HISTORICAL REVIEW OF TABLE GRAPE ROOTSTOCKS AND CRITERIA FOR ITS CHOICE
Andrew Teubes VG Nurseries South Africa Contents
• Current international rootstock pool for table grapes • Genetics – parentage, geographical distribution and characteristics • Rootstock characteristics and application • Conclusions ROOTSTOCK DISTRIBUTION OF INTERNATIONAL FRUIT GENETICS VARIETIES BY COUNTRY (Source: Yiannis Kanakis)
COUNTRY MAIN ROOTSTOCKS OTHERS
USA Ramsey (90%) Freedom, Harmony, Paulsen1103
PERU Ramsey (95%) Paulsen1103
CHILE Paulsen1103 (40%) Freedom (30%), Harmony
BRAZIL Paulsen1103 (70%) Ramsey, Freedom, SO4, 101-14, 420A, 5C
SPAIN Paulsen1103 (80%) Ruggeri 140 (20%)
ITALY Ruggeri 140 (60%) Paulsen1103 (30%), Richter110
GREECE Paulsen 1103 (70%) Richter 110 (20%), Ruggeri 140 (10%)
AUSTRALIA Paulsen1103 (70%) Ramsey, Ruggeri 140, 101-14
SOUTH AFRICA Ramsey (85%) Paulsen1103, Richter110
EGYPT Ramsey (90%) Paulsen1103 ROOTSTOCK DISTRIBUTION OF SUNWORLD VARIETIES BY COUNTRY (Source: Garth Swinburn, Michele Melillo, Hovav Weksler, Pablo Ramirez, Daniel Desmartis)
COUNTRY MAIN ROOTSTOCKS OTHERS
USA Freedom (80%+) Ramsey, Harmony, Paulsen1103
PERU Ramsey (88%) Freedom (9%), Harmony (3%)
CHILE Paulsen1103 (45%) Harmony (26%), Freedom (15%), Ramsey (8%)
SPAIN P1103 Richter110
ITALY P1103 (53%) Ruggeri140 (45%)
PORTUGAL P1103 (100%)
AUSTRALIA P1103 Ramsey, 101-14, Ruggeri140
SOUTH AFRICA Ramsey (80%) P1103, Richter110, US8-7
ISRAEL P1103 (50%), R110 (50%) ROOTSTOCK DISTRIBUTION OF SHEEHAN GENETICS (SNFL) VARIETIES BY COUNTRY (Source: Josep Estiarte, Elena Aguaron, Marcos Felici, Juan Guillermo Nunez))
COUNTRY MAIN ROOTSTOCKS OTHERS
USA Freedom (85-90%) Harmony (7-8%), P1103, Ramsey
MEXICO Freedom (30%) Ramsey (30%), Own rooted (40%)
SOUTH AFRICA Ramsey (85%) P1103, Richter 110
EGYPT Ramsey (60%) Freedom (50%)
SPAIN - Murcia P1103 (95%) Ruggeri 140 (5%)
SPAIN - Alicante Ruggeri 140 (50%), P1103 (50%)
ITALY – Puglia, Ruggeri 140 (60%) P1103 (40%) Basilicate ITALY – Sicily Ruggeri 140 (50%), P1103 (50%)
PERU Ramsey (80%) Freedom (20%) ROOTSTOCK GRAFTED FOR TABLE GRAPES IN SOUTH AFRICA (Source: PlantSA)
ROOTSTOCK 2015 (%) 2016 (%) 2017 (%) 2018 (%) 2019 (%)
RAMSEY** 72 75 77 80 75
P1103** 20 18 17 16 22
R110 5 5 4 3 3
US8-7 3 3 2 1 <1
** Includes grapes for raisins ROOTSTOCK DISTRIBUTION OF TABLE GRAPES PRODUCTION FOR UNIVIVEROS, CHILE (Source: Cristobal Raineri)
ROOTSTOCK 2018 (%) 2019 (%) 2020 (%)
101-14 2 1 1
FREEDOM 18 17 22
HARMONY 24 20 15
P1103 47 37 42
RAMSEY 8 22 18 COMMERCIAL ROOTSTOCK RANGE
ROOTSTOCK PARENTAGE
P1103, R110, Ruggeri140 Vitis Berlandieri x Vitis rupestris
101-14 Vitis riparia x Vitis rupestris
SO4 Vitis Berlandieri x Vitis rupestris
Ramsey Vitis Champinii
1613 C (Complex Vitis riparia Vitis rupestris x Vitis candicans x Vitis Freedom, Harmony vinifera x Vitis labrusca) x Dog Ridge (Vitis Champinii) HISTORIC
• Phylloxera outbreak in Europe in late 1800’s prompted rootstock development • European viticulturists travelled to the USA in search of phylloxera resistant American Vitis-species for use as rootstocks • Key principles in rootstock selection (always keep in mind): • Characteristics of grape species reflect their natural environment • “Children” will reflect characteristics of “parents” • Characteristics of rootstocks will reflect their selection criteria Vitis riparia
