Novel insight into the identification of unexplored table grapes recovered from the Aures (Batna, Algeria): A first ampelographic and molecular characterization

The Aures region of Algeria harbors a rich, but yet unexplored grapevine diversity. This research represents the first insight into the characterization of unexplored grapevines traditionally grown in the Aures region using ampelographic and molecular approaches. Forty-one grapevine samples were analyzed using 12 microsatellite markers, revealing 14 distinct genotypes. These comprised four known autochthonous Algerian varieties and six Mediterranean varieties. Interestingly, four novel genotypes specific to the Aures region were also recovered. The novel genotypes will be registered with names related to local tradition, named 'Ichmoul', 'Ichmoul Bacha', 'Bouabane des Aures', and 'Amer Bouamar'. Ampelographic characterization, focusing exclusively on these four novel varieties, employed 32 OIV descriptors. Principal Component Analysis of the quantitative ampelographic data showed that the first two components accounted for 90% of the total variance. PC1 primarily differentiated varieties based on the length of veins N1 to N4 (OIV 601-604), length of petiole sinus to upper and lower lateral leaf sinus (OIV 605-606), and characteristics of leaf teeth (OIV 612-615). Neighbour-joining dendrograms based on molecular and morphological data revealed congruent groupings for the novel varieties, validating the complementarity of these approaches. Overall, this research has successfully recovered and characterized a significant fraction of the neglected grapevine diversity from the Aures region, identifying valuable genetic resources for conservation, breeding, and on-farm cultivation.