Evaluation of Winter Cold Tolerance in New Seedless Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Hybrids

Document Type : Research

Authors

1 assistant professor/ Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center

2 Silk Research Center (ISRC), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran

10.22092/rhsj.2026.371363.1136

Abstract

Winter cold is a major limiting factor for grape (Vitis vinifera L.) production in Iran’s cold regions. This study evaluated the cold tolerance of 10 new seedless grape hybrids from a breeding program, compared with control cultivars and species, at the Kahriz Horticultural Research Station, Urmia. A factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with four replications was conducted. The first factor included 16 genotypes (10 new seedless hybrids, cultivars Bidaneh Sefid, Rajan, Mam-Brayma, Ghezel-Uzum, Ghara-Gandumeh, and the cold-tolerant Vitis labrusca), and the second factor comprised five temperature levels (+4°C as control, -15°C, -18°C, -21°C, and -24°C). Primary and secondary bud damage, electrolyte leakage, shoot and cambium cold injury indices, and bud potassium concentration were measured. Bud damage and electrolyte leakage significantly increased with decreasing temperatures, with primary buds showing greater sensitivity (LT₅₀: -18°C to -21°C) due to higher water content. Vitis labrusca exhibited the highest cold tolerance, with 16.7% primary bud mortality and 0% secondary bud mortality at -24°C, alongside minimal electrolyte leakage. Hybrids H1 (derived from Bidaneh Sefid × Ghezel-Uzum) showed cold tolerance with 65.5% primary bud mortality at -24°C. No significant correlation was observed between bud potassium concentration and cold tolerance indices. The results highlight substantial genetic variation in cold tolerance among genotypes. Hybrid H1 recommended for breeding and cultivation in cold regions, with Vitis labrusca identified as a valuable genetic resource for enhanced cold tolerance.

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Research in Horticultural Sciences
Volume 4, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 139-151

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