Integrated Bayesian Approaches Shed Light on the Dissemination Routes of the Eurasian Grapevine Germplasm

The domestication and spreading of grapevine as well as the gene flow history had been described in many studies. We used a high-quality 7k SNP dataset of 1,038 Eurasian grape varieties with unique profiles to assess the population genetic diversity, structure, and relatedness, and to infer the most likely migration events. Comparisons of putative scenarios of gene flow throughout Europe from Caucasus helped to fit the more reliable migration routes around the Mediterranean Basin. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) approach made possible to provide a response to several questions so far remaining unsolved. Firstly, the assessment of genetic diversity and population structure within a we…

L’anulazione del capo a frutto: tecnica innovativa nella viticoltura da vino per il miglioramento della qualità

Variazione territoriale della temperatura alla toposcala e qualità dell'uva della cv Nero d'Avola

Effetti della dimensione degli acini sui parametri qualitativi nella cv Cabernet Sauvignon

Effetti di intensità ed epoche di defogliazione sui parametri vegeto-produttivi e sulla qualità dell'uva della cv Nero d'Avola

The trial was carried out over the seasons 2012-2013. A defoliation in prebloom, fruitset and veraison phenological stages was performed and several vegetative, productive and qualitative parameters were assessed. Prebloom and fruitset defoliation resulted in a strong vegetative regrowth and in a reduction of cluster compactness and berry weight. Sugar content at harvest showed significant differences depending on the meteorological condition of the season. Anthocyanins and flavonoids synthesis was favored by leaf removal practice in the coldest season; vice versa in the hottest season the highest bunch exposure in defoliated treatments determined extreme berry temperature and an intense de…

Vinos dulces sicilianos

Caratteristiche qualitative dei semi delle varietà ad uva da vino Siciliane

In this study, the phenolic compounds of Sicilian grape seeds were evaluated. Flavan-3-ols content was higher in white and relic than black grape seeds. The greater polyphenol quantity found in white cultivars could be also attributed to lower maturity at harvest. The flavan-3-ols content was linked with seed color. The black cultivar showed the highest degree of seed lignification

Effetti delle modificazioni artificiali del microclima sulla qualità dell’uva della cv ‘Pinot nero’

Sono stati studiati gli effetti, sulla qualità dell’uva della cv Pinot nero, di defogliazione della zona dei grappoli, effettuata all’allegagione e all’invaiatura, e della copertura della zona dei grappoli con reti di diversi strati e mantenuta sulla fascia produttiva dall’allegagione all’invaiatura, dall’allegagione alla raccolta e dall’invaiatura alla raccolta. I risultati hanno mostrato che gli zuccheri sono diminuiti in relazione alla riduzione precoce di superficie fogliare. Una defogliazione effettuata ad allegagione completata ha determinato un aumento di antociani e flavonoidi. Tuttavia la ricerca ha messo in evidenza il ruolo significativo della temperatura sulla sintesi degli anto…

Characterization of carob germplasm (Ceratonia siliquaL.) in Sicily

SummarySixteen carob cultivars were studied to evaluate pulp and seed yield with regard to endosperm percentage, to determine the overall degree of polymorphism of the characters and to detect similarities among cultivars. Bean size and numbers of normal and aborted seeds were characters with a certain degree of polymorphism. The low between-year variability observed suggests that differences in the variables could be attributed to genetic factors. A high year-to-year variation was observed only for the number of aborted seeds. Seed characteristics showed small changes both between years and among cultivars. Out of all the variables, PCA identified four principal components that explained m…

Vegetative and reproductive parameters evaluation of alternative plant material

Dead vines are often a problem in many vineyards and are due to physiological or pathological causes whereby the vines need to be replaced. The replacement operation is a real cost for the direct costs of the plant material, for its planting and for their different management during the current year or in the two years after the replacement, determining also vineyard variability. When replacement is performed in the first years after vineyard establishment it is quite easy, whereas many issues occur when replacement is later, particularly issues considering roots competition. To reduce replacement problems, the use of “alternative plant material” has been evaluated. The “alternative vines” …

Parentage Atlas of Italian Grapevine Varieties as Inferred From SNP Genotyping.

