This document provides information on the status of biodiversity of grapes. It discusses the origin and distribution, species, varieties, and rootstocks of grapes. Some key points are: - Grapes originated in Armenia and were introduced to India from Iran and Afghanistan. India now has over 50 species, 1100 varieties, and 37 rootstocks. - The two main centers of origin for grapes are North America (for American grapes like Labrusca) and the Caucasus region (for European Vinifera grapes). - Important grape species discussed include Vinifera, Riparia, Labrusca, Aestivalis, Rotundifolia. Salient features of each are provided. - India has a wide variety of

2. STATUS OF BIODIVERSITY OF GRAPES
Botanical Name: Vitis vinefera
Family : Vitaceae
INTRODUCTION
The history of Grape culture is as old as that of man. grape has attained considerable
importance as a cultivated plant in Southern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean and North
Africa.
ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION
It is subtropical fruit but adapted to tropical conditions. It is native to Armenia, a
district near the Caspian Sea in Russia.It was introduced to India by the invaders of
Iran and Afghanistan. India has about 54 species, 1102 varieties and 37 root stocks due
to introduction from other countries.

3. • Euvitis – referred as "True grapes" or "Bunch grapes". It has elongated
clusters of fruit
It possesses forked tendrils and most of the (Vitis vinifera) species found in
these subgenera.
• Muscadinia– referred as Muscadine grapes. It has small fruit clusters,
thick-skinned fruit, berries that detach one-by-one as they mature.
It possesses simple tendrils. There are only 2-3 species in this section.
TWO CENTERS OF ORIGIN FOR GRAPES
• The American grapes, including Vitis labrusca, other species
of Euvitis and Muscadina originated in North America region where the
largest collection of native Vitis species occurs.
• Vitis vinifera, the European grape originated primarily in Caucasus region
between Caspian Sea and black Sea .Vitis vinifera was introduced to
Philippines during 1958 from California.

4. SPECIES STATUS OF GRAPES
• Vitis cordifolia
• Vitis bicolour
• Vitis labrusca
• Vitis aestivalis
• Vitis cinerea var baileyana
• Vitis riparia
• Vitis rupeatris
• Vitis aestivalis

5. Salient features of the some important species are given below
Vitis riparia
 V. riparia vine have been known to withstand temperatures of up
to -57˚ C and first to flower among the Vitis species.
 The foliage is typically resistant to mildew and black rot and the
roots resist phylloxera.
 The berries are however, are often sensitive to mildew and black
rot if the vine is exposed to prolonged wet and humid conditions.
 The berries are small, purple black and acidic in flavor.

6. Vitis. riparia

7. Vitis.vinifera

8. Vitis. labrusca :
 Berries are large, round and black to amber in colour.
The skin is thick and slips from the pulp at maturity.
It is cold hardy, blooms earlier than vinifera and is resistant to
many pests and diseases.
The important cultivars are Concord, Isabella, and Rogers etc

9. Vitis.labrusca

10. Vitis aestivalis
The berries are small. It blooms after V.labrusa.
 It is resistant to many fungal diseases but susceptible to Phylloxera.
 It is adapted to hot climatic conditions.
 The American cultivars like Delaware, Herbemont and Denoir
have been developed by crossing this species with V.vinefera.

11. Vitis aestivalis

12. Vitis rotundifolia
Muscadines are a grapevine species native to the present-day
South-Eastern region.
They are well adapted to their native warm and humid
climate; they need fewer chilling hours ,they thrive on summer
heat.
Muscadine grapes are rich sources of polyphenols and other
nutrients studied for their potential health benefits.

13. Vitis rotundifolia

14. Vitis. rupestris

15. Vitis lanata :
 A woody deciduous species found throughout the Himalayas at
alttitudes ranging from 1500-2100m MSL.
The berries and roots are edible and the berries are resistant to
rain damage.
 Intraspecific variation is abundant in this species

17. V.parviflora :
The species is grown at altitudes between 600 and 1800m MSL
It has small, globose black or white coloured berries.The white berries
strain has reflexed stamen (female or male sterile) and hence useful for
mass breeding. This species is moderately resistant to downy and powdery
mildew diseases

18. Vitis. barbata.
This species is found in North-Bengal, parts of Assam and
Khasi hills of Meghalaya up to an elevation of 1200m MSL. It
has edible berries and a possible source of new grape hybrids

19. Vitis tomentosa :
This species is found in peninsular India along the Western ghats.
The berries are sub-globose and have 2-3 seeds. The roots are
used to allay swellings and the bark is used against piles.

