Technical Yearbook 2024

AUGUST

High(er)-throughput evaluation of novel grapevine material for important traits By Melané Vivier

Introduction Several grapevine lines developed through breeding programmes, i.e., the South African rootstock breeding program and clonal selection programmes by various industry role players, hold a wealth of potentially valuable characteristics yet to be thoroughly analysed. The challenge lies in the time and costs associated with field studies. However, the prospect of quicker, informative pre-screens of potentially important material, leading to the selection of specific lines for more comprehensive field testing, holds promise for the future of grapevine production. The study’s first aim was to develop and evaluate lab-based ( in vitro ) screens for abiotic (environmental) and biotic (infection) stresses to provide alternatives or supplementary methods for classical field-based methods.

Abstract In a South African wine industry-funded study (IWBT B 14-01), researchers focused on selecting and screening ‘untested/poorly tested’ rootstock material for abiotic stress resistance phenotypes. The study also evaluated disease resistance phenotypes of potentially valuable grapevine material. The findings shed light on the importance of waxiness in protecting grape berries against fungal pathogen infection, providing useful insights for future breeding and evaluation programmes.

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2024