Browsing by Author "Ross-Adams, Helen Esther"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The characterisation of selected grapevine cultivars using microsatellites
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002) Ross-Adams, Helen Esther; Burger, Johan T.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Genetics and IPB.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine supports one of the oldest industries in South Africa today, and is also of significant international importance. With increasing international trade and the transport of fruit and other grapevine-derived products between borders, it has become increasingly important for South African farmers and viticulturalists to ensure their products conform to strict international market requirements if they are to remain competitive. Such requirements include the correct and accurate identification of berries and wines according to cultivar. In light of this, 26 different wine, table grape and rootstock cultivars, as well as a number of clones from KWV's core germplasm collection were characterised at 16 microsatellite marker loci. Microsatellite markers are known for their high level of informativeness, reliability and reproducibility, and are widely used in the identification and characterisation of plant varieties, population analyses and forensic applications. Unique allelic profiles were obtained for all but two plants, which proved to be identical at all loci considered, and thus 'clones'. These profiles were collated to form a database, containing the DNA fingerprints of each sample at each locus. The relative levels of informativeness of each marker used were also determined, and compared with those found in the literature. Six markers proved to be highly informative, and are promising in the potential application of this technology to other cultivars. The applicability of microsatellite markers to such studies is confirmed; this approach could easily be extended to include any number of cultivars of national and international interest. The results of such an investigation would have important implications for both the farming and commercial industries alike.