20. Vitis. himalayana:
It has edible purplish berries with 2-4 seeds and usually ripens in
late October. The species is found throughout sub-Himalayan
region.
Vitis. amurensis :
It produces edible fruits and is resistant to cold and frost

21. VARIETIES OF GRAPES
INTRODUCTION
• Many of the varieties have been as introduction from Russia, Brazil,
Nigeria, Ukrain, Japan, Uzbekistan, USA, Canada, Korea and Morocco.
SEEDED VARIETIES
• Anab-e-shahi
• Bangalore blue
• Cheema sahebi
• Paccha Draksha
• Black Champa
• Champion
• Early muscat
• Gulabi
• Arka Kanchan
• Dilkush

22. SEEDLESS VARIETIES
Thompson seedless
Arka Vathi
Pusa Seedless
Perlette
Delight
Beauty Seedless
Arka Neelamani
Sarath Seedless
Red Globe
Arka Shweta
Arka Majestic
Arka Chitra
WINE GRAPES
Arka Soma
Arka Thrishna

24. Perlette
• This cultivar was developed by the
Univ of California,Davis by
Dr.H.P.Olmo.
• The most striking feature is the
translucency of the mature fruit.
• The French name Perlette means
little pearl popular var of Northern
and Western India.
• Bunch is medium to large sized
long sized,long conical shouldered
compact.
• Berry is small yellowish green.

25. Delight
 Sister seedling of Perlette.
 Early ripening habit & Characteristic mascat like flavour.
 It is less vigorous.
 The bunch is medium, compact, conical & attractive with
green, small & almost round berries has good eating &
shipping quality.

26. Himrod :
• It has done well in Pubjab, Haryana & U.P. it is a prolific bearer
vigorous and heavy yielder.
• Excellent in quality & mid season variety which is resistant to
diseases & pests.
• The skin is thick & rough.
• Bunches are attractive medium large, shouldered & well filled with
yellow, green

27. Seedless varieties
• Beauty Seedless:
• medium vigour,
• bunches medium to large,
• long compact,
• bluish black,,
• spherical,medium sized berries.
• It is an introduction from California(USA) and was
released for cultivation from IARI,New Delhi

28. Beauty Seedless

29. Thompson Seedless:
(AustralianSeedless,Kishmish,Sultania,Bedana)Also called as Oval
Kishmish in Eastern Mediterranean region and Sultana in Australia.
It is a table and raisin cultivar as well as dessert.
The berries are yellowish green to golden yellow when fully ripeelongated
quality is excellent.

30. Flame Seedless
• The Flame Seedless is a vigorous, heavy-
bearing table grape cultivar that keeps well
in storage. It is a hybrid of Thompson,
Cardinal, and several other Vitis vinifera
cultivars. It produces large clusters of
medium-large red grapes with a sweet flavor.
• The Flame Seedless was first introduced in
the 1970s. It is the second-most popular
grape in the United States

31. Crimson seedless
• The variety was released from
USA ,california in 1989.
• Vines are vigorous ,berries
uniform bright red,medium
bold to oblong to elliptical in
shape
• Flavour sweet,neutral

32. Pusa Seedless:
• It is a selection made at IARI New Delhi.
• bunches large conical to cylindrical ,
• long berries greenish white, ellipsoidal,
• resembles Thompson seedless with good keeping quality.

33. • Sonaka seedless : Bud sport of Thompson
seedless
• Tas-E- Ganesh:Bud sport of Thompson seedless
Sonaka Seedless
Tas-E-Ganesh

34. • Sharad seedless : selection from beauty seedless
made by grapevine growers.

35. Black seedless

36. Midnight Beauty

38. Arka Neelamani : ( Black champa X Thompson seedless )
moderately vigorous, bunches med in size,well filled, uniform
& attractive.
• Berries are slightly elongated, dark red to black with a TSS of
22 to 24 brix.

39. Arkavathi ( Black Champa X Thompson seedless ) evolved
at IIHR, Bangalore medium sized bunches (500g) well filled
& long conical in shape.
• The medium size berries are spherical in shape, yellowish
green with thin skin and 20-250 brix TSS good yield
potential.

40. • kishmish : ‘Kishmish beli’ is a variety with berries which
are small sized, elongated and golden yellow.
• Kishmish charni is with brick red, spherical to slightly
elongated, medium sized berries.

41. Red Globe
• It was introduced from the University
of California in 1985
• Berries are bold,red,few seeded
• 16-18 t/ha,export quality

42. Seeded Varieties
• Anab – E- Shahi – imp & popular
grape var.
• the bunch is medium to large in size
and are moderately compact.
• The berry is oval in shape.
• It is amber in colour keeping quality
is good the vine bears in 20 -24
months after planting. The TSS is 12
– 16 Brix.
• It is a late maturing variety.

