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Naturalised grapevines collected from arid regions in N orthern C hile exhibit a high level of genetic diversity
Author(s) -
MillaTapia A.,
Gómez S.,
Moncada X.,
León P.,
Ibacache A.,
Rosas M.,
Carrasco B.,
Hinrichsen P.,
ZuritaSilva A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian journal of grape and wine research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.65
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1755-0238
pISSN - 1322-7130
DOI - 10.1111/ajgw.12020
Subject(s) - genetic diversity , biology , germplasm , population , loss of heterozygosity , ecology , botany , allele , genetics , demography , gene , sociology
Background and Aims Grapevine introduction into S outh A merica occurred after S panish colonisation during the 16th century. In C hile, some vines were established in small villages and oases along the A tacama D esert. Considering that these plants have survived harsh environmental conditions, we explored and collected naturalised vines from 18°34′ LS (close to the P eruvian border) to 31°53′ LS , in order to understand their genetic nature and preserve this germplasm. Methods and Results Over 150 grapevine accessions were collected and characterised using 11 Simple Sequence Repeats ( SSR ) markers, to determine the genetic diversity and to propose a population structuring. SSR diversity was high, with observed heterozygosity ( H o = 0.87) greater than expected heterozygosity ( H e = 0.70). Three discrete genetic groups were identified, which did not show any association with geographical distribution. Groups 1 ( G1 ) and G3 had a higher level of genetic diversity and also an important level of heterozygosity. Conclusions The gene pool of naturalised grapevines from the A tacama D esert had a significant genetic diversity and exhibited an important level of heterozygote excess. Clustering of this diversity suggested that this naturalised grapevine germplasm would represent a novel source of allelic variants. Significance of the Study Naturalised and admixed genotypes are potential sources of new alleles, and are a unique source of diversity for grapevine breeding cultivars and/or rootstocks better adapted to the prospect of climate change.