• Moist, fertile, soft soils on river banks; also known as River Bank Grape; climbing growth habit • Grows almost anywhere as long as there is adequate moisture (its distribution north of drier/warmer states of southern USA) • Shallow rooting (no need for deep moisture search) • High cold hardiness – short vegetative cycle Characteristics of Vitis riparia as commercial rootstock • Recognized as potential breeding parent 1874 – viticulturists sent to Mississippi en Missouri River valleys for collection • Was used directly as rootstock because it was easy to propagate (Riparia Gloire still used today) • In grafted state: • Induced moderate vigour • High yields, early maturity and high sugar levels • Short vegetative cycle • Sensitive to calcareous soils with free lime (high pH) • Poor performance on dry, sandy soils (drought sensitive) Vitis rupestris
• Grows as shrub/bush, does not have a climbing growth habit like Vitis riparia • Prefers stony, well drained sites where roots can penetrate deep in search of moisture - deep rooting • Grows in rocky river beds/sand bars that dry up in summer • Long vegetative cycle – late leaf fall Characteristics of Vitis rupestris as commercial rootstock
• Very popular - could be used directly as rootstock because it was easy to propagate • In grafted state: • Induced moderate vigour • Late ripening of grapes, therefore warmer regions preferable • Long vegetative cycle • Poor performance on shallow, dry soils (drought sensitive) • Poor performance soils with free lime • Roots sensitive to fungi associated with wet sub soils Vitis Berlandieri
• Native to Texas and New Mexico on shallow, dry soils underlain by limestone • Numerous species with different growth habits depending on location • Small leaves, drought tolerant on hillsides – deep rooting (selected for breeding) • Large leaves, climbing growth habit on river banks • Known as “Fall Grape” because ripens fruit very late • Very long vegetative cycle, 4 weeks longer than Vitis riparia • Shows high natural vigour • Grows well on soils rich in lime • Vitis Berlandieri was never used directly as rootstock because it was very difficult to root, although grafting success with Vitis vinifera was good BUT • Breeders now had a Vitis-species that showed good resistance to free lime and drought tolerance that could be used as a breeding partner with Vitis rupestris and Vitis riparia COMMERCIAL ROOTSTOCKS DEVELOPED (Vitis ripiaria, Vitis rupestris, Vitis Berlandieri)
ROOTSTOCK BREEDER YEAR COUNTRY PARENTAGE Frederico Paulsen 1103 1895 SICILY Vitis Berlandieri x Vitis rupestris Paulsen Richter 110 Franz Richter 1889 FRANCE Vitis Berlandieri x Vitis rupestris Antonio Ruggeri 140 1897 SICILY Vitis Berlandieri x Vitis rupestris Ruggeri Franz Kober/ SO4 Zsigmond 1896 GERMANY Vitis Berlandieri x Vitis riparia Teleki Millardet, 101-14 1882 FRANCE Vitis rupestris x Vitis riparia de Grasset Rootstocks developed from Vitis Berlandieri, Vitis rupestris, Vitis riparia
V Berlandieri x V rupestris x PARENTAGE V Berlandieri x V rupestris V riparia V riparia
Paulsen 1103 Ruggeri 140 Richter 110 SO4 101-14 ROOTSTOCK (SICILY) (SICILY) (FRANCE) (GERMANY) (FRANCE) PHYLLOXERA 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 VIGOR 4 4.5 3.5 3 2.5 FREE LIME 4 5 4 4 2 DROUGHT 3.5 5 4 2 2 VEGETATIVE CYCLE Long Very long Long Medium short Short
1 = Very low, 2 = Low, 3 = Moderate, 4 = High, 5 = Very high But what about the other rootstocks?
