Molecular characterization of twenty seeded and seedless table grape cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.)

DNA and isoenzyme analyses were used to characterize 20 table grape cultivars including Moscato d'Amburgo, Italia, Sultanina, Bicane and some recently released new varieties. GPI and PGM isoenzyme systems were able to separate the cultivars into 9 groups whereas the 8 microsatellite loci that were analysed revealed a higher discriminating power. In fact, all the cultivars could be distinguished by DNA profiles except Sugraone from its sport Sugrafive. Parentage analysis confirmed that the cultivar Italia was obtained from the crossing Bicane x Moscato d'Amburgo. A difference was observed at one microsatellite locus between Sultanina and the published data for Thompson Seedless, considered to be its synonym. The different microsatellite loci were evaluated for their informativeness