R. Ocete

Multiple origins of cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sativa) based on chloroplast DNA polymorphisms.

The domestication of the Eurasian grape (Vitis vinifera ssp. sativa) from its wild ancestor (Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris) has long been claimed to have occurred in Transcaucasia where its greatest genetic diversity is found and where very early archaeological evidence, including grape pips and artefacts of a ‘wine culture’, have been excavated. Whether from Transcaucasia or the nearby Taurus or Zagros Mountains, it is hypothesized that this wine culture spread southwards and eventually westwards around the Mediterranean basin, together with the transplantation of cultivated grape cuttings. However, the existence of morphological differentiation between cultivars from eastern and western ends of the modern distribution of the Eurasian grape suggests the existence of different genetic contribution from local sylvestris populations or multilocal selection and domestication of sylvestris genotypes. To tackle this issue, we analysed chlorotype variation and distribution in 1201 samples of sylvestris and sativa genotypes from the whole area of the species’ distribution and studied their genetic relationships. The results suggest the existence of at least two important origins for the cultivated germplasm, one in the Near East and another in the western Mediterranean region, the latter of which gave rise to many of the current Western European cultivars. Indeed, over 70% of the Iberian Peninsula cultivars display chlorotypes that are only compatible with their having derived from western sylvestris populations.

Genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations in Spain and their genetic relationships with cultivated grapevines

The wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, considered as the ancestor of the cultivated grapevine, is native from Eurasia. In Spain, natural populations of V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris can still be found along river banks. In this work, we have performed a wide search of wild grapevine populations in Spain and characterized the amount and distribution of their genetic diversity using 25 nuclear SSR loci. We have also analysed the possible coexistence in the natural habitat of wild grapevines with naturalized grapevine cultivars and rootstocks. In this way, phenotypic and genetic analyses identified 19% of the collected samples as derived from cultivated genotypes, being either naturalized cultivars or hybrid genotypes derived from spontaneous crosses between wild and cultivated grapevines. The genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations was similar than that observed in the cultivated group. The molecular analysis showed that cultivated germplasm and wild germplasm are genetically divergent with low level of introgression. Using a model‐based approach implemented in the software structure, we identified four genetic groups, with two of them fundamentally represented among cultivated genotypes and two among wild accessions. The analyses of genetic relationships between wild and cultivated grapevines could suggest a genetic contribution of wild accessions from Spain to current Western cultivars.

Growth and photosynthetic responses to copper in wild grapevine

The present study evaluates the tolerance and accumulation potential of Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris under moderate and high external Cu levels. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effects of a range of external Cu concentrations (0-23mmolL(-1)) on growth and photosynthetic performance by measuring gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and photosynthetic pigments. We also measured the total copper, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and sodium concentrations in the plant tissues. All the experimental plants survived even with external Cu concentrations as high as 23mmolL(-1) (1500mg Cu L(-1)), although the excess of metal resulted in a biomass reduction of 35%. The effects of Cu on growth were linked to a reduction in net photosynthesis, which may be related to the effect of the high concentration of the metal on photosynthetic electron transport. V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris survived with leaf Cu concentrations as high as 80mgkg(-1) DW and growth parameters were unaffected by leaf tissue concentrations of 35mg Cu kg(-1) DW. The results of our study indicate that plants of V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris from the studied population are more tolerant to Cu than the commercial varieties of grapevine that have been studied in the literature, and could constitute a basis for the genetic improvement of Cu tolerance in grapevine.

Forecasting the flight activity of Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) in Southwestern Spain

This study aimed at elaborating a forecasting tool of the phenology of the serious pest Lobesia botrana in Southwestern Spanish vineyards, by analysing data on male catches in sex pheromone traps recorded over a 12‐year period. Our data confirmed the minor importance of the first generation which appears during flowering time, both in terms of male trap catches and damage of L. botrana to the inflorescences. Therefore, data related to the first flight were not further processed, although they were considered for the computation of degree‐days of the following generations. The outcome of the elaboration of temperature accumulations and data on male captures for the second and third flights was a statistically acceptable linear behaviour obtained by properly transforming the variables. The models established proved to be efficient and may represent a useful tool to improve the efficacy of integrated pest management strategies targeting L. botrana in the studied region.

