Evaluation of clonal variability of cv. Refošk (Vitis vinifera L.) by ampelographic parameters and microsatellite analysis

Abstract

Twenty - one clone candidates or elites from the basic collection in the Kras winegrowing district of cv. Refošk, were studied in order to assess their genetic and morphological variability. Morphological variability was evaluated with 71 phyllometric variables or 30 less environment dependent variables, which were then used in cluster analysis. Both resultant dendrograms combined the majority of elites into closely related groups, except elite 50, which did not group with any of the analyzed elites. Microsatellites were used for the assessment of genetic variability among elites. The allelic profile at 5 microsatellite loci (VVS2, VVS4, VVMD6, VVMD7 and VVMD8) was identical for 20 elites, while elite 50 showed an unique allelic profile at all analyzed loci. Microsatellite analysis was proven to be relatively fast and simple, providing reliable results in comparison with well established ampelography. However, a combination of both methods was found useful in evaluation of variability among elites, especially when clones are phenotypically heterogenous and of unknown genetic origin, as in the case of the cv. Refošk basic collection.