conference schedule and program with abstracts - Horticulture ...

O-51
Marker-assisted breeding: Identification of monoterpensynthases in grapevine (Vitis
vinifera L.) and their potential as markers in breeding
O. Bitz* 1 , M. Nitsch 1 , O. Budich 1 , M. Schmidt 1 , T. Wolf 2 , M. Hey 1 , E. Ruehl 1
1
Geisenheim Research Center, Geisenheim, Germany;
2
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH &
Co. KG, Binger Straße 173, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
*Corresponding author: bitz@fa-gm.de
Monoterpenes are considered to be one of the major classes of volatile flavour components in
many grapevine varieties and are typical for fruity and floral white wine. Variety character
largely depends on kind and amount of monoterpenes. GC-MS analysis showed great differences
among many cultivars and clones. They are significantly influenced by environment and ripening
stage, which makes a systematic clone evaluation based on phenotype difficult. The objective of
this study was to identify genes involved in metabolic pathways leading to characteristic
monoterpenes. The biosyntheses and molecular genetics of monoterpenes have been widely
studied in various species. The recently published genome of grapevine and sequences from
several plant species available in databases enable us to identify and characterise potential
terpensynthases (linalool-, geraniol-, α-terpineol-synthases) in grapevine. In this study several
previously unknown putative terpensynthases of grapevine were identified and their potential for
marker-assisted breeding assessed. A complete set of markers for relevant monoterpenes would
enable marker-assisted clone selection without the influence of environment and grape ripening/
sampling stage thus increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of clone development and
genotype conservation.
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