In vitro synthesis of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) intraspecific chimeras using meristematic bulk tissue grafting.

Highlights • We bring new method for synthesis of grapevine intraspecific chimeras based on Meristematic Bulk Tissue. • Microsatellite (SSR) markers were successfully applied for detection of synthetic chimeras. • This opens for the first time the possibility of Synthetic Chimeral Breeding application for Grapevine. Abstract Chimeral breeding is an alternative breeding method for vegetatively propagated species which can combine desirable traits from different cultivars. Main problem of its application is related to the difficulties in development of synthetic chimeras in most species. Grapevine is one of the most important crops in the world with significantly reduced varietal diversity used in production accompanied by difficult acceptance of new cultivars developed by existing breeding methods. Main objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of grapevine intraspecific chimeras development using in vitro method based on meristematic bulk tissue grafting. Meristematic bulk tissue was successfully developed from two cultivars (Cabernet sauvignon and Babic). After successful grafting and regeneration, 118 plants were obtained. Detection of chimeral plants was performed using combination of phenotyping and genotyping. Phenotyping was based on visual detection of cultivar specific characteristics displayed by young plants. Six microsatellites markers loci were evaluated for their efficiency in detection and quantification of different share of DNA belonging to two cultivars in mixed DNA samples. VVS2 locus was selected and used in genetic characterization of plants obtained from tissue culture. Chimeral status was confirmed in case of seven plants and different share of two cultivars within was detected chimeras. Described method shows promising results due to high regeneration power of meristematic bulk tissue and successful and precise detection of chimeral plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]