Naturalised Vitis Rootstocks in Europe and Consequences to Native Wild Grapevine

Abstract

The genus Vitis is represented by several coexisting species in Europe. Our study focuses on naturalised rootstocks that originate in viticulture. The consequences of their presence to the landscape and to native European species (Vitis vinifera ssp. silvestris) are evaluated. This study compares ecological traits (seven qualitative and quantitative descriptors) and the genetic diversity (10 SSR markers) of populations of naturalised rootstocks and native wild grapevines. 18 large naturalised rootstock populations were studied in the Rhône watershed. Wild European grapevines are present in four main habitats (screes, alluvial forests, hedges, and streamside hedges). In contrast, naturalised rootstock populations are mainly located in alluvial forests, but they clearly take advantage of alluvial system dynamics and connectivity at the landscape level. These latter populations appear to reproduce sexually, and show a higher genetic diversity than Vitis vinifera ssp. silvestris. The regrouping of naturalised rootstocks in interconnected populations tends to create active hybrid swarms of rootstocks. The rootstocks show characters of invasive plants. The spread of naturalised rootstocks in the environment, the acceleration of the decline of the European wild grapevine, and the propagation of genes of viticultural interest in natural populations are potential consequences that should be kept in mind when undertaking appropriate management measures.

Comparison of a retrotransposon-based marker with microsatellite markers for discriminating accessions of Vitis vinifera

“…This indicated that the large number of alleles for rootstock varieties was due to not only the largest number of individuals included in this group but also to the high genetic diversity among the accessions comprising this group. Furthermore, the allele size range for each locus in rootstock accessions was clearly larger (Supplementary Table 2), as has been reported by Arrigo and Arnold (2007). The genetic distance measured using CS Chord revealed a high level of genetic variation among the varieties tested.…”

Scientific Opinion on the risk to plant health posed by Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch) in the EU territory, with the identification and evaluation of risk reduction options

“…Over the last 150 years, the distribution of the wild grapevine in Europe has been reduced dramatically almost to extinction, related (a) to the arrival of new pests from North America including phylloxera (Arnold et al, 2005) and (b) to hybridisation between wild European populations of V. vinifera subsp. silvestris and naturalised Vitis genotypes introduced for rootstock selection and production (Arrigo and Arnold, 2007;Di Vecchi-Staraz et al, 2009;Terral et al, 2010;Zecca et al, 2010;Ocete et al, 2011). The impact of phylloxera on the small remaining wild grapevine populations is limited because the natural habitats of wild grapevine are in areas prone to flooding that are less suitable for the pest (Terral et al, 2010;Ocete et al, 2011Ocete et al, , 2012.…”

Tolerance to Lime - Induced Chlorosis and Drought in Grapevine Rootstocks

“…At present, grafting European varieties on pathogen-resistant rootstock is a normal procedure and many rootstock varieties have been developed by plant breeders (Arrigo & Arnold, 2007).…”