Speaker: Prof. Kai Voss-Fels, Professor of Plant Breeding, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Germany

Abstract

This seminar presents an overview over the grapevine improvement program at Geisenheim, including a case study on clonal variation within traditional cultivars and perspectives on predictive breeding.

Using integrated phenotypic, genomic and epigenomic data, substantial variation is observed within elite germplasm, with strong clonal effects contributing to phenotypic diversity. This variation can be linked to trait architecture and incorporated into genomic prediction, highlighting new opportunities to improve breeding efficiency.

Kai Voss-Fels is Professor and Head of Plant Breeding at Hochschule Geisenheim University, Germany. His research focuses on genomics, quantitative genetics, and grapevine breeding, aiming to develop new approaches to accelerate genetic gain in horticultural crops.

Host: Silvia Vezzulli and Laura Costantini

Internal seminar – FEM staff and invited guests only