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Molecular Characterization and Ex Situ Conservation of Wild Grapevines Grown in the Area Around the Neolithic Settlement of Dikili Tash, Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Georgios Merkouropoulos

    (Department of Vitis, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), 14123 Lykovryssi, Greece)

  • Ioannis Ganopoulos

    (Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Georgios Doupis

    (Department of Viticulture, Floriculture & Plant Protection, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), 71307 Heraklion, Greece)

  • Erika Maul

    (Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), 76833 Siebeldingen, Germany)

  • Franco Röckel

    (Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), 76833 Siebeldingen, Germany)

Abstract

Dikili Tash is a Neolithic settlement that lies next to the ruins of the ancient city of Philippi on the north-eastern part of Greece. A recent archaeological excavation has unearthed charred grapevine pips and pressings together with two-handed clay cups, jugs, and jars that date to 4300 BC. The majority of the pips were found to be Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris . Natural populations of this species have been localized in the valley surrounding Dikili Tash and also on Mt Pangaion and Mt Lekani, which flank the valley. Fifty-one samples from these modern populations have been analyzed using microsatellites on twenty microsatellite loci, and a dendrogram has been constructed showing the genetic closeness of the samples analyzed. Cuttings from all the vines analyzed are currently rooted and grown in the Hellenic Agricultural Organization—DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA) greenhouse facilities in Lykovryssi (Athens) with the aim to, eventually, be transplanted in the grapevine, thus establishing the first V. sylvestris ex situ conservation site in Greece.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgios Merkouropoulos & Ioannis Ganopoulos & Georgios Doupis & Erika Maul & Franco Röckel, 2025. "Molecular Characterization and Ex Situ Conservation of Wild Grapevines Grown in the Area Around the Neolithic Settlement of Dikili Tash, Greece," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:12:p:1301-:d:1680767
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