The Italian grape germplasm is characterized by a high level of richness in terms of varieties number, with nearly 600 wine grape varieties listed in the Italian National Register of Grapevine Varieties and with a plethora of autochthonous grapes. In the present study an extended SNP genotyping has been carried out on Italian germplasm of cultivated Vitis vinifera subsp. sativa and Vitis hybrids. Several hundred Italian varieties maintained in the repositories of scientific Institutions and about one thousand additional varieties derived from previous studies on European, Southern Italy, Magna Graecia and Georgian germplasm were considered. The large genotyping data obtained were used to ch…

Defoliation of two-wire vertical trellis: effect on grape quality

ABSTRACTBasal leaves were removed from Cabernet Sauvignon vines trained to a two-wire vertical trellis at fruit set and at veraison. Leaf removal did not modify total soluble solids and titratable acidity at harvest. Defoliation at fruit set of lower cordon recovered the grape anthocyanin composition gap between upper and lower cordons and that produced a positive effect on anthocyanin synthesis. Hence, control of the upper cordon and defoliation of fruit set of the lower cordon treatments showed comparable values of anthocyanins. Defoliation at veraison did not produce any appreciable effect. This study shows that skin anthocyanin composition in a two-wire vertical trellis can be modified …

Nero d’Avola. Nota I - Effetti del tipo di potatura sull’attività vegetativa e produttiva

Influenza dell'esposizione dei grappoli sulla struttura anatomica e su distribuzione e contenuto di polifenoli in acini di Pinot nero in Sicilia

Vegetative and Reproductive Behaviour of Vitis vinifera L. (cv. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’) Vines Growing Under Non-Irrigated Conditions and Moderate Water Stress Induced by Different Irrigation Systems

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different levels of water stress and different irrigation systems to the vegetative and reproductive behaviour of Cabernet Sauvignon ines/140Ru, vertically trained, during the growing season 2003-2004. The vineyard was located in Sicily (in the south of Italy); the soil was loamy-sand and the climate semi-arid. Were compared five treatments: four treatments irrigated, maintaining a moderate water stress level, by drip irrigation (T1) and sub-irrigation (T2, T3 and T4) and one treatment non-irrigated (T5). The sub-irrigation treatments were different by the number and the distance of the water tubes by the rows of vines. The results sho…

MANUAL AND MECHANICAL LEAF REMOVAL IN THE BUNCH ZONE (VITIS VINIFERA L. 'NERO D'AVOLA'): EFFECTS ON PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, VEGETATIVE PARAMETERS, YIELD AND GRAPE QUALITY IN A WARM AREA

Mechanical and manual leaf removal of Nero d Avola vines were carried out in a commercial vineyard in Sclafani Bagni area, Sicily (South Italy), in the 2007 growing season. Rows were North East-South West oriented and vines were spur pruned and non-irrigated. The aim was to investigate the effects of two different ways of defoliation on plant physiology, vegetative parameters, yield and grape quality in a warm temperature area. Fruit zone defoliation consisted of mechanical (MLR) and hand leaf removal (HLR), applied either to both sides of the canopy (Northweast and Southeast). These treatments were applied when the berries had reached pea size and compared to a non-defoliated treatment (co…

Gestione Idrica

Effetto del regime idrico sulla crescita e distribuzione dell'apparato radicale in Vitis vinifera L

Shoot Positioning: Effect on Physiological, Vegetative and Reproductive Parameters

Comportamento vegeto-produttivo di viti gestite in asciutto e con strategia di deficit idrico controllato realizzato mediante diversi metodi irrigui

Effetti di due livelli di stress idrico sul comportamento vegeto-produttivo e sulla qualità dell’uva in viti irrigate “a goccia” della cv. Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ruolo delle distanze di impianto nella formazione del vigneto

La doppia produzione annuale nella viticoltura da tavola in Sicilia

Sampling strategy and minimum sample size to judge correct determination of grape maturity

The key to a good estimate of fruit maturity is to collect a sample that is truly representative of the entire harvested unit (i.e., block of one variety, plot). It is important to recognize the high level of variability in fruit composition that exists within a vineyard and even within a single fruit cluster. The target of this research was to determine grape quality selecting a correct sampling strategy (part of cluster, bunch and whole vine) and minimum sample size according to vineyard variability. The results show less variability on part of bunches than whole vine and single bunch samples. Less amount of grape samples, over estimated primary and secondary metabolite levels. Finally th…

EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND SOIL TYPE ON ROOT GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTION OF VITIS VINIFERA L. CV NERO D'AVOLA

