Author(s): RITSCHEL, P. S.; MAIA, J. D. G.; CAMARGO, U.; SOUZA, R. T. de; FAJARDO, T. V. M.; NAVES, R. de L.; GIRARDI, C. L.; ZANUS, M. C.

Summary: In Brazil, genetic breeding aimed at developing novel grapevine cultivars is based on the diversity maintained at the Grapevine Germplasm Bank, consisting of approximately 1,000 accessions that have been characterized and evaluated for the most important agronomical and industrial traits, such as disease responses and must features. The program employs mainly sexual hybridizations, followed by evaluation and field selection cycles. During the final steps of developing novel cultivars, advanced selections are tested in semi-commercial scale, under real production conditions. The agronomical characteristics and the features of the grapes, of the juice or of the wine from the potential cultivar, are evaluated in collaboration with growers. As a result, 18 grapevine cultivars were developed in the last years, contributing to the several segments of the Brazilian grape productive chain. In 2012/2013, four novel grapevine cultivars were released; three are table grapes and the fourth, for juice making. ‘BRS Magna’ is a new cultivar to make grape juice with intermediate productive cycle and wide climatic adaptation, released as an alternative to improve the color, the sweetness and the flavor of grape juice in Brazil. ‘BRS Vitória’ is a novel black seedless table grape cultivar presenting excellent agronomic behavior, high bud fertility and tolerance to downy mildew, the main grapevine disease in Brazil. ‘BRS Isis’ is a red seedless table grape, also tolerant to downy mildew, presenting high yields, berries of natural big size and uniform color, even without the use of chemical treatments. ‘BRS Nubia’ is a seeded table grape, with good black color and neutral flavor. It presents high yields and big berries (24 mm × 34 mm, no gibberellin) with crisp flesh. The three novel table grapes are recommended to be grown in Brazilian subtropical and tropical areas.

Publication year: 2014

Types of publication: Abstract in annals or event proceedings

Unit: Embrapa Grape & Wine

Keywords: BRS Isis, BRS Magna, BRS Nubia, BRS Vitória, Melhoramento genético, Suco de uva, Uva, Uvas do Brasil, Variedade, Viticultura