Trends in Genetics
Volume 22, Issue 9, September 2006, Pages 511-519
Journal home page for Trends in Genetics

Review
Historical origins and genetic diversity of wine grapes

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2006.07.008Get rights and content

The genomic resources that are available to the grapevine research community have increased enormously during the past five years, in parallel with a renewed interest in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) germplasm resources and analysis of genetic diversity in grapes. Genetic variation, either natural or induced, is invaluable for crop improvement and understanding gene function, and the same is true for the grapevine. The history and vineyard cultural practices have largely determined the genetic diversity that exists today in grapevines. In this article, we provide a synopsis of what is known about the origin and genetics of grapes and how molecular genetics is helping us understand more about this plant: its evolution, historical development, genetic diversity and potential for genetic improvement.

Section snippets

The current status of grape genomic resources

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is attractive for genomic research because it is diploid and has a small genome size of 475–500 Mb relative to other plants (it is approximately four times the size of Arabidopsis and one sixth the size of the corn genome) 1, 2, consisting of 19 chromosomes. The genotypes of grape varieties are highly heterozygous and nearly all modern cultivated varieties (cultivars) are hermaphroditic, self-fertile and out-cross easily. Over the past five years there has been

Historical overview

The grape is unique: not only is it a major global horticulture crop but it also has ancient historical connections with the development of human culture. The main product, wine, was considered divine, a drink of the gods: even Dionysus and Bacchus were dedicated to this beverage. Other Mediterranean cultures considered that ‘the wine sprang from the blood of humans who had fought the gods’ [3] and wine has always had a major role in the way of life of Mediterranean people [4].

In the Vitaceae

From the wild grapevine to varieties

How did V. vinifera evolve from the wild to the cultivated form? As already demonstrated for many other plant species 20, 21, molecular, genetic and genomic studies can help answer many questions about grape evolution and diversity. A better understanding of the exact status of the remaining wild grape populations and their relationships with existing varieties is important if we are to answer this question.

V. vinifera germplasm and genetic diversity

Molecular evidence shows that both sexual and asexual multiplication and mutations have had a major role in the expansion and diversification of grapevine. The number of different varieties held in germplasm collections around the world is estimated at ∼10 000 [7]. Nearly every wine-growing country has its own grapevine germplasm collection, owing to quarantine restrictions and the need to maintain the material in the field as living plants. As already mentioned for Mission cultivar, many names

Concluding remarks

Further research is required to determine accurately the extent and origin of existing genetic diversity, which is mostly confined to germplasm collections. A real possibility exists that some of these germplasm collections will be reduced in size, owing to dwindling resources, and many unique genotypes might be lost. Extensive DNA profiling of the grape varieties found in collections and the development of a common database would seem to be a priority to determine the true number of varieties

Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by CSIRO Plant Industry, the Commonwealth Cooperative Research Centre Program, specifically the Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture (CRCV) and the Grape and Wine Research and Development Cooperation (GWRDC), INRA and the French Ministry of Research and Agriculture. We thank J.P. Bruno for assistance with Figure 2.

Glossary

Ampelography
the scientific study of grapevine identification and classification using visual descriptors, for example, leaf shape and berry characters.
Cultivar
a cultivated variety.
Dioecious
male and female reproductive structures are on different individual plants.
Hermaphrodite
male and female reproductive structures are on the same plant; they are in the same flower in grapevine, enabling self fertilization.
Landrace
old cultivar of local importance.

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