ROOTSTOCK BREEDER YEAR COUNTRY PARENTAGE Thomas Ramsey 1900 TEXAS Vitis Champinii Munson Weinberger, 1613 C (Complex Vitis labrusca x Vitis riparia x Freedom Harmon 1967 CALIFORNIA Vitis vinifera, Vitis candicans) x Dog Ridge (Vitis Champinii) Weinberger, 1613 C (Complex Vitis labrusca x Vitis riparia x Harmony Harmon 1966 CALIFORNIA Vitis vinifera x Vitis candicans) x Dog Ridge (Vitis Champinii) Vitis Champinii
• Native throughout central Texas • Used directly as rootstock – Ramsey and Dog Ridge most well known • In grafted state: • Challenging to propagate compared to other commercial rootstocks • Induced high vigour • Deep rooting • Good resistance to lime and excellent to nematodes • Very long vegetative cycle Freedom and Harmony • Specifically bred for nematode resistance in San Joaquin Valley in California in late 1960’s • Parentage • 1613 Couderc (Complex Vitis vinifera x Vitis labrusca x Vitis riparia x Vitis candicans) • Dog Ridge (Vitis Champinii) • Parent characteristics • 1613 C – Moderate vigour, easy to propagate, excellent nematode resistance, poor free lime resistance, poor resistance to sub soil wetness, salinity, Phytophthora sp., medium/low phylloxera resistance • Dog Ridge – Very high vigour, very difficult to propagate, excellent nematode resistance, good tolerance to salinity, free lime, sub soil wetness, Phytophthora sp. Rootstocks developed/selected from
Ramsey Freedom Harmony ROOTSTOCK (Texas) (California) (California)
PHYLLOXERA 4 3 2
VIGOR 5 4 3
FREE LIME 4 3 2
DROUGHT 3.5 2.5 2.5
VEGETATIVE CYCLE Very long Long Medium Free lime sensitivity Active lime tolerance (Egypt) (Practical Ampelography, P Galet)
ROOTSTOCK % ACTIVE LIME Harmony P1103
Ruggeri 140 25
R110, P1103, SO4 17
101-14 9 WHAT ELSE FOR TABLE GRAPES??
