Annual Report 2021

Abstract

ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune was established in January 1997 to undertake mission oriented research to address the issues related to grape production and processing in India. Research is being carried out under broad areas of genetic resource management and biotechnology, production technologies, plant health management and postharvest technology and value addition. Besides institutional research programs, several externally funded projects are also in progress. The Centre also undertakes consultancy services and contractual researches related to its mandate. The research achievements made during 2021 are summarized below: Conservation, characterization and utilization of grape Presently 481 accessions are maintained in National Active Germplasm Site-Grapes at ICAR-NRCG, Pune. Six grape accessions viz. Sheegene 2, Sheegene 13, Sheegene 20, Sheegene 21, Blagra 2 and 1103P were collected during the period. Genetic improvement of grape Grape hybrids developed at the institute were evaluated. Based on the parameters such as berry size, firmness, total soluble solids, acidity, skin thickness and flavour, eight F1 hybrids were found to have potential for table purpose whereas based on pulp content, total soluble solids, acidity and skin thickness, six were found to have potential for raisin purpose. Based on various berry sensory parameters, seven white and five coloured hybrids were found promising. In the rootstock breeding programme, flower induction was achieved successfully and the floral biology revealed that Dogridge and Salt Creek are hermaphrodite and behave like female vine due to reflexed stamens whereas the flowers of St. George, 110R, 1103P, 140Ru were devoid of pistil and behaved as a perfect male vines. In the breeding for naturally loose bunches and bold berries, 17 F1 hybrids were established in the field. In breeding for coloured grapes, 161 F1 hybrids were established in the field. Total eleven candidate grape varieties were being tested on-site DUS tested as per guidelines at various growth stages. Based on consolidated reports submitted by the ICAR-NRC for Grapes, Pune two varieties namely Manjari Kishmish and Manjari Naveen got registration number while three farmers’ varieties viz. King Berry, VSD Seedless and RK Seedless were published in Plant Variety Journal of the Authority Molecular linkage maps were developed for two grape varieties. SNP marker based linkage map developed for Carolina Blackrose consisted of 1716 SNP markers covering a total distance of 2219.96 cM with an average distance of 1.29 cM whereas Thompson Seedless consisted of 1308 SNP markers covering a total distance of 1453.46 cM with an average distance of 1.11 cM. QTL mapping based on SNP and phenotyping data of fifty hybrids of Carolina Blackrose and Thompson Seedless identified several QTL regions for berry weight and berry size. Association mapping analysis to identify the molecular markers linked to bunch architecture related traits identified 22 marker trait associations. SNP marker S5_4053397 on chromosome 5 showed association with bunch length, bunch width, bunch volume and berry weight. The linked markers are being validated in segregating population. The protocols for nodal culture and embryogenic callus induction from grape leaf and young immature inflorescence were standardized. MS media supplemented with 11 µM BAP resulted in good shoot initiation whereas MS media supplemented with 11 µM BAP + 0.49 µM IBA was optimum for shoot proliferation. MS media containing 6 µM 2, 4-D + 1 µM BAP resulted in good calli. Development and refinement of production technologies for enhancing quality, productivity and sustainability in grape In the rootstock evaluation trial, the performance of Crimson Seedless, Manjari Kishmish and Manjari Medika grapevines grafted on Dogridge and 110R was found superior over other rootstocks based upon growth, yield and berry quality parameters. In case of Manjari Naveen, significantly higher yield, bunch weight and leaf area was recorded in vines raised on 1103P than other rootstocks. In the experiment to study the response of grape rootstocks, under drought and water-logging conditions, the results of bio-chemical, root morphological and anatomical parameters revealed that 140Ru, 110R, SO4 and Dogridge rootstocks performed better under drought condition whereas 1103P, 110R and 140Ru rootstocks performed better under water-logging condition. The rootstock 110R and 140Ru performed better under both the conditions. The light curve measure under field condition showed that Thompson Seedless grafted on Dogridge rootstock had light saturation at approximately 1200-1300 μmol m–2s–1 and light compensation between 20 to 30 μmol m–2s–1 at veraison stage. New project, initiated to standardize growth stage wise nutrient and water requirement of Crimson Seedless vines raised on Dogridge rootstock showed that subsurface irrigation treatment based upon pan evaporation and crop growth stage produced 18.25 t/ha of grapes utilizing only 216.1 mm of irrigation water with highest WUE of 84.4 kg grapes/mm of irrigation water applied.