On the genetic relationships and origins of six grape cultivars of Galicia (Spain) using RAPD markers

Abstract

The genetic relationships within a group of ancient grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivated in a limited area in the Northwest of Spain (Galicia) and the relationships of these varieties with foreign ancient germplasm cultivated in different regions of Spain, France, and Germany were surveyed using RAPD markers. The intralaboratory RAPD reproducibility has been quantified. This study proved that, eliminating weak bands and bands over 1600 bp, the RAPD markers are useful for most intralaboratory applications, and it is not critical to repeat amplifications to obtain coherent studies of genetic relationships. Twenty-nine primers were selected and they produced 260 clear and reproducible RAPD bands in the 16 grapevine varieties studied. Genetic relationships were established by unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis and also by studying RAPD fragments of low frequency. Galician varieties, cultivated since ancient times in this region, were not very similar because some were probably introduced in Galicia from different viticultural areas and have diverse origins. However, five varieties cultivated in a wide area of Spain formed a well defined group significantly separated from the rest. Moreover, varieties that share a supposed common origin and some morphological traits were generally grouped: Airén and Malvar, Pinot noir and Chardonnay, and Albariño and Caíño blanco.