Priority areas and workplan for 2003/2004

1. Conservation activities

2. Training and scientific exchange

3. Genetic Identification – characterization of genotypes using molecular markers

4. Information and communication

5. Next meeting

1. Conservation activities
Responsible: Georgia and Milan University

The participants discussed their needs, priorities and capacities in view of developing a common strategy for the conservation of grapevine genetic resources in the region. The main results of the discussion conducted in two working groups are summarized as follows:

1.1 Mobilization of genetic resources

•  study of sources of material (traditional varieties and wild grapevine)

• inventory of the distribution area (use of geographic information system)

• collecting missions (joint collecting missions and collecting material in each country)

• documentation of collecting site information

• exchange of genetic material between countries (re-introduction of varieties)

1.2 Conservation measures

• establishment of 2-3 collections in different eco-geographic locations/countries

• micropropagation, clean-up if needed, virus identification; cryopreservation of particularly valuable genotypes

• conservation of wild grapevine (in situ measures with seeking adequate policy and legal support from national authorities; complementary ex situ measures for threatened forms; introduction into breeding programmes; research into levels and patterns of genetic variation; monitoring)

• exchange of experience on intellectual property protection with other European countries

1.3 Documentation and characterization

• adoption of common information standards for compilation of databases (wild grapevine, landraces, traditional varieties and breeding varieties)

• characterization of the germplasm using IPGRI descriptors (51)

• devote 10% of the germplasm for research purposes

• study of seeds of traditional varieties (archaeobotanic research)

Action and deadlines: Each country will develop a three-page proposal describing in detail the activities to be undertaken on mobilization, conservation, documentation and characterization. The proposals, in English languague, will be sent to the coordinators of this task, Osvaldo Failla and David Magradze at the University of Milano. The deadline for sending proposals is 1 December 2003. The coordinators will review each proposal and send their comments to IPGRI (Jozef Turok). IPGRI will send draft research contracts (“Letter of Agreement”) for the work to be undertaken between February – August 2004 by no later than 1 February 2004. The financial support provided in the framework fof the project during this period will range between 5 000 to 10 000 US$ for each country. The results will be presented at the next project meeting in September 2004.

IPGRI together with Milan University will facilitate adoption of common information standards and formats throughout the project period.

Each country will identify a focal person and an alternative focal person for the project. The following focal persons will represent their countries in the project:

Moldova – Gheorghe Savin

Russian Federation - Leonid Troshin

Azerbaijan – Mail Amanov

Armenia – Samvel Gasparyan

Georgia - Tamar Jinjikhadze
Ukraine -  Vladimir Volynkin

2. Training and scientific exchange
Responsible: CRPGL Luxemburg, Milan University, and Is.I.A.O./M.N.A.O. Rome

Research fellowships will be offered to outstanding young scientists from the six countries of the region on a competitive basis.

Jean-Francois Hausman described the purpose and mode of operation of the research fellowships offered by CRPGL in Luxembourg. The fellowships will cover the following areas of expertise: (a) micropropagation, clean-up methods, virus identification, cryopreservation; (b) research into levels and patterns of genetic variation; and (c) genetic identification. A total of three fully-funded fellowships are scheduled every year for three years. Each fellowship will be of three months duration and will be devoted to one of the areas of expertise. The fellowship can be extended to the same person by additional three months, provided that the total period of fellowships is nine months every year.

The research fellows will be selected on the basis of following requirements:

• technical background and experience in the area of grapevine conservation;

• documented, increasing responsibility in the area of grapevine conservation, research or management in the country concerned;

• communication/ language skills;

• age.

Upon receiving an application by E-mail (curriculum vitae and a brief, two-page description of the applicant’s current work and future plans), IPGRI will seek reference from the respective National Coordinator.

Lorenzo Costantini offered the possibility of fellowships at his institute (Is.I.A.O./M.N.A.O. in Rome). Osvaldo Failla mentioned the content of possible fellowships at the Milan University in the area of modern ampelography techniques. The details of these possible fellowships will be further developed and communicated in due course.

Action and deadlines: The 2003/2004 fellowships at CRPGL will be announced on the IPGRI web site by 1 December 2003. It is expected that first fellowships could start as of 1 March 2004.

3. Genetic Identification – characterization of genotypes using molecular markers
Responsible: Russian Federation (KOSS/VIR)

While genetic identification represents a significant task in some countries of the region (in particular Russian Federation and Ukraine), it was agreed that the joint workplan focuses on conservation activities (item 1). The project will potentially support genetic identification work only after country capacities and needs will have been properly analyzed. Should the project become directly involved in this area after the first project year (2003/2004), then development of efficient research capacity in the region will be the main objective. The experience and interest of some participants to develop this area within the project was acknowledged during the meeting.

The representative of VIR (Alexander Smurygin) was invited to formulate a common strategy/priorities in this area on behalf of the project. At the same time, a pilot study on identification of genotypes in traditional local varieties will be conducted at the Institute. The strategy document and results of the pilot study will be presented at the next project meeting in September 2004. The project budget will facilitate this task by providing a financial contribution of 4 000 US$.

Action and deadlines: A research contract will be established between KOSS/VIR and IPGRI before 1 January 2004.

4. Information and communication
Responsible: IPGRI

Action and deadlines: The project web site at www.ipgri.cgiar.org/regions/europe will include brief, two-page description on status and perspectives of grapevine genetic resources in each country plus an updated information sheet from each country. Each country’s focal person will send the two-page status report to IPGRI by 15 November 2003; IPGRI will publish the project web site by 1 December 2003. The information in Russian languague will be published on the Russian web site www.vitis.ru  (L. Troshin). The project web site will include a link to the European on-line search catalogue of ex situ collections (eurisco.ecpgr.org).

The possibility to publish full version of all contributions presented during the meeting was discussed. It was agreed to publish a Proceedings entitled “Conservation of Grapevine Genetic Resources in the Caucasus and Northern Black Sea Region”. The contributions, in Russian and in English, will be sent to IPGRI before 1 January 2004. The Proceedings will be published before the next meeting in September 2004.

The importance of public awareness articles in the press was emphasized by all participants.

Communication will be facilitated by functioning E-mail connection (responsibility of each participant) and by enhancing access to printed or electronic information, such as subscription to refereed journals (with financial support of US$ 1 000 for each participating country from project budget; to be included in the research contracts developed before 1 February 2004).

5. Next meeting
Responsible: Ukraine (Research Institute for Vine and Wine Magarach)

The meeting participants expressed their appreciation for the proposal made by the Institute of Magarach to host the next meeting in Ukraine. The meeting will tentatively be held during the week 15-20 September 2004. This meeting will be open to involving experts from other European countries, and to colleagues involved in forestry components of the project.