Study and parentage analysis of old Albanian grapevine cultivars by ampelography and microsatellite markers

The number of old grapevine cultivars in Albania, originated in the country or introduced over many centuries and adapted to the conditions of the country, is huge. Because numerous cases of homonymy and synonymy exist, the interest for variety recognition is high. Investigation of these cultivars aptitudes is related to identification of desired characteristics and their utilization. In the framework of COST Action FA1003, trueness to type assessment of 13 old Albanian cultivars was undertaken including morphologic description and genetic fingerprinting. Parentage relationships were studied as well. The selected cultivars are of interest for their antiquity, for high production and distinctive organoleptic features. The ampelographic study of these cultivars supported confirmation of the results obtained by genetic profile comparison with seven SSRmarker databases and the European Vitis Database. In summary 12 unique genotypes, four parent-offspring relationships and one full parentage were found.