S02 - Session O2 - Ampelographic evaluation of autochthonous grapevine germplasm in different areas of the Lazio region, Italy

Authors: Maria Palombi *, Roberto Nuti, Massimo Morassut, Noemi Bevilacqua, M. Cecilia Serra

Autochthonous grapevine varieties are of multiple importance within the Italian ampelographic platform, also thanks to the ability to make useful agronomic characteristics available and evoke historical and cultural values of a specific territory. In the Lazio Region, especially in the last 20 years the cultivation of vines has seen a 43% decrease in surfaces associated with a reduction in the ampelographic base. This framework has determined an interesting work of rediscovery of the autochthonous varieties for the region. In this context, at the Center of Viticulture and Enology in Velletri (Rome), a collection of autochthonous grapevine varieties is maintained. These varieties were recovered in different wine-growing areas in the Lazio Region: for cultivars Malvasia del Lazio, Bombino and Trebbiano reference wine-growing area is the province of Rome, Cesanese di Affile, Lecinaro, Pampanaro, Capolongo, Maturano and Cesanese are growing principally in province of Frosinone ; Moscato di Terracina, Abbuoto, San Giuseppe are growing in the province of Latina, while Aleatico, Bianco Dritto, Grechetto in the wine-growing area in the province of Viterbo. To assess the autochthonous germplasm of these different areas, plants material of 52 grapevine varieties, for a total of 92 accessions, were subject to ampelographic evaluation using 46 OIV descriptors. Statistical analysis was conducted by applying a principal component method for exploring data with both continuous and categorical variables. This work emphasizes the need for recovering the threatened genetic variability that characterizes minor neglected grapevine cultivars or biotypes of the Lazio germplasm and enhancing the local agri‐food economy.