Slovenian grapevine germplasm

Abstract

Collecting and preserving the genetic pool of the genus Vitis is an important task that we have in Slovenia systematically addressed already in 1980. The possibility to choose between different genotypes gives breeders an opportunitiy to develope of new varieties, both in terms of selection (selecting clones of the variety), as well as the integration of interesting features into the existing genetic combinations (making resistant varieties). It is very important that we have collected and preserved our old grapevine varieties which were in danger of estinction and are/were grown only in our country. This is especially true for indigenous grape varieties that are exclusively part of our natural heritage and they can not be found in other wine regions. Slovenian grapevine germplasm is divided into two parts, namely the collection of old grapevine varieties and the collection of new selected grapevine clones and rootstocks. Collections in situ are planted at three locations, (1) a collection of about fifty old grapevine varieties that are constantly updated in ampelographic garden BF in Kromberk in Nova Gorica, (2) a collection of 29 new selected clones on the location Litmerk near Ormož and (3) a collection of 10 new selected clones in Vipava. In addition to the three main sites there are four auxiliary locations, collection of new selected clones in Pleterje, Čurile near Metlika, Gadova peč, and a collection of old indigenous vine varieties in Dobrovo in Goriška brda. All collected accessions are included in the program of ampelographic description carried out according to the prescribed methodology descriptors issued by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) and International Union for Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), and a total volume of 130 description of morphological features is done. The work is done gradually, basic description was expanded to a full phylometric processing. Till 1999, we were also involved as collaborators in the European project GENRES. All our collected grapevine varieties were entered in the "Liste Internationale des Variétés de Vigne et leurs Synonymes", issued by OIV.