Use of chloroplast microsatellite markers as a tool to elucidate polymorphism, classification and origin of Tunisian grapevines

Chloroplast microsatellite markers were used in this study to genotype 43 grapevines accessions grown in Tunisia. Size variation was observed for the three cpSSR loci, both in the sample of cultivars and in wild accessions. The seven alleles observed in the sample of cultivars for the three loci are present in wild accessions except that their distribution is different. Levels of genetic diversity obtained for the Tunisian grapevines either in wild or cultivated gene pools are high and comparable with values obtained with other studied samples of Vitis vinifera. The distribution of haplotypes within the two samples is differential. Indeed, the chlorotype A is most abundant in the wild sample, whereas the chlorotype C is majority in the sample of cultivars. Haplotypes frequencies for cultivated grapevine distinguish haplotypes B and C as the most frequent (28% and 44% respectively) and haplotypes A and D as the least frequent (16% and 12% respectively). For wild grapevines, the seven alleles combined in three haplotypes, A, C and D. The haplotype A is the most frequent (44%) in the analyzed sample of wild accessions while haplotypes C and D show a frequency of 28%. Chlorotype distribution in Tunisian cultivars is comparable with that of cultivars in the Eastern Region representing the primary centre of domestication of the species. These results agree with the higher relevance of table grape cultivars in Tunisian viticulture and support an oriental origin of a large part of autochthons cultivars. Our results agree with other studies based in nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers and suggest independent domestication events for V. vinifera L. species.

► In this study, cpSSR markers were used to genotype 43 grapevines accessions grown in Tunisia.
► High levels of genetic diversity either in wild or cultivated gene pools are revealed.
► Identified alleles combined in four haplotypes (A, B, C and D), the chlorotype A is most abundant in the wild sample, whereas the chlorotype C is majority in the sample of cultivars.
► The intermediate position of chlorotype B suggests that it might be the ancestral chlorotype at Vitis vinifera level.
► Chlorotypes distribution in Tunisian cultivars is comparable with that of cultivars in the Eastern Region which support an oriental origin of a large part of autochthons cultivars.