Disease resistant grapes
IGA is actively involved in the breeding of commercial varieties. In collaboration with the University of Udine, one of IGA's institutional founders, we have selected and patented winegrape varieties, with increased resistance against downy mildew. The resistant winegrapes have been generated by conventional breeding via hybridization of noble winegrapes (Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Tocai Friulano) with introgression lines that contain major R genes introduced from wild American and Asian grapes.
Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, a world-leading grape nursery, is commercially distributing graftings of these resistant winegrapes.
IGA commits itself to exploit conventional breeding and new breeding technologies to improve traditional winegrapes for a more sustainable viticulture. IGA's vision on grapevine breeding is reported in two papers.
Di Gaspero G, Foria S (2015) Molecular grapevine breeding techniques. In Grapevine breeding programs for the wine industry. Reynolds A (ed) Woodhead Publishing, 23-37
Di Gaspero G, Morgante M (2016) Nuove tecnologie genetiche al servizio della viticoltura. Informatore Agrario 21