New trial plots were established at the Jighaura experimental base of the Agriculture Scientific-Research Center to study cultivated grapevine varieties and phylloxera-resistant rootstocks.

The Agriculture Scientific-Research Center obtained budding material for 279 cultivated grapevine varieties from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRAE) vine collection.

This collaboration between the Scientific-Research Center and INRAE takes place within the framework of the international project '279 Network', which is part of the current memorandum.

“279 Network” is an international research project implemented within a consortium framework, where trial vineyards are established across different countries using the same grapevine varieties and same planting layouts. Along with France, several leading wine countries in Europe, Israel, the USA, and Georgia are participating in the project.

The main goal of the project is to study the behavior of identical grapevine genotypes under different climatic and environmental conditions, and to evaluate the genotype-by-environment interaction (G×E). A joint analysis of the data gathered from various countries will allow scientists to better assess the adaptive capabilities of these vine varieties under diverse conditions.

The research findings will help accelerate the selection process for grapevine varieties that are better adapted to climate change, while also advancing capabilities for predicting grapevine responses under different environmental conditions. Additionally, trial plots were established in Jighaura for the M2 and M4 rootstocks, which are new-generation, selective, phylloxera-resistant varieties imported from Italy.

The goal of the rootstock research is to study their adaptation to soil and climatic conditions, as well as the specific characteristics of grapevine growth and yield. The findings are important for increasing vineyard resilience in the face of climate change and ensuring a high-quality, stable harvest.

Current research at the Jighaura base contributes to the identification of promising grapevine genotypes and rootstocks for Georgian viticulture, as well as to the development of modern, sustainable viticulture.