Growth inhibitory activity of Daphne gnidium L. (Thymelaeaceae) extracts on the elm leaf beetle (Col., Chrysomelidae)

Abstract:  An investigation has been performed on the activity of spurge flax (Daphne gnidium L., Thymelaeaceae), a typical component of the Mediterranean vegetation, on the development of the elm leaf beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola Muller; Col., Chrysomelidae), one of the most serious defoliators of urban forests. Different concentrations of ethanolic extracts of D. gnidium leaves were added to the natural diet (elm leaf discs) of X. luteola, starting with L2 larvae, and the effects induced on the vitality, growth and phase duration of the different stages have been evaluated. A significant reduction of larval survival and adult emergence, together with an increased length of the larval period, heavy reduction of weight gain and appearance of malformations in emerged imagines were observed in presence of spurge flax extracts. These findings agree to ascribe to D. gnidium leaf extracts a growth inhibitory activity and allowed identifying what should be the optimal concentration to be applied on elm leaves to prevent heavy damages by X. luteola.

Seasonal Trends in the Social Composition and Inside-Trunk Distribution of Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) Colonizing Grapevines

ABSTRACT The polyphagous drywood termite Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius) can establish its colonies inside living trees, causing a progressive debilitation that ends with the death of the plant. For this reason, it is considered one of the major pests of Sherry vineyards in Andalusia, SW Spain. To analyze the trends of colonization of this termite, a detailed investigation was performed during 16 mo in seven districts of the Sherry area, cutting randomly selected grapevine trunks into six sections, from which all individuals were collected and counted according to their developmental instar or caste. The results detected variations in the social composition of the groups colonizing grapevines according to the spatial distribution inside the vine trunk and in the numerical trends over the seasons. A pattern of seasonal migrations of the termites inside the trunk was inferred, with upward movements from spring to autumn and downward movements from autumn to winter. During winter, when termites were mainly located in the medium-basal sections of the trunk, a higher proportion of eggs and larvae was detected. Going from spring to summer, when the majority of the termites was located in the medium-upper sections of the trunk, there was an increase of nymphal instars followed, during autumn, by the appearance of alates, mostly located in the upper sections of the grapevine. Pseudergates and reproductives maintained their proportions and locations almost unchanged during the year.

Current distribution and characterization of the wild grapevine populations in Andalusia (Spain)

For decades, human activities have gradually destroyed the natural habitats of wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, and nowadays this species is endangered in southern Europe. In this paper, 94 populations of this species have been localized and characterized in the Andalusian region in the Iberian Peninsula between 1989 and 2013. Location, ecological aspects, and sanitary characteristics are described. Must properties and in vitro tolerance to calcareous conditions were also checked. The paper also contains a global description of female and male individuals. Two hundred individuals from six river basin populations have been sampled, and their genetic structure analyzed by using 25 nuclear microsatellites loci to investigate the gene diversity of wild grape populations in Andalusia at two levels: total individuals and at river basin populations. Also, the genetic relationship of wild and cultivated accessions has been tested. Wild grapevine is considered the ancestor of the cultivated varieties and should be preserved as this material could be used to start breeding programs of cultivated varieties and also to restore riverbank forests, which constitute one of the worst preserved ecosystems in the area.

Ex situ ampelographical characterisation of wild Vitis vinifera from fifty‐one Spanish populations

Background and Aims Wild grapevine, considered the ancestor relative of cultivated vines, has a large gene pool that is currently endangered in Europe. These plants can contribute to improving adaptation capacity to stresses due to climate change. The aim of this study was to evaluate the key ampelographic traits to identify true wild individuals supporting the preservation and use of wild populations. Methods and Results Prospections performed since 2002 enabled the inventory of 51 localities with wild grapevines, most of which were located along Spanish riverbank forests. A morphological study of 192 individuals grafted in the grapevine collection of El Encin (Alcala de Henares, Spain) was carried out ex situ, and results were compared with data from 182 Spanish commercial cultivars grown in the same collection. Wild individuals presented morphological differences with cultivars, but only a few significant differences were found within wild individuals when comparing their geographic origin and plant sex. Ten morphological traits were relevant to discriminate wild and cultivated specimens. Conclusions Ampelography, supported by previous molecular screening, is recommended to identify wild grape plants, although it is not advisable to establish relationships among wild genotypes by geographical location or gender. Significance of the Study Results are expected to contribute to improved discovery, preservation and use of this important phytogenetic resource.

