Third Center of Domestication: Interaction between Genetics and Archaeological Sciences in Lands Devoted to Biodiversity of Grapevine Varieties

Abstract

Genetic research into grapevines identifies the Third Center of Variety Domestication in central-southern Italy. The many stories written "on wine", even though molecular archaeology, do not mention it. Here we present the application of a different analytical system. Archaeology introduces into Genetics the components of Space (places and materials) and Time (documented history). The genetic relationships of vine varieties combine with those who identified them, places devoted to cultivation and containers for transportation. The Third Center becomes a defined geographical, historical and cultural setting and a macro-terroir, useful to the cultural and production growth of current vine growers. Originally it was called Siritis (from Siris, an Ionian colony in southern Italy with its grapevine varieties named Siricae) then it became Sibaritide, Enotria and finally land of Amineae. The varieties selected here combine and colonise the western Mediterranean. Pinot Noir, Syrah and Aglianico with their genetic relationship are among the examples on which the research is founded. Then it's the first time that grapevines varieties enter directly a history, with their names and not a generic reference to the viticulture. The link of genetics to history gives their correct cultural and chronological location.Keywords: Genetics; Archaeology; Vine variety; Enotria; Pinot; Syrah; Aglianico The Basic Assumption and MethodsIn a context populated by fantasies and suggestions about wine, and the web is full of them, it cannot rely on the randomness of a partial or indistinct knowledge of moments, conditions and situations, if they are documented by written sources and archaeological data. In a proven chain from multi-disciplinary research, these are the basis for setting up viticulture within a Domestication Center, the large geographic and cultural area where wild vines have been changed in domestic varieties, selected and cultivated. The story of each one is a piece of a complex mosaic, varied and intertwined, which sketches out the evolution of viticulture in Mediterranean territories and its expansion inland in Europe [1,2].When a history of the grapevine and wine wants to be truly effective and not only evoking it is essential to have the history of each variety from ancient times to today. Detailed studies, whether into the relative relationships or into the historical and anthropological dynamics that locally has guided the cultivation, distribution and duration of varieties, are the main tools to keep viticulture in close relationship with the territories and produce uniqueness to support market competitiveness. The vine, the grape and the resulting wine are then cultural markers and the terroir becomes the product of the field and the work of the farmer considered in relation to the centuries [3]. Their aim joined to Cultural Heritage comes from their history and now the strict relationship with cultural human evolution and archaeological finds change finally a generic pot for wine into a pot used to trade 'tha...

Scientific Study of Horticulture: A Lucrative Earth in Future

“…Akram et al [2] found that, application of 100 kg ha -1 Phosphorus and 120 kg ha -1 Potassium to the chili plants resulted in optimal plant height; increased number of branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits per plant; enhanced fruit length, girth, and weight; enhanced seed weight and Phosphorus percentage. Lungo [3] conducted a study on the origin of grapevines, where grapevine varieties are annotated in history with their names and not by a generic reference notation. Ali and Mehmood [4], performed micro-propagation of Banana in Pakistan.…”

“…The grape cultivars were later spread from Georgia, to the Middle-East, the Near-East, and Central Europe, which constituted the secondary domestication centers. According to Lungo [3], genetic research identifies central-southern Italy as the 'Third Center of Grape Domestication' , which represents the third stage of the journey of the vine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) and vine related culture (ability to domesticate, cultivate, select, and spread) either together ('demic diffusion') or separately ('cultural diffusion') from the Caucasus to the Western world. However, molecular archaeology studies do not give any credence to it.…”