This paper explores the history of descriptor lists (DLs)—scientific standards for documenting plant genetic resources—which have been published by Bioversity International since 1976 (formerly IBPGR 1974–1991; IPGRI 1991–2006). Each DL represents an important tool; together, they constitute the basis for a standardized characterization system that provides an internationally agreed format and universally understood ‘language’ for plant genetic resources data. The paper also presents an analysis of data collected through questionnaires and web statistics on the impact of DLs in order to understand their use by major stakeholders. The usefulness of Bioversity’s DLs was measured in terms of their value in facilitating the establishment of databases, and improving collaborations and information exchange among organizations. Most survey respondents reported that they not only used Bioversity’s DLs, but recognized them as the standards for plant genetic resources data collection and management. Bioversity’s DLs are widely respected because they are developed by large groups of crop specialists. Together, the DLs are helping Bioversity to meet the ambitious objective of establishing a Clearing-House Mechanism as set forth by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Article 18.3, which seeks to promote and facilitate information exchange among parties, Governments and stakeholders in order to assure a full implementation of the CBD. A number of areas for improvement were identified, although some of them are either outside Bioversity’s mandate or depend on human or financial capital for implementation.

The scientific information activity of Bioversity International: the descriptor lists.

Nikolić D., T. Banjanin, Z. Ranković-Vasić (2018): Variability and heredity of some qualitative and quantitative grapevine characteristics.Genetika, Vol 50, No.2, 549-560. Variability and mode of heredity of some important qualitative and quantitative grapevine characteristics in 45 seedlings of F1 generation obtained from crossing combination Seedling 113 x Muscat Hamburg were investigated in this study. The seedlings of F1 generation for the investigated characteristics were arranged in certain number of categories by the OIV method. As variability indexes, standard deviation (S) and coefficient of variation (V) were used. Evaluation of the mode of heredity was done by  2 test and t-test. Considering examined characteristics, the highest variability showed grape yield (V=58.9%), and the lowest sugar content in must (V=16.3%). Color of berry skin, cluster resistance to Botrytis cinerea and leaf resistance to Plasmopara viticola showed monogenic mode of heredity. Exception from the monogenic mode of heredity was determined for the flavor of berry. Grape yield, bunch weight and berry weight showed negative heterosis. For the sugar content in must, domination of the parent with low sugar content in must was determined.

/pdf/variability-and-heredity-of-some-qualitative-and-418h4lh6at.pdf

Variability and heredity of some qualitative and quantitative grapevine characteristics

Aims: The selection of cv. Merlot clones performed in the Grocka winegrowing region, Republic of Serbia, and the study of agrobiological and technological traits of three selected clones and Merlot standard.Methods and results: The selection of clones was done using the method of individual clone selection in four phases over 15-20 years (Cindric, 2003). O.I.V. methods were used in determining the most important agrobiological and economic-technological traits of grapes. The results of studied traits of grape and wine suggest that the quality of the clones surpassed the quality of the standard. Although the highest values for most of the studied traits were obtained for clone 025, there was no statistically significant difference between the clones. Indeed, the significant distinction between the clones was obtained for total polyphenol content (TPC) and total anthocyanin content (TAC) in wines: the wine of clone 025 had the highest TPC and TAC values. According to the tasting scores, wines of the clones may be classified as "quality wines with geographical indications".Conclusion: The selected clones were characterised by good quality grapes and wines. Improved viticultural parameters, versus the mother vine, indicate the need for further research work on the chemistry of both grapes and wines, aiming to better understand the characteristics of the selected clones and their market potential. Significance and impact of the study: The development of new clones (namely 022, 025 and 029) of better quality than the mother vine will, in the long term, lead to the introduction of the best clone(s) in viticultural practices and production. Until today, the clonal selection of Merlot has not been done in the Republic of Serbia and there are no recognised clones.

/pdf/agrobiological-and-wine-quality-traits-of-vitis-vinifera-cv-3uyvhwatke.pdf

Agrobiological and wine quality traits of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot clones selected in Serbia

IX Congress of the European Society for Agronomy

A multivariate approach for the ampelographic characterizations of Algerian grapevine genotypes (Vitis vinifera L.): Insights into conservation and commercialization

The objective of this study was to evaluate diversity and relationships among
 grapevine cultivars from the Serbian gene bank in Sremski Karlovci, and to
 identify the most useful variables for discrimination. A total of 54
 grapevine cultivars have been studied. During the period 2000-2005, twelve
 quantitative and qualitative characteristics were evaluated using OIV
 categories to each trait. Characterization was done using multivariate
 statistical analyses: cluster and principal component analysis (PCA), Based
 on cluster analysis cultivars divided into three major groups and the
 clustering pattern was related to the classical eco-geographical grouping:
 occidentalis, pontica and orientalis. Beside geographic origin clustering
 position of cultivars throughout the dendrogram was related to main uses. The
 major part (70.1%) of the total variation presented was explained by four
 principal components. PC1 is highly correlated with the bunch and berry size
 and PC2 with the density of prostrate hairs of young shoot tip and the
 density of prostrate hairs between veins on the lower side of mature leaf.
 The overall arrangement of cultivars suggests considerable phenotypical (and
 presumably genetic) variability in studied germplasm collection. Furthermore,
 obtained results may be useful for further utilization of available genetic
 resources in gene bank managers, growing and breeding. [Projekat Ministarstva
 nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31063 i br III 43007]

