Agricultural University of Plovdiv
The Agricultural University of Plovdiv (AU — Plovdiv), founded in 1945, is one of the key centers of Bulgarian ampelographic science. The university's Department of Viticulture has historically developed in close connection with the winemaking enterprises of the Thracian Valley. Unlike the Pleven Institute, which focused on interspecific disease resistance, the Plovdiv school prioritized improving the technological qualities of local European grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera) through intraspecific hybridization.
Department History and Research Facilities
The establishment of the Plovdiv school of breeding is associated with the work of prominent Bulgarian scientists. Over the years, research programs were led by Mincho Kondarev (who served as the university's rector from 1962 to 1966), Professors Dimitar Babrikov, Dimitar Braikov, and Slavcho Pandeliev.
Practical work was conducted at the experimental field, which preserves a living collection of more than 400 grapevine varieties. This facility allowed researchers to study vine biology, develop training and pruning systems, and select promising hybrid forms.
Breeding Achievements of the Department
The Department of Viticulture at AU — Plovdiv has contributed significantly to the official variety register of Bulgaria, creating several well-known wine and table grape varieties:
- Evmolpia (Thracian Mavrud): The primary breeding success of the university. A red wine grape variety created by Professor Dimitar Babrikov and S. Kukunov by crossing Mavrud × Merlot (officially registered in 1991). The variety inherited a high concentration of coloring matter from Mavrud, and soft tannins along with earlier ripening from Merlot.
- Misket Plovdivski: A white grape variety bred for the production of dry wines with a pronounced muscat aroma.
- Trakia: An early-ripening table grape variety with large berries, which was actively introduced into production to supply the country's resort areas.
- Chernomorski Briz: A white wine grape variety obtained as a result of long-term hybridization experiments, intended for the production of fresh table wines.
Current Research Directions
At the current stage, the Department of Viticulture, where Professor Venelin Roychev continues his research activities, is developing three main scientific areas:
- Clonal Selection of Autochthonous Varieties: Identification and propagation of virus-free clones of ancient local varieties, such as Mavrud, Shiroka Melnishka Loza, and Gamza.
- Climate Adaptation: Studying vine behavior under changing climatic conditions in southern Bulgaria and optimizing plant protection schedules.
- Experimental Winemaking: Evaluating the winemaking potential of new hybrids at the university's own educational winery, built in 1969. Here, researchers test how the properties of wine made from new varieties change during small-scale fermentation under different temperature regimes.
Due to its solid academic foundation, the Agricultural University of Plovdiv maintains its status as an expert center for personnel training and scientific support for viticulture in the region.