Tunisian South Cultivated Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) -Foliar Composition on Major Mineral Elements-

The diversity of the local grapevine varietal set of Tunisia was remarkably noted in areas of Sfax, Kerkhennah, Gabes, Tozeur, Nafta, Degache, Zarzis and Djerba. Some varieties showed requested characteristics at the level of the production quality, its lateness and its fitness to take on tree, and its adaptation to various Tunisian pedoclimatic conditions. In an attempt to explore the genetic diversity of 25 autochthones cultivars of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in South East of Tunisia, the determination of leaves composition on major mineral elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) have permitted to appreciate the genetic variability inter-cultivars and its structuring in this collection. Data (PCA plot, cluster analysis) provide that some of these parameters were designed suitable to discriminate significantly few cultivars (ARCz, KORg, BAKz, MGB, BAK, TON, SAKj…). In fact, the recorded differences could be due to sever environmental conditions such as: nature of the soil, culture and climatic conditions, irrigation, salinity, position of leaves on the branches, rootstock etc.