Identification of synonyms and homonyms in grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) from Asturias (Spain)

SUMMARY The abandonment of Asturian vineyards over the last century almost resulted in the extinction of the grapevine crop and major cultivar confusion. Due to the restoration of a number of these vineyards in recent years, research into the regional varietal stock is needed. The aims of the present study were to characterise genetic resources of Vitis vinifera L. in Asturias and to identify synonyms and homonyms through an analysis of six microsatellite markers: VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27, VrZAG62, and VrZAG79. These markers are used internationally as recommended descriptors for the identification of grapevine cultivars and allow comparisons between laboratories. After PCR amplification of these microsatellite sequences, they were analysed by capillary electrophoresis. Forty-six accessions of V. vinifera L., corresponding to 14 cultivars, were analysed, but only nine different genotype profiles were found, due to synonyms for ‘Albarin Tinto’, ‘Albarin Blanco’ and ‘Verdejo Tinto’, and two homonyms for ‘Albarin Blanco’ being identified (‘Godello’ and ‘Savagnin Blanc’). The most informative locus was VVMD5 and the least informative was VVMD27. The heterozygosity observed at all loci was higher than expected.