Micropropagation of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

Abstract

Vitis vinifera is the only species of the genus Vitis that is of commercial interest; its thousands of varieties are spread all over the world. The total world surface area devoted to Vitis vinifera, which showed continuous growth during the 30-year period from 1950 to 1980 (8 845 130 ha to 10 213 000 ha) has shown a decrease since then (1986: 9 696 000 ha). This decrease has continued and seems to be related to economic conditions and measures implemented by the EEC and other countries to uproot grapevines.