Ecology and Genetics of Natural Populations of North American Vitis Species Used as Rootstocks in European Grapevine Breeding Programs

Abstract

Three North American Vitis species (V. riparia, V. berlandieri, V. rupestris) became widely used in rootstock breeding programs following the expansion of North American pests and diseases introduced in vineyards of the world during the 19th century. When they escape, they become feral in the most dynamic parts of Mediterranean floodplains. To better understand this ongoing process, we studied the ecology of Vitis species in their native sympatric range. We analyzed in deep 61 plots of 710 m2 containing Vitaceae species along 216 km of the Buffalo River and adjacent plateaus (Arkansas, United States). We investigated the populations structure and genetics of the Vitis complex (i.e., possible hybrids and the Vitis species) and the sharing of habitats with other Vitaceae (Muscadinia rotundifolia and Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Vitaceae share space according to their life strategies and microhabitat along ecological gradients. The plateau niche seems optimal for V. berlandieri and V. aestivalis. V. berlandieri is also found in alluvial zones. The most erosive parts of the river are colonized by V. rupestris, whereas the first terraces include most of the M. rotundifolia populations. Vitis riparia and Parthenocissus live in the largest range of forest habitats, from plateaus to alluvial forests, and from the forest floor to the canopy, with the highest densities along the river. Interestingly, natural hybridization can occur, but establishment success is rare and limited to alluvial forests. In their native range, these populations are controlled by biotic and abiotic conditions. In Europe, the biotic relations among species are different. Our study shows that V. riparia and its hybrids could be the best candidates for a large scale invasion.

Genetic diversity and population structure in Vitis species illustrate phylogeographic patterns in eastern North America

“…The genetic structure of the western North American species V. californica and V. girdiana, has been analysed in relation with the detrimental effects of hybridization with cultivated V. vinifera (Dangl et al, 2015). Finally, high and similar genetic diversity was recently observed in several Vitis species along a very short transect in Arkansas (Arnold & Schnitzler, 2020).…”

A tale of three vines: current and future threats to wild Eurasian grapevine by vineyards and invasive rootstocks

“…V. acerifolia and V. aestivalis have a restricted range in south-central United States (USDA and NRCS, 2021; Figure 1). Taken together, these American Vitis are thus adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions and forest structures (André et al, 2020;Arnold & Schnitzler, 2020;Arrigo & Arnold, 2007;Callen et al, 2016;Heinitz et al, 2019;Marín et al, 2021;Morano & Walker, 1995).…”

Grapevine Gene Systems for Resistance to Gray Mold Botrytis cinerea and Powdery Mildew Erysiphe necator

“…), V. labrusca L.). Due to its ability to be easily crossed with V. vinifera, these wild species are actively and successfully used in breeding as a rootstock, providing resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses [5,12,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]. However, grape breeding is a slow process, for example, only after six successive crosses between Vitis vinifera and Muscadinia rotundifolia the complete resistance to powdery mildew was developed, which was associated with the transfer of the Run1 resistance gene to V. vinifera [53].…”