Grapevine is the fruit crop with the largest economic value worldwide. Grapevine genetic improvement is therefore critical to foster the profitability and sustainability of the derived wine and table grape sectors. Traditional grapevine breeding and clonal selection programs have focused on the improvement of specific traits to enhance grapevine tolerance to abiotic stresses, diseases and pests as well as to improve grape quality and production. These needs are becoming particularly urgent due to the impact of changing climates on viticulture and the increasing demand for sustainable agro-ecosystems.
To meet breeding and selection objectives, two basic activities are undertaken: (i) the screening of the available variability, and (ii) the generation of individuals gathering favourable features. Among the key factors facilitating the success of these activities, the knowledge on the genomic regions and gene variants associated with such phenotypic variability is basic to speed up current and future breeding and for genetic improvement programs.
This Research Topic aims to update current knowledge on the genetic strategies fostering wine grape, table grape, and rootstock improvement, as well as to shed light on genes and genetic variation involved in different mechanisms related to the implementation of grape quality traits and grape adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. We welcome excellent Original Research and Review articles dealing with various aspects of the identification of key genes for further breeding programs. Manuscripts should address, but not be restricted to, the following topics:
- Genetic and phenotypic characterization of relevant traits for current grapevine breeding and clonal selection programs;
- QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci), and association mapping (Genome-Wide and Candidate-Gene Association Studies, GWAS and CGAS) approaches and studies for the identification of candidate genes and genetic variants associated with biotic and abiotic stress adaptation and for fruit quality and productivity improvement;
- Deep sequencing and RNA-seq studies to identify markers, candidate genes and genetic variants enabling the improvement of vines adaptation to biotic and abiotic constraints and of fruit quality and productivity;
- Development of new strategies to speed up genetic marker identification and genetic screening in breeding programs;
- Functional analysis of candidate genes for breeding programs through genetic transformation approaches (such as genome editing, cisgenesis, etc.).
Please note: Studies falling into the categories below will not be considered for review, unless they are expanded and provide insight into the biological system or process being studied:
i) Descriptive collection of transcripts, proteins or metabolites, including comparative sets as a result of different conditions or treatments;
ii) Descriptive studies that define gene families using basic phylogenetics and the assignment of cursory functional attributions (e.g. expression profiles, hormone or metabolites levels, promoter analysis, informatic parameters).
Grapevine is the fruit crop with the largest economic value worldwide. Grapevine genetic improvement is therefore critical to foster the profitability and sustainability of the derived wine and table grape sectors. Traditional grapevine breeding and clonal selection programs have focused on the improvement of specific traits to enhance grapevine tolerance to abiotic stresses, diseases and pests as well as to improve grape quality and production. These needs are becoming particularly urgent due to the impact of changing climates on viticulture and the increasing demand for sustainable agro-ecosystems.
To meet breeding and selection objectives, two basic activities are undertaken: (i) the screening of the available variability, and (ii) the generation of individuals gathering favourable features. Among the key factors facilitating the success of these activities, the knowledge on the genomic regions and gene variants associated with such phenotypic variability is basic to speed up current and future breeding and for genetic improvement programs.
This Research Topic aims to update current knowledge on the genetic strategies fostering wine grape, table grape, and rootstock improvement, as well as to shed light on genes and genetic variation involved in different mechanisms related to the implementation of grape quality traits and grape adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. We welcome excellent Original Research and Review articles dealing with various aspects of the identification of key genes for further breeding programs. Manuscripts should address, but not be restricted to, the following topics:
- Genetic and phenotypic characterization of relevant traits for current grapevine breeding and clonal selection programs;
- QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci), and association mapping (Genome-Wide and Candidate-Gene Association Studies, GWAS and CGAS) approaches and studies for the identification of candidate genes and genetic variants associated with biotic and abiotic stress adaptation and for fruit quality and productivity improvement;
- Deep sequencing and RNA-seq studies to identify markers, candidate genes and genetic variants enabling the improvement of vines adaptation to biotic and abiotic constraints and of fruit quality and productivity;
- Development of new strategies to speed up genetic marker identification and genetic screening in breeding programs;
- Functional analysis of candidate genes for breeding programs through genetic transformation approaches (such as genome editing, cisgenesis, etc.).
Please note: Studies falling into the categories below will not be considered for review, unless they are expanded and provide insight into the biological system or process being studied:
i) Descriptive collection of transcripts, proteins or metabolites, including comparative sets as a result of different conditions or treatments;
ii) Descriptive studies that define gene families using basic phylogenetics and the assignment of cursory functional attributions (e.g. expression profiles, hormone or metabolites levels, promoter analysis, informatic parameters).
