Powdery mildew – resistant Victoria Red grape variety for breeding programm

Currently, in connection with the increasing harmfulness of powdery mildew in vineyards, it is especially important to grow grape varieties genetically resistant to this phytopathogen, including table grapes varieties. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential and prospects of using in the selection of grapes for resistance to phytopathogens of the American selection table grape variety Victoria Red. Variety study was carried out according to generally accepted methods in viticulture at the experimental vineyard of elite grapes of the Don Ampelographic Collection (DAK) All-Russian Research Institute named after Ya. I. Potapenko for Viticulture and Winemaking – Branch of Federal State Budget Scientific Institution «FRARC», Novocherkassk, Rostov Region in 2018–2020. Vineyards not irrigated, not covered, grafted, rootstock Riparia×Rupestris 101-14.3×1.5 m planting scheme, horizontal bilateral cordon training system of VSP. We believe that the Victoria Red variety in terms of the sum of its economically valuable qualities (high yield, resistance to phytopathogens, early ripening of berries, heat and drought resistance) can be a source or donor in the grape breeding program for immunity. Can also recommend this grape variety for growing in the backyard in non-traditional zones of grape growing, with the obligatory winter cover of the bushes and 1–2 preventive spraying from diseases. The Victoria Red grape variety does not fully comply with the modern requirements for table grape varieties in commercial industrial growing, in terms of the size characteristics of bunches and berries, but it is of undeniable interest for use in the table grapes breeding programs for resistance to fungal diseases, since it has a high genetic resistance to major grapes diseases. The minor shortcomings of this grape variety include quite low frost resistance and cold-hardiness, which is an obstacle to its growing in non-covered culture in the northern zone of industrial viti-culture of the Russian Federation.