Detection of polymorphism in ancient Tempranillo clones [Vitis vinifera L.] using microsatellite and retrotransposon markers

ABSTRACT

Tempranillo is one of the most widely cultivated grapevine varieties in Spain. After several years of clone selection, some highly recommended old clones have been identified in terms of both their qualitative and production characteristics. This study was designed to discriminate among 28 ancient clones of the cultivar Tempranillo [Vitis vinifera]. DNA samples from clones were analysed using two different molecular markers; microsatellites or simple sequence repeats [SSR] and retrotransposons. The results of this study indicate that one variant genotype was expressed as three alleles. Further analysis revealed the presence of a chimera, in which the third allele was present in the leaf but not root or wood tissue, indicating a functionally double-layered apical meristem. The present research also showed that one of the retrotranposon marker was able to discriminate one grapevine clone [VP1] from the remaining clones