Grape microsatellite markers: sizing of DNA alleles and genotype analysis of some grapevine cultivars

Capillary electrophoresis fluorescence-based technology and fragment sizing software were applied in order to type grape cultivars at microsatellite loci described by THOMAS and SCOTT (1993) and BOWERs et al. (1996). Whereas the data set was closely consistent with already known genotypes for the same cultivars, estimates of allele length differed remarkably from those reported. The pedigree of the Riesling crosses Bacchus, Optima, Müller-Thurgau, Scheurebe, Ehrenfelser, Kerner, Rotberger, Rieslaner and Incrocio Manzoni 6.0.13 were investigated, and Mendelian inheritance of automatically sized alleles proved to be easily scorable. In addition, ancient cultivars of the vine-growing area of Trentino were characterized at microsatellite loci. Genotypes of Marzemino, Teroldego, Lagrein, Lambrusco a foglia frastagliata and Groppello gentile proved to share more than 50 % of alleles.