High-throughput 18K SNP array to assess genetic variability of the main grapevine cultivars from Sicily

The viticulture of Sicily, for its vocation, is one of the most important and ancient forms in Italy. Autochthonous grapevine cultivars, many of which known throughout the world, have always been cultivated in the island from many centuries. With the aim to preserve this large grapevine diversity, previous studies have already started to assess the genetic variability among the Sicilian cultivars by using morphological and microsatellite markers. In this study, simple sequence repeat (SSR) were utilized to verify the true-to-typeness of a large clone collection (101) belonging to 21 biotypes of the most 10 cultivated Sicilian cultivars. Afterwards, 42 Organization Internationale de la Vigne…

EFFECT OF TIPPING AND TOPPING ON SHOOT UNIFORMITY: PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON SINGLE CORDON TRAINED CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND MERLOT

The study was carried out in a two year old Merlot/140 Ru and Cabernet Sauvignon/140 Ru vineyards during the 2004 growth season. Vines were spaced 2.4 m x 0.9 m in North-South orientated rows. Each vine had five to six shoots. The vineyards were drip irrigated (800 m3/Ha/season). Shoots more than 100 cm were tipped or topped at pea berry size development stage. Tipping of Merlot vines reduced shoot growth and variability of all vegetative parameters. Topping of Cabernet Sauvignon reduced variability of shoot Diameter and increased lateral shoot growth.

Effetti antileucemici di due stilbeni identificati in uve provenienti da vigneti affetti da peronospora e Botrytis cinerea

La gestione del vigneto siciliano per la produzione di uva di qualità e la riduzione dei costi.

Il livello qualitativo dell’uva è di fondamentale importanza per l’ottenimento di un prodotto enologico di qualità. La produttività della vite, sia in termini qualitativi che quantitativi, è determinata dall’interazione tra il genotipo, l’ambiente e le tecniche colturali Sin dall’impianto, il viticoltore dovrebbe essere impegnato ad effettuare scelte colturali finalizzate a ridurre la variabilità tra le piante. La gestione del sistema vigneto deve essere indirizzata alla riduzione dei costi di produzione ed al miglioramento della qualità. In tal senso, il cambiamento che sta subendo l’impostazione e la gestione della spalliera in Sicilia è un aspetto positivo. Attraverso le diverse tecniche…

Berry Size and Qualitative Characteristics of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Syrah

The effect of variation in berry size on berry composition was studied in irrigated Syrah/R99 grapevines, located in a temperate area of South Africa. Berries from 45 clusters, sampled from both sides of the canopy (east and west), were weighed to create four categories: 1. less or equal to 1.5 g; 2. between 1.51 g and 2.00 g; 3. between 2.01 g and 2.50 g; 4. more than 2.50 g. Berry physical characteristics were determined and total anthocyanins and seed flavonoids were analysed by spectrophotometry and anthocyanin profiles by HPLC. The ratio of skin weight:berry weight did not change with increasing berry size, but the ratio of seed weight:berry weight increased. For total anthocyanins, va…

Moscato Cerletti, a rediscovered aromatic cultivar with oenological potential in warm and dry areas

Baron Antonio Mendola was devoted to the study of grapevine, applying ampelography and dabbling in crosses between cultivars in order to select new ones, of which Moscato Cerletti, obtained in 1869, was the most interesting. Grillo, one of the most important white cultivars in Sicily, was ascertained to be an offspring of Catarratto Comune and Zibibbo, the same parents which Mendola claimed he used to obtain Moscato Cerletti. Thus the hypothesis of synonymy between Moscato Cerletti and Grillo or the same parentage for both sets of parents needs to be verified.In the present study, historical documents were consulted and genetic analyses and ampelographic, agronomic and qualitative character…

ULTERIORI APPROFONDIMENTI DEGLI EFFETTI DELLA DIMENSIONE DEGLI ACINI SULLA QUALITA’ DELL’UVA NELLA CV CABERNET SAUVIGNON

In this study we reported the results of a second year of study conducted during 2008 season on irrigated Cabernet Sauvignon\ 1103 P vineyard. We addressed the study of whether differences in berry size (within a population of berries from different bunches) would lead to differences in qualitative parameters and whether flowering process can influence berries variability and qualitative parameters. Berries were classified at pea size into two categories according to their equatorial diameter: ≤ 7 mm as small and ≥ 9 mm as large berries. Development of the two berry categories was evaluated from “pea size” (12th June) to harvest (16th September) in terms of berry mass, equatorial berry diam…

