Scientists pinpoint the genes that let grapevines survive freezing winters
Crop Improvement
If you grow grapes in a region with harsh winters, the genes identified here could eventually show up in hardier varieties that skip the yearly ritual of burying or wrapping vines for protection.
Researchers bred a generation of grapevines from a cold-tough parent and a cold-sensitive parent, then looked at which offspring survived cold stress and which didn't. By comparing the DNA and active genes between the survivors and the strugglers, they tracked down a set of genes likely responsible for cold toughness, information that breeders can use to make grapevines sturdier in cold climates.
Key Findings
Combined bulk segregant analysis (OcBSA) with transcriptome sequencing on an intraspecific grapevine hybrid population to map cold-resistance loci
Identified candidate genomic regions and differentially expressed genes linked to cold tolerance by comparing cold-resistant and cold-sensitive offspring
Approach demonstrates an integrated genetic mapping and gene expression strategy for dissecting complex stress-tolerance traits in Vitis vinifera
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists crossed cold-hardy and cold-sensitive grapevines, then compared their DNA and gene activity to pinpoint which genes let some grapes survive freezing winters. This could help breeders create wine and table grape varieties that survive harsher cold without needing extra winter protection.
Was this useful?
Want to tell us more? (optional)
Thanks for the note!
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many submissions. Try again in an hour.
Targeted knockout of a host peroxisomal peptidase confers field resistance to...
The corn in your grocery store and the staple food keeping millions of East African families fed is under serious threat from a viral disease that can wipe o...
Vitis (grapevine) is a genus of about 80 species of twining plants in the family Vitaceae. The genus consists of species predominantly from the Northern Hemisphere. It is economically important as the source of grapes, both for direct consumption of the fruit and for fermentation to produce wine....