Grapevine in the Ancient Upper Euphrates: Horticultural Implications of a Bayesian Morphometric Study of Archaeological Seeds
, Gonzalo Matilla-Seiquer 1, Concepción Obón 2, Francisco Alcaraz 3 and Diego Rivera 3,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear Authors,
The presented topic is interesting and useful for the ampelography.
There are a few points that should be addressed by the authors:
- First of all, the authors should pay attention to the display of references all over the paper (see the template).
- All Latin words must be written using italic font
- From Subchapters 2.1 and 2.2. it is not very clear when were the seeds samples collected
- The discussions highlight the results and demonstrate the possibility of the development of a new domestication index for the seeds of Vitis vinifera - V. Sylvestrish, which combined with the multivariate analysis of the morphometry of the seed, the hierarchical classification of the samples and other statistical tests are a very sensitive tool that allows to successfully analyze alternative hypotheses about the identity of the archaeological of different seeds of Vitis.
Thank you!
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
The presented topic is interesting and useful for the ampelography.
Thanks, we appreciate you comment.
There are a few points that should be addressed by the authors:
- First of all, the authors should pay attention to the display of references all over the paper (see the template).
- We checked reference citations, in order to prevent confussion dates were deleted or moved, but the names of relevant authors were kept followed by the standard citation as in the template. Changes ar marked in red in the revised manuscript.
- All Latin words must be written using italic font
- Revised and corrected, Thanks. Changes are marked in red in the revised manuscript
- From Subchapters 2.1 and 2.2. it is not very clear when were the seeds samples collected
- Rewritten to more clarly explain the origin. We summarized the origin of the comparison samples and also the numbre of samples and seeds from the archaeological sites in study.
- The discussions highlight the results and demonstrate the possibility of the development of a new domestication index for the seeds of Vitis vinifera - V. Sylvestrish, which combined with the multivariate analysis of the morphometry of the seed, the hierarchical classification of the samples and other statistical tests are a very sensitive tool that allows to successfully analyze alternative hypotheses about the identity of the archaeological of different seeds of Vitis.
- Many thans we highly appreciate your view and comment.
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript “Grapevine in the ancient Upper Euphrates horticultural implications of a Bayesian morphometric study of archaeological seeds” determine diversity on Vitis by using morphometric studies, domestication indices, multivariate analysis and Bayesian hypothesis testing.
The manuscript is prepared professionally. It includes a well-crafted abstract and an exhaustive introduction that justifies the research undertaken. The introduction points to the deficiencies in the literature on the subject. The aim is clearly defined. Modern analytical methods were used in the research. The discussion of the results is well prepared. The conclusions are well-defined. The illustrative material is appropriate.
In my opinion, the manuscript after corrections, will be suitable for publication in a journal.
Detailed comments:
Abstract: Could be include some numeric data obtained from the study
Introduction:
Line 40. Egypt, Syria, and the Levant [2]. I can suggest to add 2 more references
Daler S, Cangi R (2022). Characterization of grapevine (V. Vinifera L.) varieties grown in Yozgat province (Turkey) by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 46 (1): 38-48.
Taskesenlioglu, M.Y.; Ercisli, S.; Kupe, M.; Ercisli, N. History of Grape in Anatolia and Historical Sustainable Grape Production in Erzincan Agroecological Conditions in Turkey. Sustainability 2022, 14, 1496.
Line 95-97: The Near East includes the regions of the Eastern Mediterranean, the territories along the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and the nearby regions of Central Asia, with the boundary to the north in the South Caucasus and to the south in the deserts of Arabia and the Sahara....needs references
No comment
Author Response
The manuscript is prepared professionally. It includes a well-crafted abstract and an exhaustive introduction that justifies the research undertaken. The introduction points to the deficiencies in the literature on the subject. The aim is clearly defined. Modern analytical methods were used in the research. The discussion of the results is well prepared. The conclusions are well-defined. The illustrative material is appropriate.
In my opinion, the manuscript after corrections, will be suitable for publication in a journal.
Many thanks for sharing with us your views and comments!
Detailed comments:
Abstract: Could be include some numeric data obtained from the study
Corrected, we added were appropriate, number of archaeological samples and domestication index values
Introduction:
Line 40. Egypt, Syria, and the Levant [2]. I can suggest to add 2 more references
Daler S, Cangi R (2022). Characterization of grapevine (V. Vinifera L.) varieties grown in Yozgat province (Turkey) by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 46 (1): 38-48.
Taskesenlioglu, M.Y.; Ercisli, S.; Kupe, M.; Ercisli, N. History of Grape in Anatolia and Historical Sustainable Grape Production in Erzincan Agroecological Conditions in Turkey. Sustainability 2022, 14, 1496.
Done, many thanks for the interesting relevant information! We added both articles and deleted two which are less relevant. Thus numbering remained almost unchanged.
Line 95-97: The Near East includes the regions of the Eastern Mediterranean, the territories along the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and the nearby regions of Central Asia, with the boundary to the north in the South Caucasus and to the south in the deserts of Arabia and the Sahara....needs references
Done, references added. Many thanks!
Reviewer 3 Report
There are minor changes in graphics and layout. I think, however, that the authors could clarify a little more in the conclusions the reaction of this study for the future of the vine, namely in the adaptation to climatic changes, resistance to pests and new varieties with new characteristics. In other words, what the study of history can offer the farmer to help improve his vineyard.
Author Response
There are minor changes in graphics and layout.
We revised possible issues
I think, however, that the authors could clarify a little more in the conclusions the reaction of this study for the future of the vine, namely in the adaptation to climatic changes, resistance to pests and new varieties with new characteristics. In other words, what the study of history can offer the farmer to help improve his vineyard.
Thanks, We added the following paragraph which aims at giving a summary of the contribution of such a type of study to the improvement of grapevine horticulture
If we consider the relevance of this study for the future of the grapevine, specifically in the adaptation to climatic changes, resistance to pests and new varieties with new characteristics. We can affirm that what is most relevant in our opinion is the detection of the early existence of “stenosperms” and therefore of seedless grapes of the "sultanina" type about four thousand years ago, which indicates the capacity of adaptation of this type of grapes as well as those of the Proles Orientalis Negrul to climatic and salinity changes along millennia. The possible extinction of Proles Euphratica would suggest that not all local vines were able to overcome climatic crises, changes in use or the appearance of eventual pests and would point to the value of ancient local varieties for their resilience. Finally, the study of history can help the farmer to improve his vineyard, through the idea of not despising local cultivars and local wild populations that have survived environmental adversities for centuries and whose communities are also are repositories of feral grapevines. And appreciate them as sources of genetic resources for the improvement of their vineyards, with preference to the introduction of exotic varieties whose possibilities of adaptation to local conditions and climate change are uncertain