Pre dawn, stem and leaf water potential evolution in Vitis vinifera L. cv Nero d’Avola/1103 P. under different water regime

Pre dawn, stem and leaf water potential evolution under different water regime were investigated in Nero d’Avola cultivar grafted onto 1103 Paulsen. The study was carried out in Rapitalà winery located in Alcamo DOC area in western Sicily. The vines were 2.4 m x 0.95 m spaced, for a density of 4385 vines/ha. Vines were trained to a vertical trellis system, spur pruned. The vineyard was drip irrigated (4 l/h). Three treatments were applied: 1. vines grown without irrigation water: dry condition; 2. vines irrigated until véraison with 560 m3 : late stress; 3. vines irrigated until ripeness with 1120 m3 : no stress. The aim of the study was to find the different behaviors of Ψp, Ψl e Ψs during…

Effetti delle modificazioni del microclima dei grappoli mediante sfogliatura e copertura con rete ombreggiante sulla qualità dell'uva della cv Pinot nero in Sicilia

Phototropic and Geotropic Shoot Orientation: Effect on Physiological, Vegetative and Reproductive Parameters

Climate and quality in the grapevine: analysis of control factors at the toposcale in Sicily.

Orientamento dei filari e sfogliatura: effetti sulla qualità dell’uva nella cv Cabernet Sauvignon

La prova è stata svolta, nelle stagioni vegeto-produttive 2006 e 2007. Un trattamento di defogliazione precoce (DP) è stato, eseguito nel periodo compreso tra l’allegagione e la fase acino pisello (ø = 5 mm), mentre un trattamento tardivo (DT) è stato effettuato all’invaiatura (ø = 10,5 mm). Nel 2006, gli acini provenienti dalle piante defogliate precocemente hanno raggiunto il massimo contenuto di antociani per acino con circa 15 giorni di anticipo e con un valore superiore rispetto a quelli della tesi controllo, mentre nel 2007 l’ondata di calore verificatasi in agosto ha annullato gli effetti del trattamento. Il trattamento DT, esponendo gli acini a intensi flussi radiativi, ha causato, …

Effect of irrigation and soil type on root growth and distribution of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Nero d'Avola grown in Sicily

Berries variability: causes and effects on the quality of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’

In this study the objective was to investigate if differences in berry size (within a population of berries from different bunches) and flowering process would lead to differences in qualitative parameters and berries variability. The trial was conducted during the 2009 vegetative season at an irrigated ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’/1103 P vineyard. At the beginning of flowering, for 100 inflorescences, all open flowers were marked by red ink while 5 days later, closed flowers were marked by black ink. Open and closed flower distribution was investigated along the rachis. At pea size, 20 marked bunches were sampled. The diameter and weight of all berries was measured and Gaussian distribution was pe…

Influenza dell’ambiente e delle tecniche colturali sulla potenzialità produttiva della cv “Inzolia”: Risultati di un biennio di osservazioni nella Sicilia sud-occidentale

Effetti del regime colturale e della sfogliatura sull'attività vegetativa e produttiva della cultivar 'Nero d'Avola'

In Sicilia, caratterizzata da estati calde e poco piovose l’irrigazione e gli interventi in verde rivestono una grande importanza nella definizione del risultato produttivo e qualitativo del vigneto. È stato perciò condotto uno studio, confrontando in due differenti suoli argillosi, piante defogliate all’allegagione con piante non defogliate, in condizioni di regime asciutto e di regime irriguo, gestito, quest’ultimo, col potenziale fogliare pre-dawn. Da un’analisi dell’attività vegeto-produttiva delle piante e qualitativa delle uve sono emerse differenze significative tra i trattamenti, tra i regimi irrigui e in alcuni casi è emerso anche un effetto interazione. La defogliazione precoce ha…

Cover Crop and Pruning Residue Management to Reduce Nitrogen Mineral Fertilization in Mediterranean Vineyards

This paper aimed to study the effect of temporary cover crop and vine pruning residue burial as alternative practices to conventional tillage on soil nitrate (NO3-N) availability and grapevine performance in the short term. The trial was carried out in a rain-fed vineyard (Vitis vinifera L., cv Grecanico dorato/140 Ruggeri) located in a traditional Mediterranean viticultural area (37&deg

Effect of artificial shading on the tannin accumulation and aromatic composition of the Grillo cultivar (Vitis vinifera L.)

