Ampelographic and molecular characterization of some grape cultivars and rootstocks

The present study defines the ampelographic and genetic characterization of 59 grape varieties with 20 American rootstocks of Turkish and international interest. Ampelographic observations were carried out during two years (2006 and 2007) using 44 descriptors selected from international grape descriptors and the definitions relevant to each character were performed by the way indicated in the lists. Furthermore, the defitions obtained were transformed to numerical data and UPGMA analysis were employed via NTSYSpc 2.1 program using mean character differences. In the scope of molecular analysis, 20 ISSR primers were selected from the initial of 60. Genetic relationships among the genotypes were investigated at DNA level on dendrogram by using Jaccard?s coefficient.Great variations were detected among ampelographic characters throughout the cultivars investigated. Accordingly, the genotypes were initially divided into two branches consisting of American rootstocks and grape cultivars and several subclusters were constituted. Twenty primers selected generated a total of 194 bands in which 185 were polymorphic (94.9% polymorphism). Total numbers of bands per primer altered from 5 to 15, while polymorphic band numbers were between 4 and 14. All primers resulted in more than 75% polymorphism. Similarity coefficients in overall genotypes were between 0.97 and 0.25. ISSR-based dendrogram mostly resembled as in both distribution of varietal groups upon main use and migration of cultivars relevant to genetic composition. The dendrograms constructed via two approaches largely resembled in both clustering position and divergence of varietal groups. Clustering position of the cultivars throughout the dendrograms was basically related to the genetic structures and main uses as well as geographic origins.