The use of autochthonous cultivars in grapevine breeding for resistance

Autochthonous cultivars are a resource for viticulture linked to territory. However they are prone to diseases like all V. vinifera cultivars. A breeding program has been set up in 1998 at the University of Udine, region Friuli, northeastern Italy to obtain new grapevine resistant selections with high quality of grapes and wine. Up to date more than 20000 seedling have been individually evaluated. Some interesting cultivars have been obtained, and some of them are progeny of autochthonous Italian varieties Sangiovese and Tocai friulano. This procedure can give to growers new cultivars close to autochthonous ones but resistant, thus reducing the impact of fungicide treatments on environment, on consumers and on workers in vineyard.