Introduction of Pest and Disease Resistance from Muscadine Grapes to main Grapevine Cultivars and its use in Sao Paulo State

• Grant number: 92/00544-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: November 01, 1992
• End date: April 30, 1997
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Celso Valdevino Pommer
• Grantee: Celso Valdevino Pommer
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The main genetic source in breeding grapevine for resistance to biotic adversities is present in plants of Vitis rotundifolia, the Muscadine grape. However, due to its different chromosome number, interespecific crosses are difficult to accomplish and even in the case of success, hybrids are mostly infertile. The objectives of this project were: to develop methodology to overwhelm the phenomena involved in the process; to develop a technique for in vivo propagation of Muscadine plants, as well as a protocol for in vitro culture; identification of presumed hybrids through chromosome and/or molecular techniques; and to evaluate the performance of pure Muscadine grapes in some very humid conditions of São Paulo State. Results: I - in vitro propagation of V. rotundifolia is difficult, but development of the experiments allowed to accumulate sufficient knowledge for next steps; on the other hand, in vivo propagation has succeeded through simple methods. II - scientists of basic areas such as cytology and molecular genetics involved in the project, developed initial methodology in a satisfactory level. III - 50 interespecific crosses were done; embryo rescue technique was not effective to overwhelm the problem. Nevertheless, three hybrids were obtained. IV - experimental plots with more than 10 Muscadine cultivars were established, allowing daily observations; up to this time, varieties showed good vegetative development and excellent sanity, in relation to antracnose and downy mildew. (AU)