Grapevine germplasm variety identification

This project will validate the name and DNA profile of the grapevine varieties in Australia’s two largest germplasm collections, held by CSIRO and SARDI, that hold up to 80% of the unique material in Australia. DNA will be extracted from grapevine tissue samples taken from a unique variety set and non-unique accessions within the two collections. Plant DNA and DNA profiles will be exchanged with international collaborators, and SNP and SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) marker methods will be used as necessary, to compare the DNA profiles. The information generated through the project will be used, along with privately held material as it is made available, to build a publicly accessible Australian Grapevine Register database that contains the final SNP DNA profiles with the corresponding variety name. The variety name will conform to the Prime Name listed in the Vitis International Variety Catalogue. In addition, the original Australian name will also be listed. The database and interface will allow querying with other DNA profiles so that a service provider can offer an ongoing (commercial) identification service to the sector. This project offers a DNA based method for variety identification that will minimise the chance of accidental mislabelling.