43. Bangalora Blue ( Bangalora purple)
• It is a natural hybrid between V.vinifera x V. lubrusca.
• Imp var around Bangalore used in brewer industry and also for
making juice med.
• Vigorous, medium yield, bunches hardly shouldered, compact,
berry small to medium, spherical in shape, thick skin (which
easily separates from pulp) dark blackish purplish colour with
uniform ripening.
• TSS 16-18 brix, pulp pale green. Acidity 0.8- 0.9%

44. BANGLORE BLUE

45. • Pacha Draksha (Bhokri, green grape) grown in Maharashtra
& T.N. vigorous vines, heavy yield.
• Bunch medium to large, compact, berries green, medium
size, round to slight oval seeded, soft pulp.
• TSS 17-18 brix. High acidity, keeping quality poor.

46. Muscat: (Muscat Hamburg, Gulabi, Karachi gulabi Black
Prince,Panner)
• bunches are pryamidal & pendulor berry small & medium, opening
uneven,
• TSS 16-17% the bunches are loose to well filled with yellowish green
berries which then golden yellow when over ripe.

47. • Arka Shyam :
• Cross of Banglora blue x Black Champa evolved at
IIHR,
• vine is moderately vigorous,
• bunches are medium(350g) well filled to compact,
berries are medium large, shining black,
• Spherical with mild foxy flavour TSS 22-25 Brix,
yield potential is good.

48. • Arka Kanchan :
• cross between Anab-E-Shahi & queen of vineyards
evolved at IIHR, Bangalore.
• The vines are vigorous each weighing 700 .
• The berries are large sized, golden yellow &
ellipsoidal to avoid in shape.
• Fruits have a pleasant Muscat flavour with a TSS
19-22 brix.

49. • Arka Hans :
• Cross between Anab –E-Shahi & Banglora blue
evolved at IIHR.
• The vigorous vines produce with filled medium
bunches each weighing 330g.
• Medium large size, berries are yellowish green in
colour with pleasant foxy flavour. TSS 18-21 Brix.

50. Kalisahebi :
• It is grown in M.R. & A.P., vine is vigorous with
moderate yield.
• Bunch is alternative well filled & medium sized.
• The berries are large black & elongated. It has thin
skin & sweet pulp.
• Has good keeping quality.

51. • Black Champa :
• It was selected from the introductions at IIHR,
Bangalore.
• The vines are vigorous with medium yielding capacity.
• It is a people grape of excellent quality, bunches are
small, well filled with small & medium black berries.
• It is susceptible to cracking & rotting during rains.

52. Dilkush :- it is a bud sport of Anab – E – Shahi
producing golden yellow elongated losses in
attractive bunches.

53. Concord
• high quality blue-black grape that is
delicious for fresh eating, juice, jelly
or jam.
• They have a tart, robust, slightly
musky grape flavor, and are not
nearly as sweet as many Old World
grapes
• The skin of a Concord grape is
typically dark blue or purple, and
often is covered with a lighter
colored "bloom" which can be
rubbed off.
• It is a slip-skin variety, meaning that
the skin is easily separated from the
fruit.

54. Manjari Naveen

56. Fantasy

57. Fantasy Seedless

58. Blush Seedless

59. Autumn Seedless

60. Autumn Royal

61. COMMERCIAL VARIETIES
Coloured Seeded : Bangalore Blue, Gulabi (Muscat)
Coloured seedless : Beauty seedless and Shared Seedless
White seeded : Anab-e-shahi, Dilkhush (clone of Anab-e-Shahi)
White seedless : Perlette, Pusa Seedless, Thompson Seedless
and its clones (Tas-A- Ganesh, Sonaka & Manik Chaman)
Currently, Thompson Seedless is the ruling grape, occupying 55% of the
area with its clones. Muscat is grown in Tamil Nadu where the rainfall is
low to moderate.

62. RAISIN MAKING
Thompson Seedless and its mutants viz. Sonaka, Tas-A-Ganesh, Manik
Chaman are mainly used for raisin production although Arkavati grape
found to be promising,NRC for Grapes, Pune have also come out with
varieties viz.
A 17-3
E 12/3
Mint Seedless
Superior Seedless
KR White
Manik Chaman
A 18-3 (Coloured seedless) and Cardinal found promising for the
production of raisin, but are yet to accept on commercial footing.

