Climate-resistant grape varieties to ensure yield

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What is the problem? Summer heat and dry stress poses ever greater problems for wine-growing companies. New plants can increasingly only be operated with artificial irrigation. Even adult vines suffer because they can no longer alleviate heating when dry by evaporation of water over the leaves. But can we help viticulture in the region through a better selection of underlay and yield varieties and contribute to the breeding of a new generation of climate resistant (KliWi) grape varieties? As part of the project, researchers from the region will ask the stem mother of our vines, the almost extinct European wild vine, for help. You will look for genes that help cope with heat, UV and dry stress and will cross them into crop vines. How does it work? First, using an automated microscopy system, wild vines that are resistant to heat and dry stress are identified, and then find out which genes and which ingredients indicate such resistance. This allows you to quickly find suitable breeding candidates after crossing with crop varieties. In addition, it is possible to create a catalogue of climate resilience for the grape varieties grown in the region, especially mushroom-resistant (PiWi) vines, in order to help wine-growing companies choose varieties. At the end of the project, a set of at least five genetic factors will be made available to grow KliWi vines with resilience to heat, UV and dry stress. Furthermore, the vineyards in the region (but also the vineyards) are listed a catalogue showing the heat and dry resilience of all the underlays and yields common in the region on a scientific basis, including PiWi (fung-resistant) grape varieties that are important for organic viticulture. The expected result: Thanks to KliWiReSSe, wine-growing companies are to be assisted in the selection of suitable varieties when a vineyard is newly created. The project will thus contribute to adapting viticulture in the cross-border region on the Upper Rhine to the challenges of climate change.

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