Unlocking the genetic potential of grapevine for sustainable production

Background

Photo: D-T. Pham

The majority of major wine producing grapevine varieties planted in vineyards have been produced through clonal propagation. This has narrowed grapevines genetic diversity and leaves them susceptible to climate change and disease pressures. Furthermore, the area suitable for grapevine production in major wine growing regions has been predicted to decrease by at least 25% by 2050, and potentially up to 73%. At the same time, new regions will become climatically suitable; however, how current varieties will adapt to these new regions is unknown.

Objectives/aims

This project will explore the genetic factors that underpin natural variation in reproductive development and yield, specifically inflorescence primordia development and how this relates to bunch number and bunch architecture in established and alternative varieties. The project will also explore how temperature and management differentially affect selected grapevine varieties using molecular and phenotypic characterisation. The outcomes of this research will inform variety/clonal selection for a changing climate.