El impacto antrópico sobre la vid silvestre en el territorio de Lapurdi (suroeste de Francia)

espanolEn este trabajo se hace una introduccion al unico taxon euroasiatico de vid silvestre, Vitis vinifera L . subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, al proceso de su domesticacion y a las causas antropicas que han mermado drasticamente las poblaciones de esta subespecie, desde la Peninsula Iberica hasta Afganistan. Asimismo, se hace referencia al problema de la perdida de biodiversidad del vinedo y se subraya la importancia de estas parras autoctonas para mitigar esa erosion gene- tica. En el mismo se senala que, pese a la ley de proteccion de este parental de las viniferas cultivadas en Francia, se ha producido una importante perdida de ejemplares en esta zona. Segun nues- tras observaciones, comenzadas en 1992 y contrastadas con las de 2015, algunas zonas cu- biertas con vegetacion climax atlantica han sido completamente destruidas en las inmediaciones de St. Jean de Luz, concretamente en la zona de Acotz-Chibau. Por otra parte, se incluye la informacion cartografica de las poblaciones relictas de vid silvestre que aun se conservan, con el fin de facilitar las tareas de conservacion in situ de las mismas. Tambien se recogen datos sobre la vegetacion acompanante y el estado sanitario actual de las parras. EuskaraLan honek sarrera egiten dio Eurasian dagoen basamahatsetako taxon bakarrari, Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi subespeziekoari hain zuzen ere, bere etxekotze prozesuari eta bai gizakiaren eraginez subespezie horren populazioek jasandako murrizketa handiari ere, Iberiar Penintsulatik Afganistaneraino. Halaber, mahastien biodibertsitatearen galeraren arazoari egiten zaio erreferentzia, tokian tokiko mahats-parren garrantzia azpimarratuz galtze genetiko hori ekiditeko. Lanean aipatzen da ezen, nahiz eta Frantzian landatutako mahats-guraso hori babesteko legea indarrean izan den, ale galera garrantzitsua jazo dela eremu horretan. Gure behaketen arabera, 1992an hasitakoak eta 2015ekoekin alderatuta, atlantiar erako klimax-landaredidun eremu bat- zuk guztiz hondatu dira Donibane Lohizuneko inguruetan, zehazki, Akotze-Xibauko aldean. Bestalde, oraindik erlikia moduan mantentzen diren basamahatsen populazioei buruzko infor- mazio kartografikoa sartu da, horien kontserbazio-lanak tokian-tokian errazteko asmoz. Landa- redi laguntzailearen eta mahatsondoen egungo osasun-egoerari buruzko datuak ere sartu dira EnglishThis paper introduces the only Euriasian taxon of the wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L . subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, its domestication and the anthropic causes that have drastically reduced the populations of this subspecies from the Iberian Peninsula to Afghanistan. Besides, reference is made to the problem of the loss of biodiversity in the vineyard and to the importance of this native vine in order to reduce that genetic erosion. On the other hand, it is pointed out that, although this parental of the cultured grapevine is protected by law in France, a major loss of specimens has occurred in this region. According to our observations, which began in 1992 and were verified in 2015, several areas covered with Atlantic climax vegetation were completely destroyed near St. Jean de Luz, specifically, in the Acotz-Chibau area. Cartographic information concerning the remaining relict populations of wild grapevines is in- cluded in order to facilitate in situ conservation work. Furthermore, data on the accompanying vegetation and the health status of the grapevines are also presented.