Do Grape Seeds Show Traits of Domestication?

Greg Howard
18th June, 2024

Do Grape Seeds Show Traits of Domestication?

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche studied grapevine domestication using molecular, ampelographic, and morphometric techniques
  • They identified a "domestication syndrome" in grape seeds, characterized by a long stalk (greater than 1 mm)
  • Modern grape cultivars show high domestication index values and probabilities, distinguishing them from wild grapevines
The domestication of the common grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) has long intrigued scientists, particularly in understanding the genetic and morphological changes that distinguish cultivated varieties from their wild ancestors. A recent study conducted by researchers at Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche sheds new light on this topic by employing a combination of molecular, ampelographic, and morphometric techniques to explore what they term the "domestication syndrome" in grape seeds[1]. The domestication syndrome refers to a set of traits that are consistently found in domesticated plants but not in their wild relatives. In the case of grapevine seeds, the researchers identified a distinct syndrome characterized by a long stalk (greater than 1 mm). To quantify this, they proposed a combined domestication index integrating six commonly used indices. Using logistic regression and randomForest machine learning methods, they assessed the probability of seed domestication across 4029 seeds from 783 samples, which included live plants (cultivated, wild, feral), archaeological samples, and fossils. The findings indicate that modern cultivars exhibit high domestication index values (ranging from 0.83 to 1) and high probabilities of domestication (0.75 to 1). These traits are absent in wild grapevines, making it easier to differentiate between cultivated and wild varieties in archaeological contexts. Interestingly, while this domestication syndrome is characteristic of Vitis vinifera, it is not exclusive to it, suggesting isolated domestication events in some American and Asian Vitis species. This study builds on earlier research that explored the origins and genetic relationships of grapevines. For instance, previous studies suggested multiple origins for cultivated grapevines, with significant genetic contributions from both the Near East and the western Mediterranean region[2]. The current study's findings support this multilocal domestication theory by showing that domesticated traits are prevalent in modern cultivars but not in wild populations. Moreover, the study's focus on seed morphology aligns with earlier work that highlighted the differences in seed shape between wild and domesticated grapes. Prior research demonstrated that wild grapes tend to have roundish pips with short stalks, while cultivated varieties have more elongated pips with longer stalks[3]. The new study's identification of a long stalk as a key domestication trait corroborates these earlier observations. The study also ties into archaeological findings from early urban centers in Central Asia, where grape pips showed a range of variation from wild to domesticated forms[4]. This gradient of domestication traits in archaeological samples suggests a gradual process of grapevine domestication, with early cultivators possibly selecting for certain desirable traits over time. Furthermore, the research touches on the genetic underpinnings of grapevine domestication, particularly the role of sexual systems. Previous studies have shown that Vitis vinifera can exhibit different flower types, with cultivated varieties often being hermaphroditic, a trait that likely facilitated their domestication[5]. The current study's use of molecular techniques to identify domestication traits in seeds complements this understanding by providing a genetic basis for these morphological changes. In summary, the study from Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche offers a comprehensive look at grapevine domestication by integrating multiple scientific approaches. It not only confirms the presence of a distinct domestication syndrome in grape seeds but also ties together various strands of earlier research, providing a more nuanced understanding of how and where grapevine domestication occurred.

AgricultureGeneticsPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Is there a domestication syndrome in Vitis (Vitaceae) seed morphology?

Published 17th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-024-02023-1

Related Studies

2) Multiple origins of cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sativa) based on chloroplast DNA polymorphisms.

Journal: Molecular ecology, Issue: Vol 15, Issue 12, Oct 2006

3) Eco-evo-devo implications and archaeobiological perspectives of trait covariance in fruits of wild and domesticated grapevines.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239863

4) Morphotype broadening of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) from Oxus civilization 4000 BP, Central Asia.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-19644-0

5) Vitis flower types: from the wild to crop plants.

https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7879


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