Plastid genomics of wild grapevines (<i>Vitis vinifera</i> subsp. <i>sylvestris</i>) of Georgia the cradle of viticulture

The species Vitis vinifera (common grape) is dividing into two sub-species: Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera (cultivated grapevines) and Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris (wild grapevines). Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera is widely utilised for table fruits and serves as the primary source for the production of grape-related beverages, including wine and vinegar. Wild grapevines (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) are of great interest as they are considered the progenitors of cultivated varieties and are key to understanding the grapevine domestication process in general. To unlock the molecular mechanisms of grapevine domestication, genome-based studies are widely carried out. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of two Georgian wild grapevine samples is subject to Illumina sequencing and in silico genome assembly, followed by gene annotation. According to the results, each analysed chloroplast genome is 160.928 bp in length, comprises a total of 128 genes (83 protein coding, 37 tRNA, 8 rRNA) and belongs to the genetically unique ‘Rkatsiteli’ haplotype (AAA). A comparative genomic study reveals the presence of certain InDels and SNPs in the chloroplast genomes.