/pdf/genetic-diversity-of-a-serbian-grapevine-germplasm-1spo738ahz.pdf

Genetic diversity of a Serbian grapevine germplasm collection based on morphoagronomic characteristics

Clone selection in viticulture represents a way of eliminating the negative
 influence of mutation changes in the future vineyard, as well as preventing
 the virus-infected plants and plants infected with virus-related diseases
 from further propagation. Riesling Italico variety is an old variety. It has
 been grown in Vojvodina for centuries. The clone selection of Riesling
 Italico variety in Sremski Karlovci was started in 1975. In January 1991
 three clones were recognized. Shortly after, the subclone selection of these
 three clones was initiated. This paper presents the resultants of subclone
 selection of Riesling Italico. Subclones SK 54-4 and SK 54-10 are
 characterized by good quality and the grapes of these subclones can be used
 for the production of high quality wines in most of the years.

/pdf/riesling-italico-subclones-b1m6nxpjuv.pdf

Riesling Italico subclones

The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of cover crops grown as green manure on the dynamics of mineral nitrogen in the soil under organic vineyard. Field investigations were carried out on the experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, which is located in Sremski Karlovci, Serbia. Winter cover crops were sowed in autumn 2009 and samples of soil, where mineral forms of nitrogen were present, were taken twice during the growing season in 2010 (spring and summer). Winter forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), used as cover crops in an organic vineyard, showed the influence on the increase of mineral nitrogen in the soil. Plowing of the green mass of forage pea led to an intensive mineralization of organic matters which consequently caused positive balance of N. On the treatment with forage pea, content of mineral N at the end of the vegetation period was higher by 60 kg N ha-1 in comparison to the first measuring period (spring). The treatment with oilseed rape showed no significant differences in the measuring periods. With regard to the control treatment, this treatment did not have a negative balance of nitrogen but it was considerably lower in comparison to the forage peas and it was 5.93 kg N ha-1. Oilseed rape, used as a cover crop, is suitable for storing reserves of soil mineral nitrogen in winter and spring, when there is minimal need for nitrogen in the vineyard. Thus, nitrogen losses can be prevented. Apart from uptaking nitrogen from the soil, forage peas also fixate considerable amount of nitrogen from the air and additionally enriches soil with nitrogen. Cover crops use in viticulture is suitable since their vegetation partly overlaps with vineyards vegetation, thus it does not represent a problem for vine plants in the aspect of uptaking nitrogen from the soil.

Winter cover crops as nitrogen sources in organic vineyard.

The effects of foliar application of paclobutrazol (PC), chlorcholinechloride (CC) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on vegetative growth, fruit set and yield of grapevine cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon were evaluated. Results indicate that application plant growth regulators carried out during the period of intensive vegetative growth considerably influence the shoot growth, berry set, number of berries per cluster, berry weight and skin to pulp ratio. PC and CC strongly inhibited shoot growth and increased berry set. The number of berries per cluster, cluster weight and grape yield per m2 were increased. Smaller berries resulting from applied growth inhibitors treatments increase the skin-to-pulp ratio, may resulting in wines with deeper color and more concentrated flavors. The achieved increase in grape yield was significant in the PC1000, CC2000 and CC1000 variant compared with a control. Aplication of GA3 reduced the degree of berry settings. Number of berries per cluster was decreased while berry weight was increased. The GA3 concentration 150 mg/l produced significant decrease in grape yield. The effect of growth regulators is directly dependent on the applied concentraction.

Hormonal regulation of growth, fruit set and yield of grapevine cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.).

Photosynthesis takes place in all green parts of the grapevine plant, but it is most intensive in the leaves of main shoots and laterals. Importance of various strata and categories of leaves is still not quite clear, even to experts. With this in mind, an investigation was undertaken of photosynthetic activity in leaves of main shoots and laterals of a newly developed Serbian grape variety Sila, which was grown under the ecological conditions of Fruska Gora Mountain. An LCpro+ instrument was used to measure the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration in the top leaf of the main shoot, and in the third leaf from the base of the lateral, that developed in the axilla of that leaf. Measurements were made just before grape harvest, on intact control vines and the vines from which shoots that emerged from secondary and tertiary latent buds were removed in the spring and, later on, grape bunches were removed from laterals. The leaves on the laterals had a higher rate of photosynthesis than the leaves on the top of the main shoots (7.9 and 6.9 �mol CO 2 × m -2 × s -1 , respectively). The leaves on the laterals also had a higher transpiration rate than the leaves on the top of the main shoots (2.5 and 2.4 mmol H2O m -2 s -1 , respectively).

I. Kuljancic

Papers

Genetic diversity of a Serbian grapevine germplasm collection based on morphoagronomic characteristics

Riesling Italico subclones

Winter cover crops as nitrogen sources in organic vineyard.

Hormonal regulation of growth, fruit set and yield of grapevine cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.).

Photosintetic activity in leaves on laterals and top leaves on main shoots of Sila cultivar befor grape harvest.