Wild North American grapes are now less of a mystery after an international team of researchers led by the University of California, Davis, decoded and catalogued the genetic diversity of nine species of this valuable wine crop.
The , published in the journal Genome Biology, uncovers critical traits that could accelerate grape breeding efforts, particularly in tackling challenges like climate change, saline environments and drought.
鈥淭his research marks a significant step in understanding the genetics of grapevines,鈥 said Dario 颁补苍迟霉, the senior author on the journal article and a professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology. 鈥淚t lays the groundwork for future advancements in grape breeding by identifying key genes responsible for important traits.鈥
The research team developed and used state-of-the-art technology to construct a comprehensive pangenome, which is a complete genetic blueprint, of wild grape species.
This so-called super-pangenome of nine species allowed the team to map genetic diversity, identify similarities or differences among them, and pinpoint specific traits that breeders may want to incorporate. First author No茅 Cochetel, a postdoctoral researcher in 颁补苍迟霉鈥檚 lab, did the analyses and played a pivotal role in the project.
It is the first North American wild grape pangenome to be mapped and catalogued, 颁补苍迟霉 said.
鈥淭his offers tremendous potential for advancing sustainable grape cultivation, especially in regions facing water scarcity challenges,鈥 said 颁补苍迟霉, a plant biologist who also holds the Louis P. Martini Endowed chair. 鈥淭his pangenome will enable further genetic exploration of other vital adaptive traits, essential for industry resilience, like drought tolerance, heat resistance and defense against Pierce鈥檚 disease.鈥
Caused by a strain of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, Pierce鈥檚 disease kills grapevines by clogging their water-conducting vessels.
Wild grape pros and cons
North American grapes are known for their resistance to disease and adaptability, but they are not favored for taste and wine quality. European grapevines like chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon are less resistant to diseases but are renowned for producing high-quality wines.
North American species have a wide geographic range. As a consequence, they have evolved to withstand diverse climatic, soil and pathogen conditions, encompassing a broad spectrum of genetic diversity.
That is why nearly all wine grapes produced worldwide are from European vines grafted onto North American rootstocks.
Ability to select traits
The detailed pangenome will empower breeders to selectively incorporate desired traits from wild grapes, such as salt tolerance, while avoiding less desirable characteristics.
鈥淪alt tolerance is a crucial trait for rootstocks,鈥 颁补苍迟霉 noted. 鈥淚dentifying these traits at a genetic level is a major advancement for grape breeding.鈥
Andrea Minio, Jadran F. Garcia, Rosa Figueroa-Balderas and M茅lanie Massonnet from 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis contributed to the research, as did experts from Cornell University, 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Irvine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 Agricultural Research Service and Human Technopole in Italy.
Funding from the National Science Foundation, the E&J Gallo Winery and Louis P. Martini Endowment in Viticulture supported the research. The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis Genome Center, of which 颁补苍迟霉 is a member, performed sequencing.
Media Resources
Media Contacts:
- Dario 颁补苍迟霉, Viticulture and Enology, dacantu@ucdavis.edu
- Emily C. Dooley, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 530-650-6807, ecdooley@ucdavis.edu
- Amy Quinton, News and Media Relations, 530-601-8077, amquinton@ucdavis.edu
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