Abstract:In order to evaluate the variations among different grape varieties with distinct berry shapes, 666 grape germplasms were planted in the National Grape Germplasm Repository (Zhengzhou), and the berry shape associated characters were measured. Comprehensive evaluation and statistical analysis were carried out on the phenotypic variation of berry vertical and transverse diameter, individual berry weight and seed number, and the expression levels of genes that related to berry shape were analyzed as well. The analysis showed that, the berry shapes of cultivated varieties could be categorized into 11 types, namely round,obloid,oval shape,nearly round,long oval,broad lipsoid,obovoid,ovoid,curved shape,chicken heart shape and waist shape. In contrast, the berry shape of wild germplasms was mainly round, only a few were identified with broad lipsoid and chicken heart shaped in the species Vitis davidii. The germplasms of V. vinifera L. showed richer diversity on the berry shapes than the V. vinifera × V. labrusca hybrids. Wine grapes are mainly round and oval, with fewer types of the berry shape than table grapes. Statistical analysis of individual berry weight across different berry shapes revealed that the average individual berry weight of round (3.9 g) and chicken heart grape (3.4 g) was lower, and that of oval shape (6.3 g) and obovoid grape (7.1 g) was higher. The individual berry weight was found positively correlated with the vertical diameter and the transverse diameter of the berry, and the regression equations differed across types of berry shape. The number of seeds in single berry ranged from 0 to 6. Among these, grape varieties are most commonly with 2 seeds, followed by 3 seeds. Varieties with 5 or 6 seeds were rare and were predominantly found in round grapes. Quantitative reverse-transcript PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was performed on those candidate genes of grape berry shape, the expression level of gene VvFUL1A and VvSUN showed significant differences between types of elongated shape (eg. oval and curved) and round shape (eg. broad lipsoid and nearly round), which might be important regulators of the grape berry shape. This study provides references for future grape breeding and fruit shape research.