LAUSR

Viticulture is facing increasing challenges due to climate change. The focus on fast growth and sweet berries has come at the expense of stress resilience. Grafting onto Phylloxera‐resistant rootstocks from American species has been the most successful form of ecological pest management. However, there is still a significant reliance on chemical plant protection. Additionally, abiotic stress has not been a primary concern in rootstock breeding efforts so far. To identify genetic factors that contribute to abiotic stress tolerance, we propose to explore the potential of the wild ancestor of grapevine, Vitis sylvestris. By identifying resilience factors, we can develop a new generation of rootstocks or enhance grafted cultivars to protect viticulture from the impact of abiotic constraints.