• Which other “protective/resistance” characteristics are important? • Resistance to nematodes? • Resistance to sub soil wetness? • Resistance to soil fungi like Phytophthora species? • Resistance to salinity? (soil or irrigation water)
• Adaptability requirements? • Soil adaptability • Climate TERROIRE Physical soil conditions • Rootstock differences pronounced in low potential soils Sandy vs clayey vs rocky, low organic matter content • Deep vs shallow (hard pans) • Naturally compact • Layered (alluvial) • Drainage NURSERY VINE GROWTH HABIT (Source: Abou Aly Nurseries, Egypt)
Prime Starlight
Freedom Ramsey R110 P1103 Spatial distribution of roots in depth (Scion: Chenin blanc) Hutton soil type (red, dry sandy), Olifants River, South Africa (Source: The Grapevine root and its environment, 1988)
Mean canes mass = 4.2 tons/ha Mean canes mass = 2,95 tons/ha Total root number = 595 Total root number = 343
Ramsey 101-14 Mgt Spatial distribution of roots in depth (Scion: Chenin blanc) Oakleaf soil type (sandy silt), Olifants River, South Africa (Source: The Grapevine root and its environment, 1988)
101-14 Mgt Spatial distribution of roots in depth (Scion: Chenin blanc) Clovelly soil type (structureless, yellow/brown, 15% clay), Stellenbosch, South Africa (Source: The Grapevine root and its environment, 1988)
Ruggeri 140 Richter 110 101-14 Mgt Conclusions
• Soil environment determines the spatial distribution of roots in the profile • Even naturally shallow rooting varieties will penetrate deep if there is no physical or chemical obstructions • Once it reaches an obstruction, depth penetration will stop • Proper soil preparation therefore imperative for optimal utilization of soil volume, irrespective of which rootstock is used
• Rootstock variety determines number of roots/concentration of roots • Clear rootstock preference for certain soil textures • Roots will concentrate in layers suitable for it Chemical soil conditions • Any ameliorant that must be mixed into soil to the depth of soil preparation • Lime requirement for low pH soils • Phosphates, Gypsum
Low pH sub soil Properly limed sub soil INFLUENCE OF LIMING ON ROOT MASS (Conradie, 1983) 200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40 ROOT MASS (gram/vine) MASS ROOT
20
0 Ru 140 R110 Ramsey P1103 101-14 pH 4.1 pH 5.0 pH 6.0 • What impact does the rootstock have on the vigour, size and quality of the crop………the interaction with the variety grafted to it? • Vigour consists of 2 parts (according to Pierre Galet) 1. Rate of growth - In essence the aspect having impact on fruit set (shatter during bloom) - High vigour increases potential for shatter....even more pronounced during heat waves (variety sensitivity is well known) - High vigour during bloom and fruit set period may have negative impact on long term fruitfulness - Continuous growth after veraison may also affect colour development 2. Capacity – total amount of fruit and wood produced - Crop load effects (berry size) Influence of rootstock of longevity of vineyard • Maintain vigour over 15-20 years (10-12 years tropical??) • Table grape production is “forced labour” on a vine – grown on marginal soils, irrigated and fertilized heavily, high cropping levels, sometimes “harsh” climates • Tropical environments – double pruning, very little R&R (rest and recuperation) • Rootstock must have capacity to build reserves post-harvest • Up to 40% of nitrogen required for early season growth is absorbed post harvest How does rootstock relate to the climatic conditions/environment? • “Harsh” vs “soft” climate • “Harsh” = High maximum temperatures during high summer + low relative humidity + strong, dry winds, together with cold, dry winters (Continental) • “Soft” = Mild summer temperatures + higher relative humidity AVERAGE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES FOR TWO LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
40 35.5 34.4 34.7 35 32.1 32.7 29.6 30 27.5 27.5 27.8 26.1 26.8 26.4 24 24.7 25 23.5 22.9 23.3 21.3 21.8 20.5 20.8 20.3 19.6 19.3
20
c) ° ( 15
10
5
0 AVERAGE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE TEMPERATURE MAXIMUM AVERAGE Jan Feb Mrch April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Upington Copiapo RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR TWO LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
