Intra-varietal genetic diversity in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars of Lebanon as revealed by ampelographic descriptors and ISSR markers

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) traditional cultivars of Lebanon have been subject to vegetative propagation for hundreds of years.
They may have accumulated somatic mutations that have not yet been sufficiently explored.
In this study, we investigate the intra-varietal diversity within four indigenous cultivars: ‘Obeidi’, ‘Merwah’, ‘Aswad’, and ‘Maryame’. A total of 27 accessions growing in different agroclimatic areas of the country were collected and submitted to ampelographic and ISSR characterization.
Ampelographic analysis indicated variability between accessions of a same cultivar mainly at bunch and berry level.
ISSR markers depicted variability among accessions reflecting more evidence in distinguishing divergent profiles within the four cultivars studied.
These findings suggest the existence of an important clonal diversity for the Lebanese grapevine germplasm and which should be further investigated through genetic identification and agronomic trials.

EHC2024: International Symposium on Viticulture and Winemaking between Tradition and Innovation

S. Khater, A. Chehade, A. Elbitar, J. Merheb, N. Karam, L. Chalak

Vitis vinifera L., indigenous cultivars, ampelography, ISSR, clonal diversity

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1418.33