Breeding of new disease-tolerant grape varieties – Viticulture in times of climatic change

Abstract

The State Institute of Viticulture and Oenology (WBI) Freiburg Germany has been breeding disease-tolerant grape varieties (Piwis) since the 1930s. Since that time, 15 fungus-resistant white and red wine varieties and 4 table grape varieties have been cultivated. All these grape varieties are approved as Vitis vinifera. Until now, fungus resistance has been the focus of breeding work. Due to climate changings, it will be necessary in future to delay budding and ripening of grapevines. This would protect the vines from late frosts in spring and delay the ripening of the berries in autumn. In addition, the loosening of the grape structure and dry resistance will be future breeding goals. To improve the resistance and a later ripeness of the berries, new grape varieties which are currently being tested have been developed in cooperation with the INRA in Colmar (France).