonymies found with grapes traditional to other areas shed light on the migration of grapes following the settlement of colonies and the establishment of Mediterranean trade routes in the past.