Comparative transcriptome analysis of wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ssp sylvestris) and commercial rootstock Richter 110 in response to salinity. AS1B and R110 comparative transcriptomic under salinity condition

The climatic change affects drastically the viticulture causing several abiotic stresses in grapevines through changes in water availability and salinity in the soil. Previous studies have shown that the genotype called AS1B, an accession of wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera L ssp sylvestris) founded out in a coastal area of Asturias (Spain), could have better survival rates than Richter 110, a commercial rootstock commonly used under high salinity conditions in the soil. To reveal the genetic basis involved in their different response to this abiotic stress, a transcriptomic profile of these accessions was built using RNA-sequencing. It was made a functional characterisation of the most expressed genes on different times and concentration of NaCl. The results showed that AS1B increased gene expression for ion transport and post-translational modifications, in comparison with Richter 110, which has a slower response on gene expression affecting pathways involved in hydric regulation and secondary metabolism. These results suggest that Richter 110 approach salinity conditions from a water stress perspective, having more proficiency in hydric regulation, but not for ion toxicity. This regulation would imply that Richter 110 cannot response with the same efficiency and specificity than AS1B, suffering further oxidative damage. These results indicate the potential suitability of AS1B as a good alternative to use as rootstock resistant to high salinity concentrations in soil, improving viticulture adaptation as consequence of climatic change.