Molecular investigation of Caucasian and Eastern European grapevine cultivars (V. vinifera L.) by microsatellites

Grapevine (V. vinifera L.) is one of the most widely cultivated species of agricultural interest. The domestication of wild grapes starting in the Neolithic Age, took place in the Near East area. The aim of this study was the genotyping of germplasm coming from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova by SSR markers in order to investigate the genetic relationships among samples along the East-to-West dissemination route of grapevine after the domestication. Based on the descriptive statistics Azerbaijani samples appeared having the highest genetic diversity. PCoA and STRUCTURE analysis revealed three groups: i) Central European group; ii) a group reuniting cultivars coming from Armenia, Georgia and Moldova; iii) the group of Azerbaijani cultivars (94%). The analysis of genetic relationships in our dataset provided evidence of connection among cultivars included in the proles pontica and proles orientalis and geographical origin and human uses as well.