Molecular Analysis of Phylloxera Present in Argentinean Vineyards

ARANCIBIA, C.; MARTÍNEZ, L.; ALONSO, R.; BUSCEMA, F.; RIAZ, S.; AGÜERO, C.; LUND, K.; WALKER, M.A.

Texas

Conferencia; 65th ASEV National Conference & 39th ASEV Eastern Section Annual Meeting; 2014

In Argentina, grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch) is not considered a main threat to the grape industry even though most of the vines are cultivated on their own roots. However, recent changes in viticultural practices such as drip irrigation could alter this situation. The aim of this study was to determine the population structure and diversity of phylloxera in Argentina and compare it to fingerprint profiles from the USA, and other countries to determine from where Argentine phylloxera were introduced. A total of 112 samples were collected from roots of V. vinifera cultivars grown in different localities of the provinces Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja and Río Negro. DNA was extracted using the Chelex® method and amplified for 21 microsatellite markers. The data was analyzed using DARwin v.5 and STRUCTURE 2.3.4 software. Samples from Argentina divided into two distinct groups. The largest group consisted of 87 samples from Mendoza, San Juan and La Rioja. Three distinct genotypes were identified and they grouped closer to the California biotype A reference and samples from Peru. The second group consisted of samples from northwest Mendoza, Río Negro, and one sample each from San Juan and La Rioja. There were 7 unique genotypes and they grouped closer to the California biotype B reference. The Argentinean samples did not group close to samples from the eastern USA, Europe or other South American countries. These results indicate that Argentine phylloxera are genetically diverse and that more analysis is required to understand the origin of strains and the impact this diversity will have on control strategies.