80
70 67 66 66 65 65 63 63 61 61 60 60 59 60
49 49 50 50 44 45 39 39 40 35 33 33 31 30 30
20
RELATIVE HUMIDITY(%) RELATIVE 10
0 Jan Feb Mrch April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec MONTHS
Upington Copiapo How can we determine if rootstock can handle “harsh” conditions? • Dr Peter Cousins said it perfectly: • “Rootstock users should be aware of the conditions under which a rootstock was selected and why it was chosen and should try to match their expectations with the known attributes of a particular rootstock” Paulsen1103, Ruggeri 140 • Selected in Sicily • Warm, dry Mediterranean island with calcareous soils, low rainfall • Tough environment, so rootstock needs to be tough • Good vigour, deep rooting for good drought tolerance, highly resistant to free lime
• Imagine taking 101-14 to such an environment? • Selected in Bordeaux, France – very mild climatic environment • Induced early ripening, short vegetative cycle suitable for cooler regions • Poor drought tolerance, not deep rooting in tough soils + poor lime resistance • Chances of success??? Vitis Berlandieri, Vitis Rupestris, Vitis riparia rootstocks
V Berlandieri x V rupestris x ROOTSTOCK V Berlandieri x V rupestris V riparia V riparia
Paulsen 1103 Ruggeri 140 Richter 110 SO4 101-14 (SICILY) (SICILY) (FRANCE) (GERMANY) (FRANCE) SALINITY 3.5 3.5 4 2 3.5 NEMATODES – Root knot 3 2 3 4 3.5 NEMATODES – Dagger 1 1 1 2.5 2 SUB SOIL WETNESS 4 2 3.5 4 4 PHYTOPHTHORA sp 1 1 3 4 4 CLIMATE Harsh Harsh Harsh Soft Soft Ramsey, Freedom, Harmony
ROOTSTOCK Ramsey Freedom Harmony (TEXAS) (CALIFORNIA) (CALIFORNIA) SALINITY 4.5 2.5 2
NEMATODES – Root knot 5 5 4.5
NEMATODES – Dagger 2 3 3
SUB SOIL WETNESS 5 2 2
PHYTOPHTHORA sp 4.5 ? ?
CLIMATE Harsh Harsh Soft Conclusions • Adequate range of rootstocks for table grape industries • Most are of higher vigour and well adapted to the world’s table grape environments • Most were developed in the late 19th century and is still utilized, showing their long term success • The fact that we can use a handful of rootstocks in all growing regions says a lot about the adaptability of Vitis-species in general • When choosing rootstocks one should not focus on absolutes • Pragmatic, open minded approach – lots to consider • Know the characteristics of each and apply it to your specific conditions • Travel, read, discuss, experience, BUT DO NOT EXTRAPOLATE Conclusions • Rootstock choice is a long term decision • Farmers world wide have a “seeing is believing” approach to most farming activities – risk management • It must be based on sound knowledge of the rootstock • BUT experience should “weigh heavier” – no substitute for experience • Successful farmers are very perceptive and make good decisions • Intricate knowledge of each piece of land on his farm • Knows what works and what not • Inter plantings – establish some vines on different rootstocks in a block • Resistance to change is common human attribute • In many ways it’s the “devil you know is better than the devil you don’t” type of approach • Change happens slowly, if necessary Conclusions • Current rootstock spectrum very much regional or area specific, for good reason • Ruggeri 140 – Italy • Ramsey – South Africa, Peru • Paulsen 1103 – Chile, Australia, Spain, Italy • Freedom – California, Chile • Introduction of large number of new scion varieties over the past 10 – 15 years should not complicate decisions, because they are easier to grow than older varieties – no need to re-think rootstock range • No compatibility issues between new scion cv’s and current rootstock range • VIGOUR + MAINTAINING VIGOUR OVER TIME, is the key for successful table grape production • Be watchful of the more “sensitive” rootstocks – Harmony, R110 • I would consider rather having slightly too much vigour than too little – vigour can be managed by fertilizer applications • Much easier to manage vigour downwards than upwards Acknowledgements
• Yiannis Kanakis, IFG • Garth Swinburn, SW • Teri Bacon, SW • Michele Melillo, SW • Hovav Weksler, Consultant • Daniel Desmartis, SW • Pablo Ramirez, SW • Ignacio Letamendi, SNFLUniviveros • Cristobal Raineri, