Application of standard methods for the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) phenotypic diversity exploration: phenological traits

In the framework of the COST Action FA1003 – ‘GRAPENET: East-West Collaboration for Grapevine Diversity Exploration and Mobilization of Adaptive Traits for Breeding’ – common phenotyping methods have been proposed to characterize germplasm accessions. The protocols aimed at the description of traits of interest for the cultivars exploitation. In particular, phenological and eno-carpological methods were selected. This paper will focus on the phenological records. The extended BBCH scale was selected and adapted to our scope. Methodological details, including agrometeorological data process are presented together with an overview of the first year results. Phenograms were obtained for each observed accession. Replications among the collections and in different years will be necessary to better define the cultivars characteristics. In 2012, the phenological protocol was applied by 20 institutions spread in 16 countries (Azerbaijan, Chech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Moldova, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine). 562 accessions were monitored. The large application of the protocol underlines the determination to collaborate among the European research institutions involved in grapevine germplasm evaluation.