Abstract Background White wine quality, especially in warm climates, is affected by sunlight and heat stress. These factors increase the probability that ambering processes will occur and reduce the potential flavour compounds. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sunlight reduction on the accumulation of polyphenolic and aromatic compounds. Results This study was conducted in a commercial vineyard containing V. vinifera L. cv Grillo. Opaque polypropylene boxes (100% shading) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) net bags (50% shading) were applied at fruit set. The effect of the shaded treatments was compared to the exposed fruit treatment. The shaded treatments resulted in heavier…

ESTIMATION OF LEAF AREA BY MEANS OF LINEAR REGRESSION EQUATION IN VITIS VINIFERA L.: LIMITS AND ADVANTAGES

The aim of the study was to calculate regression model between leaf area and shoot length to obtain leaf area evaluation by indirect method and the factors influencing this relathionship. This research was carried out for 4 years in a vineyard located in Trapani area on three red cultivars grafted onto 1103 p, trained to simple cordon system and pruned with different methods. The vines were drip irrigated. High correlation existed between leaf area and shoot length and no influence played numerousness of samples. b1 of linear regression showed an increment of values at veraison than at berry set, because of b1 increment in lateral shoots in manual pruning and in the main lateral shoots for …

LA GESTIONE DEL VIGNETO SICILIANO

Soil and Regulated Deficit Irrigation Affect Growth, Yield and Quality of ‘Nero d’Avola’ Grapes in a Semi-Arid Environment

The present work studied the effect of two consecutive years of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) compared to rain fed management on the vegetative growth, yield, and quality of ‘Nero d’Avola’ grapes. The trial was conducted separately in two soils (vertisol and entisol) located at the top and bottom hillside of the same vineyard. Vertisol was characterized by greater depth, organic matter, exchangeable K20, and total N than entisol. RDI was based on an irrigation volume at 25% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc) up to end of veraison and 10% of estimated ETc up to 15 days before harvest. Predawn water potential (PDWP) was used as indicator of plant water status and irrigation timin…

Influence of light exclusion on anthocyanin composition in "Cabernet Sauvignon"

Berry characterisation of cv shiraz according to position on the rachis

In this study, characterisation of the physical and compositional parameters of berries located in different positions on the rachis of Shiraz/R99 bunches was done. Berries were divided according to position on the rachis (apical, median and basal) and berry weight, resulting in four berry weight classes, averaging 0.86 g, 1.29 g, 1.74 g and 2.26 g and 0.74, 1.18, 1.59 and 2.09 cm3, respectively. The berries were analysed individually. The fresh weight of the berries comprised approximately 4% seeds, 20% skin and 76% flesh. Different percentage distributions were found for each class of berry weight and according to position on the rachis. From the top to the bottom rachis position, an incr…

Zibibbo giallo, adatto anche come uva da tavola

Considerazioni sulla coltivazione in fuori suolo dell'uva da tavola

Effetto dell'epoca di sfogliatura sul comportamento vegeto produttivo della cv Cabernet Sauvignon in Sicilia

La gestione dell'irrigazione in vitis vinifera L. adottando la strategia di "Deficit idrico controllato" in ambiente caldo-arido

STUDIO DELLA VARIABILITà INTRAVARIETALE DEL NERO D'AVOLA: LA PIù IMPORTANTE CULTIVAR A BACCA NERA DELLA SICILIA

EFFECT OF ARTIFICIAL SHADING ON POLYPHENOLIC ACCUMULATION AND AROMATIC COMPOSITION OF GRILLO CV (VITIS VINIFERA L.)

Comportamento vegeto-produttivo della cultivar Nero d’Avola sottoposta a diversi regimi idrici in differenti profili pedologici.

