AUTHOR=Arnold Claire , Schnitzler Annik 

TITLE=Ecology and Genetics of Natural Populations of North American Vitis Species Used as Rootstocks in European Grapevine Breeding Programs

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2020.00866

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2020.00866

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Three North American <italic>Vitis</italic> species (<italic>V. riparia, V. berlandieri, V. rupestris</italic>) became widely used in rootstock breeding programs following the expansion of North American pests and diseases introduced in vineyards of the world during the 19th century. When they escape, they become feral in the most dynamic parts of Mediterranean floodplains. To better understand this ongoing process, we studied the ecology of Vitis species in their native sympatric range. We analyzed in deep 61 plots of 710 m2 containing Vitaceae species along 216 km of the Buffalo River and adjacent plateaus (Arkansas, United States). We investigated the populations structure and genetics of the <italic>Vitis</italic> complex (i.e., possible hybrids and the <italic>Vitis</italic> species) and the sharing of habitats with other Vitaceae (<italic>Muscadinia rotundifolia</italic> and <italic>Parthenocissus quinquefolia</italic>). Vitaceae share space according to their life strategies and microhabitat along ecological gradients. The plateau niche seems optimal for <italic>V. berlandieri</italic> and <italic>V. aestivalis</italic>. <italic>V. berlandieri</italic> is also found in alluvial zones. The most erosive parts of the river are colonized by <italic>V. rupestris</italic>, whereas the first terraces include most of the <italic>M. rotundifolia</italic> populations. <italic>Vitis riparia</italic> and <italic>Parthenocissus</italic> live in the largest range of forest habitats, from plateaus to alluvial forests, and from the forest floor to the canopy, with the highest densities along the river. Interestingly, natural hybridization can occur, but establishment success is rare and limited to alluvial forests. In their native range, these populations are controlled by biotic and abiotic conditions. In Europe, the biotic relations among species are different. Our study shows that <italic>V. riparia</italic> and its hybrids could be the best candidates for a large scale invasion.</p>