The management of ex situ grapevine germplasm collections

This paper deals with the main issues related to the management of grapevine germplasm collections, meaning specific decisions for: obtaining plant material (accessions), establishing the germplasm collection with this material, applying the specific and adequate technology to ensure survival and preservation of plants, characterization and evaluation of the accessions to identify each individual and determine their usefulness, information and documentation (activities of recording), and finally, germplasm utilization. All these decisions are explained and exemplified by concrete results from grapevine germplasm collection owned by the NRDIBH Stefanesti. A complete characterization of each accession by ampelographic descriptors and molecular methods is essential to evaluate the genetic diversity of Vitis genus and to identify the traits for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses or for oenologic and marketing importance. Well organized activities, with complete documentation and identification the proper performance indicators are essential for making decisions. The final results are: efficient use of preserved plant material (accessories) in breeding acti activities, providing the basic material for establishing new vineyards, maintenance and protection of endangered varieties.