Dimensione degli acini e caratteristiche qualitative della cv Syrah

Sono stati studiati nell’ambito della variabilità naturale riscontrata in un vigneto della cv Syrah, gli effetti della dimensione degli acini e dell’esposizione dei grappoli sui componenti dell’acino e sulla qualità dell’uva. Da entrambe le pareti della chioma (est ed ovest) sono stati pesati gli acini di 45 grappoli suddivisi in tre repliche in modo da determinare quattro classi di diverso peso (1. inferiore o uguale a 1,5 g; 2. tra 1,51 e 2,00 g; 3. tra 2,01 e 2,50 g; 4. maggiore di 2,50 g). Il rapporto peso buccia/peso acino non è variato all’aumentare della dimensione degli acini mentre è variato il rapporto peso semi/peso acino. Gli antociani totali sono stati determinati per via spett…

Alternative nursery propagation for vineyards establishment

Dead vines are often a problem present in many vineyards and are due to physiological or pathological causes whereby the vines need to be replaced. The aim of the trial was to create in the nursery plant material of four cultivars in order to easily replace the dead vines in the vineyards but also to anticipate the first harvest and to improve the vineyard uniformity and synchronize the vineyard management practices during the first two years of plantation. During the first year in the nursery, the effect of plant density on the percentage of success and vegetative growth was evaluated. During the second year, in the open field and only for one cultivar, the vegetative and reproductive para…

Millerandage and flower abscission in ‘Grillo’, ‘Frappato’ and ‘Nero d’Avola’ grapevines: Some probable causes

Some Sicilian cultivars, in particular vintage, showed a high percentage of flower abscissions and shot berries. In this paper, to understand these phenomena, some aspects of the flower morphology of three Sicilian cultivars (two black: ‘Nero d’Avola’ and ‘Frappato’; and one white: ‘Grillo’) was studied. The number of stamens, ovule adherence to the ovary wall and pollen germination were evaluated using standard light microscopy. At harvest, seed number was counted on 30 berries per cultivar. The percentage of six stamens was lowest in ‘Frappato’ and highest in ‘Grillo’. The ovule adherence to the ovary wall was highest in ‘Frappato’ and lowest in ‘Nero d’Avola’. The percentage of pollen ge…

Effetti dell’altitudine e dell’orientamento filari sulla qualità dell’uva ed in particolare sulla componente polifenolica della cv "Pinot nero’"

Identification of aroma compaunds of Vitis Vinifera L. flowers by SPME GC-MS analysis

Using a gas chromatographic method (GC-MS-analysis), it was possible to determine the volatile constituent of an odorous flower from Vitis vinifera varieties growing in Sicily. More than 50 compounds were identified and the technique allowed us to determine that sesquiterpenes, as well as monoterpenes such as limonene and cymene, were the principal components. The odour-profiles allowed us to distinguish between variety groups or even single varieties.

Response of grapevine (Cabernet Sauvignon cv) to above ground and subsurface drip irrigation under arid conditions

Abstract The response of wine grapes to irrigation systems was investigated in a Cabernet Sauvignon/140 Ru vineyard in sandy loam soil in Sicily during a two-year study. Two different drip irrigation systems were evaluated: one surface drip and two subsurface drip irrigation systems, with the trickle line located at different distances from vine trunks. Vegetative and quantitative parameters, must quality and root distribution were compared among irrigation treatments. During the two study years, irrigation of grapevines via a subsurface drip system resulted in greater water use efficiency without affecting must composition. Establishing the trickle line near the trunk positively influenced…

Phenotypic traits of berries and seeds of Sicilian grape cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.)

Abstract Grapevine is characterized by high variability in seed and berry morphology and their phenotypic traits are usually used to describe V. vinifera varieties. The goal of this study was to investigate the phenotypic diversity of berry and seed traits and the relationships between berry and seed morphological characteristics of autochthonous accessions of Sicilian germplasm. In two seasons, twenty bunches per cultivar were harvested at technological maturity. Berry weight; berry longitudinal and transversal diameters; seed number/weight per berry; and seed length, thickness, width and beak length were determined, after which the diameter ratio was calculated. Black and white cultivars …

MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT GRAPE SEEDS FROM A SINK IN THE MIDDLE-AGE TOWN OF PALERMO

The archaeological excavations in Piazza della Vittoria, in the Roman-Middle Age town of Palermo (Sicily) put in light a sink 3.20 m deep and 1 square m. large, partially filled by thin organic sediments. Grape seeds (grape-stones), fish scales and few vertebrate bones have been found in specific strata sealed under a stratum chronologically attributed to Islamic Middle-Age period (a post-quem limit). The finding of well preserved grape seeds is peculiar and their study opens the opportunity to improve the actual knowledge about evolution, cultivation, use and trade of Vitis L. in the Mediterranean area. This preliminary work focuses on morphologic and morphometric analysis of the ancient g…