Preservation of intravarietal diversity in clonal and sanitary pre-selection for a minority variety in danger of extinction: Maturana Blanca

Abstract

Aim: An objective methodology to preserve intravarietal diversity during the stage of clonal and sanitary pre-selection is exposed. The case of the minority variety in danger of extinction called Maturana Blanca is analyzed.

Methods and results: The cluster analysis of the initial population’s data (OIV descriptors) allows leading the pre-selection with the objective of preserving the intravarietal diversity. The pre-selection process, where one accession from each cluster is selected and its sanitary status evaluated, is carried out for three consecutive years. It is verified that the intravarietal diversity is kept after the pre-selection by comparing the distribution of the selected vines to the ones of the initial population for each variable and the principal component analysis of both populations.

Significance and impact of the study: The advantage of this method consists of grouping the individuals by a statistical procedure of cluster analysis, enabling a randomized selection.

Conclusion: The methodology that has been established to carry out the clonal and sanitary pre-selection of the variety Maturana Blanca allows the preservation of the existing intravarietal diversity.