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Sanitary and agronomic selection of Tuscan germplasm to 
improve wine production

P. Storchi*, F. Giannetti*, P. Valentini*, I. Bazzo**, E. Angelini**
*  Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Unità di Ricerca per la Viticoltura, Arezzo, 

paolo.storchi@entecra.it.
**  Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per la Viticoltura, Coneg-

liano (TV).

Clonal selection of grape was launched in 1985 at the operative section in Arezzo of the former of Experimental In-
stitute for Viticulture [currently the Research Unit for Viticulture of the Council for Research in Agriculture (C.R.A.)].

Studies focused on the search for putative clones of the most popular varieties in central Italy, carrying out detailed 
investigations in old vineyards in different wine-producing districts of Tuscany, initially in Maremma and later in Mon-
tepulciano, Montalcino, San Gimignano and Chianti (Armanni et al., 2010). Beginning in 1990, some experimental 
vineyards were established with the progenies of the clones, which were tested for their health and evaluated for their 
vegetative and productive characteristics.

The work was carried out in particular on the Sangiovese cultivar (Calò et al., 1995), but over the years many other 
varieties have been included, with particular attention to indigenous germplasm for which availability of propagation 
material with good sanitary status is still lacking (Borgo et al., 2009).

Particular attention was given to the results from experimental vinifications using virus-free clones, allowing expres-
sion of their genetic properties without interferences, especially those relating to the phenolic richness and aromatic 
complexity of the wines.

Through the research it was possible to evaluate the incidence of viruses in the ranges of selection. The leafroll agents, 
were very common, even considering that a careful visual preselection control of symptoms was carried out. Ampelovirus 
type 1 was identified in particular in materials from Pitigliano and Chianti Classico areas, while ampelovirus type 3 af-
fected, almost exclusively, selections from Maremma. This virus, along with Fleck, was found in significant proportions 
in clones under selection in the vineyards of Tuscany. Among virus-like diseases of minor importance, the incidence of 
vein necrosis was very high.

The selection activity led to the registration in 2002 in the National Catalogue of Grape Varieties of clones ISV-RC1 
and ISV2 of Sangiovese (Storchi et al., 2004); in 2011 other clones of Sangiovese, Aleatico, Vermentino, Trebbiano to-
scano and Canaiolo were registered. Still other clones will be ready soon for application to the Ministry of Agriculture 
once agronomic observations and sanitary checks are complete.

Currently, there are clone comparison vineyards in Arezzo and in the district of Chianti Classico and collaborations are in 
progress regarding the clonal selection with the “Consorzio Vivaisti Viticoli Italiani” and with the main wine cellars of Tuscany.

Since the protocol for the selection of a clone demands a long period of time, one of the next objectives will be to re-
duce the time needed to secure clone registration in the National Catalogue. In this sense, early selection of mother plants 
with stable and better features, compared to the standard variety, is crucial, as is subsequent rapid propagation of plant 
material to establish the fields for clone assessment and comparison in different environments.

References

ARMANNI A.B., RANDELLINI L., VALENTINI P., GIANNETTI F., LEPRINI M., STORCHI P., 2010 - Recupero, tutela e valoriz-
zazione delle identità viticole dell’Italia centrale. - Rivista di Viticoltura e di Enologia, 1(4): 31-41.

BORGO M., COSTACURTA A., EGGER E., STORCHI P., SCALBRELLI G., LORETI F., 2009 - La selezione clonale del vitigno 
Aleatico. - Atti AIVV, Tornata Isola d’Elba, pp. 99-112.

CALÒ A., COSTACURTA A., PALUDETTI G., CRESPAN M., GIUST M., EGGER E., GRASSELLI A., STORCHI P., BORSA 

D., DI STEFANO R., 1995 - Characterization of biotypes of Sangiovese as basis of clonal selection. - Proc. Int. Symp. Clonal 

Selection, Portland, pp. 99-104.

STORCHI P., EGGER E., BORGO M., VALENTINI P., PIERI M., 2004 - Contributo al miglioramento qualitativo del Sangiovese 
in Toscana: le selezioni ISV. - II Simp. Sangiovese, Firenze, pp. 347-353.

Adv. Hort. Sci., 2013 27(3): 98