Local cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. in Spanish islands: Balearic Archipelago

Abstract Biodiversity loss is a worldwide problem, and the vine is probably one of the most affected species. The number of cultivated varieties of vine has decreased in recent years, and the local varieties of each region have been displaced by other varieties that have expanded internationally due to globalization of markets. This work focuses on the characterization and identification of 111 accessions from the Balearic Archipelago by microsatellite analysis, using 20 molecular markers. A total of 58 different genotypes were identified. Twenty-nine names commonly used in the Islands are considered new synonyms. Seventeen cases of mislabeling and 5 unknown molecular profiles were described. Of the 58 varieties identified, 16 have been proposed as local varieties (Argamusa, Callet, Callet cas Concos blanco, Callet cas Concos negro, Epero de gall, Excursach, Fogoneau, Gafarro, Giro ros, Gorgollasa, Manses de Tibbus together with its mutation, Manses de Tibbus-1, Manto negro, Sabate and Valent blanc). This local population has also been compared with a world population in order to study their singularity. In all cases these 16 local varieties behaved like an own subpopulation being very distant respect to the other populations. These results also suggest that local varieties have had a great influence of Iberian Peninsula varieties over the years and a slight Italian influence. Finally, it is suggested that most of the crossing related to these local varieties have been carried out in Balearic Islands.