Molecular Evaluation of Vitality and Survival Rate of Dormant Kyoho Grape Seedlings: A Step toward Molecular Farming

Abstract

Vitality and survival rate of grape seedlings are crucial factors affecting quality of vineyards. There is no comprehensive study describing accurate evaluation of dormant grapevine seedlings’ vitality and survival rate. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of using molecular information to evaluate viability and survival rate of dormant seedlings before transplanting. After bare roots treatment, 1–5 day expression levels of six HKGs in four buds of tetraploid Kyoho grape (Vitis labruscana: V. labrusca × V. vinifera) seedlings were detected by (Sq.) RT-PCR and qRT-PCR for calibration of the molecular method. The results revealed that HKGs expression indicates vitality and survival of plant, higher expression was strongly linked to higher vitality and survival rate, lower expression was associated with lower vitality, and lowest expression was significantly associated with lowest vitality and survival rate. Moreover, DNA and RNA quality can superficially determine seedling qualities. Finally, the survival rate of the seedlings produced in Juxian-Shandong, Laixi-Shandong, Huailai-Hebei, Suizhong-Liaoning, Changli-Hebei, Guanxian-Shandong, and Zhangjiagang-Jiangsu was 100.00%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 87.77%, and 93.33%, respectively. In conclusion, molecular technique is potential approach for promoting gene information to estimate vitality and survival rate of dormant grape seedlings and might contribute to viticulturists’ efforts.