The Cypriot indigenous grapevine germplasm is a multi-clonal varietal mixture
Journal
Plants
Date Issued
August 2020
DOI
10.3390/plants9081034
Abstract
Cypriot vineyards are considered as one among the earliest niches of viticulture and
a pivotal hub for the domestication and dissemination of grapevine. The millennial presence of
Vitis spp. in this Eastern Mediterranean island has given rise to a plethora of biotypes that have
not been adequately characterized, despite their unique attributes and stress tolerance. This ancient
germplasm also has an additional value since it survived the phylloxera outbreak; hence, it possesses
a large amount of genetic diversity that has been unnoticed. In order to provide useful insights to
the lineage of Cypriot vineyards, a two-year-spanning collection of centennial grapevine cultivars
mostly regarded to belong to four indigenous variety clusters (“Mavro”, “Xynisteri”, “Maratheftiko”,
and “Veriko”) was initiated. There were 164 accessions across the broader Commandaria wine zone
sampled and characterized using a universal microsatellite primer set. Genetic analysis indicated
that considered indigenous Cypriot germplasm has a polyclonal structure with a high level of
heterozygosity. Moreover, several lineages or unexplored varieties may exist, since a larger than
considered number of discrete genotypes was discovered. Furthermore, it was established that
grapevine lineages in Cyprus were shaped across eras via clonal, as well as, sexual propagation.
The special attributes of the Cypriot landscape are discussed.
a pivotal hub for the domestication and dissemination of grapevine. The millennial presence of
Vitis spp. in this Eastern Mediterranean island has given rise to a plethora of biotypes that have
not been adequately characterized, despite their unique attributes and stress tolerance. This ancient
germplasm also has an additional value since it survived the phylloxera outbreak; hence, it possesses
a large amount of genetic diversity that has been unnoticed. In order to provide useful insights to
the lineage of Cypriot vineyards, a two-year-spanning collection of centennial grapevine cultivars
mostly regarded to belong to four indigenous variety clusters (“Mavro”, “Xynisteri”, “Maratheftiko”,
and “Veriko”) was initiated. There were 164 accessions across the broader Commandaria wine zone
sampled and characterized using a universal microsatellite primer set. Genetic analysis indicated
that considered indigenous Cypriot germplasm has a polyclonal structure with a high level of
heterozygosity. Moreover, several lineages or unexplored varieties may exist, since a larger than
considered number of discrete genotypes was discovered. Furthermore, it was established that
grapevine lineages in Cyprus were shaped across eras via clonal, as well as, sexual propagation.
The special attributes of the Cypriot landscape are discussed.
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