KliwiResse – Climate-resilient grapevines for the Upper Rhine valley

Summary in the original language of the document

Viticulture is increasingly being affected as the climatic conditions for many regions are changing. Classical, popular varieties are exposed to abiotic stress factors such as drought, heat, sunburn, late spring frosts and heavy rain events in their traditional growing areas frequently. FiBL Frick is part of the Interreg research network «KliWiReSSE – Klima-Widerstandsfähige Rebsorten zur Sicherung des Ertrags» which addresses these novel challenges. As a part of the project Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris is explored with regard to its response to heat, drought and UV stress as it is a potential gene pool for breeding of so-called KliWi grapes (for Klima-widerstandsfähig), which is based on the name PiWi (for Pilz-widerstandfähig). Using modern techniques such as automated microscopy, non-targeted metabolomics and double haploidization the way for new approaches is being paved. At FiBL we are investigating the impact of abiotic factors on our existing grape collections at different locations in Switzerland, and monitor the impact of different rootstocks. We also collect information on plant strengtheners which could potentially be used by farmers to alleviate drought, heat and UV stress symptoms in acute cases.