From Wild to Cultivated: The Long Journey of Grape Growing in Italy
Archaeologists Discover Evidence Suggesting Humans Domesticated Grapes Over a Thousand Year Period
Tracing back at least seven thousand years, the tale of grapevine cultivation in Italy has evolved gradually from the gathering of wild grapes to the farming of domesticated varieties. A research team from the University of Montpellier sheds new light on this transformation, now publicly available in PLOS One.
Despite Italy's significant influence on the global wine market, producing about 26 billion liters of wine each year, the history of viticulture across the western Mediterranean remained largely in the shadows. To shed light on these concealed roots, this team meticulously studied over 1700 grape seeds discovered at 25 archaeological sites scattered across Italy. This span of sites encompasses the Neolithic Age up to the Middle Ages.
Remnants of gather-only tactics could be traced back to roughly 1000 BC; those seeds were reminiscent of wild grapes due to their shape and size. The transition occurred around the first millennium BC as seeds started to bear resemblances to modern cultivars, albeit with varying levels of domesticity across different regions. By the 7th century AD, grape cultivation was prevalent across Italy, with seeds indistinguishable from those of contemporary varieties.
Researchers deduce that viticulture may have originated in Italy during the late Bronze Age, with domestic varieties emerging gradually through the cross-breeding of wild and cultivated grapevines. They urge further investigation to better comprehend the timeline of English grape cultivation and the Mediterranean as a whole.
In the past, dogs have been enlisted to sniff out fungal infections in vineyards for early disease detection and prevention.
Raw Canine Detectors
Dogs' exceptional sense of smell make them adept at identifying naturally occurring ethylene compounds emitted by diseased grapevines, aiding in swift intervention before the malady spreads. With further training and research, these noble pets could prove invaluable in the preventative care of vineyards.
In the realm of environmental science and agricultural research, the potential application of dogs' keen noses in detecting fungal infections in vineyards, specifically by identifying ethylene compounds emitted by diseased grapevines, offers promising possibilities for early disease prevention and control. As the field of canine-assisted grape cultivation continues to develop, these animals could become valuable allies in the home-and-garden lifestyle, contributing significantly to the health and sustainable production of wine in both Italy and beyond.
