Résumé
The natural diversity in the genus Vitis and more specifically for V. vinifera is important both at the morphological and molecular level. Much work has been devoted in the past years to the development of evaluation methods for many traits from composition of berries to disease resistance and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Vitis vinifera shows considerable variation in morphology and represents a huge reservoir of diversity for several traits in particular quality related traits and abiotic stresses. Similarly, the Vitis species show considerable variation in their habitat and wide morphological diversity. They represent a big reservoir for biotic stress tolerances to many diseases and to abiotic stresses.
The genetic diversity at the molecular level, mostly recorded by SSR markers and more recently by SNP, is also important, and similar to that found in maize or rice. Heterozygosity of grape is very high, thus rendering the analysis and use of this diversity more difficult. Diversity in important genes linked to agronomical traits is still poorly documented and may be of interest in helping the grape community to understand the functioning of the grape genome and to speed up the development of new cultivars tolerant or resistant to diseases, adapted to a changing environment and of optimal quality.