Cultivation of Table Grapes in Japan and their Genetic Background

Grapes (Vitis spp) are a major fruit crop worldwide and are consumed as table grapes, wine, and raisins. Currently, the leading grape cultivars in the world are European (Vitis vinifera L.), and account for the majority of the worldwide production. European grapes, however, are highly susceptible to fungal diseases and to berry cracking when grown in wet climates. In eastern United States, breeders have attempted to improve the native American species through hybridization between European grapes and native species such as V. labrusca L. The interspecific hybrid cultivars derived from V. labrusca are classified asAmerican grapes (V. labruscana Bailey). In general, the fruit quality of European grapes is superior to American grapes for table and wine use. During the Meiji era, many European and American grape cultivars were introduced to Japan from foreign countries. However, the cultivation of European grapes failed due to severe diseases and berry cracking caused by Japan's wet climate. As a result, American grapes such as 'Campbell Early', 'Niagara, and 'Delaware' were selected. Japanese grape breeders have developed many cultivars such as 'Muscat Bailey A', 'Neomuscat', 'Kyoho', 'Pione', 'Kaiji and so on, using European and American cultivars as the parent stock. Recently, cultivation of 'Shine Muscat' has rapidly increased.