Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris (Gmeli) Hegi populations in Southern Portugal: assessing the genetic diversity for its future management and conservation

Abstract

A survey of Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris (Gmeli) Hegi in Portugal has revealed the existence of wildvine populations that occur only in riparian wood habitats on river margins, as is the case for other European populations. The genetic diversity of four populations has been evaluated using nuclear and chloropastidial microsatellites as molecular markers. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), showed that most of the genetic diversity was attributable to differences among individuals within populations. Only 7% of the total variance was attributable among populations; suggesting the existence of a low level of population differentiation. Chloroplastidial microsatellites revealed the expected situation for the Iberian Peninsula, (i.e. the presence of only chlorotypes A and B; with chlorotype A as the most frequent within the wild-vine populations). The diversity obtained is a starting point for the management and conservation of wild-vines in situ and ex situ. Several measurements have to be taken to maintain their natural habitat, and in order to preserve its diversity.

Keywords

• genetic diversity
• management and conservation
• nuclear and chloroplastidial microsatellites
• vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris