Tbilisi. The importance of the Caucasus grapevine for the history of oenology is well known. In Georgia, in fact, recent discoveries place the first traces of vinification 8000 years ago, 600 – 1000 years behind previous discoveries, particularly in Iran. The results of a research study carried out by the University of Milan, published in “Scientific Reports”, reveals that the germplasm of Georgian grapevines possesses unique characteristics in terms of resistance to diseases and to peronospora in particular, the most fatal for grapevines. The research coordinated by Silvia Toffolatti and Gabriella De Lorenzis, researchers from the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the State University of Milan, led to the discovery of a rare defense system against peronospora in Vitis vinifera mgaloblishvili. This discovery will now paves the way for establishing different types of disease-resistant grapevines that are also suitable for producing quality wines. These will contribute to reducing the use of anti-asthosporic chemicals which, to date, represent the main source of environmental pollution in the sector. (9colonne)