63. No. Situation/problem Rootstock
1. Water shortage 1103 P, 140 RU, 110 R, 420 A, SO 4, 99 R, St.
George, Dogridge
2. Soil EC > 2 m mhos/cm
water EC > 1 m mhos/cm
Ramsey, Dogridge, 140 RU, 99 R, 110 R.
3. Soil ESP >15 per cent and/or water Sodium
Absorption Ratio (SAR) > 8
140 RU, 1613, Ramsey, Dogridge
4. Free calcium content of soil is more than 12% 140 RU, SO 4, 420 A.
5. Chloride content of water is more than 4
meq/litre
Ramsey, Dogridge B, 140 RU, Teleki 5-C
6 Poor vigor of the variety without any soil/water
problem
Dogridge, St. George, SO 4, 140 RU.
7 For increased nitrogen, potassium uptake. Dogridge, St. George, 34 EM, Ramsey
8 For increased bud break 1613, B2-56.

64. COLLECTION AND CONSERVATION
• Most of the grape varieties grown in India belong to the species Vitis
vinifera and a few of them are of V.labrusca.
• A report of NBPGR, New Delhi indicated that 1850 accessions were
introduced through the bureau during 1947-1991.
• After the establishment of National Research Centre for Grapes,
Pune in 1997 an inventory of authentic and active germplasm sites in
India was made.

65. The most popular method of conserving the grape genetic material
is field gene bank.
National Research centre for Grapes (NRCG) has developed an
active gene bank which also serves as National active germplasm
site for grapes in the country. The following is the number of
accessions maintained as field gene bank at NRCG, Pune
White seeded : 85 Accessions in the field
Coloured Seeded : 160 Accessions in the
White seedless : 44 Accessions in the filed
Root stock accessions : 24 Accessions in the filed

66. S.
N
O.
Name of the germplasm centre Project/Scheme/Jurisdiction
Peak number of
Accessions made in the
past (Number
presently available)*
Accessions
obtained by
NRC Grapes,
Pune
1. IIHR, Bangalore ICAR Institute for tropical conditions 600 (135) 35
2. Division of Fruit Crops, IARI, New Delhi ICAR Institute for subtropical conditions 400 (30) 30
3.
Fruit Research Station, Ganesh Khind,
Pune/MPKV, Rahuri
Maharashtra 150 (Nil) Nil
4. Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
AICRP (STF) on Grapes, Centre for cytological
Investigations on Indigenous genera and species
150 (60) 45
5.
PAU, Ludhiana and its Regional Fruit
Research Station at Abohar and
Bhatinda, Punjab
AICRP (STF) on grapes as a coordinating for
North Indian conditions
600 (70) 30
6.
Regional Fruit Research Station, Sharbo,
Rekong Peo, Kinnaur District, Himachal
Pradesh
Indigenous species and varieties and also
introduced exotic varieties under humid
temperate conditions
65 (20) 10
7.
Growers' vineyards, Private wineries,
Individual growers etc. (Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
and Himachal Pradesh)
Commercial varieties introduced directly by
them
45 (40) 40
8.
Introductions at NRCG through NBPGR,
New Delhi (1997 – 2006)
Through bilateral agreements,
requests/purchases etc. Russia, Bulgaria, Oman,
Ukraine, Uzbekistan, USA, Nigeria, Korea, Brazil,
Italy
70 (68) 70

67. In vitro conservation technique to preserve pollen of Anab-e-Shahi,
Bangalore Blue, Bangalore Purple, Black Champa and Queen of
Vineyard cultivars in liquid nitrogen has been attempted at IIHR,
Bangalore and the stored samples recorded negligible loss of
germinability even after 3-5 years of cryopreservation (Anon, 1986)

68. POPULARIZATION OF EXOTIC CULTIVARS
National Research Centre in collaboration with Agricultural Produce Export
Development Authority (APEDA) initiated a multilocation project under pilot
scale in 8 different places,
 3 in Maharashtra( Nashik, Phaltan in Satara district and Pune,
 2 in Andhra Pradesh (Rangareddy and Anantpur districts)
 2 in Tamil Nadu(Theni in Cumbam Valley and Coimbatore)
 1 in Karnataka(Bangalore).
Under this project, cultivars viz., Crimson Seedless, Red Globe and Italia having
demand in International markets are included.
Recently Bred varieties like Autumn Royal, Autumn Seedless, Merquis and
Blush Seedles with international market in table grapes are being introduced
with financial help of National Horticulture Mission (NHM).

69. REFERENCES
• Anonymous.1986. Plant genetic resources research at IIHR, Bangalore, IIHR
News, 7(3): 1-5.
• Karibasappa, G.S. 2008. Grape in India. (Eds) Peter, K.V. Biodiversity in
Horticultural Crops. Daya Publishing House, New Delhi. Vol.2: pp. 189-201
• Jindal, P.C and Room Singh, 1993. Genetic Resources of Grapes. In Advances
in Horticulture, Vol.I – Fruit Crops Part I. (Eds). Chadha, K.L and O.P.Pareek.
pp.171-188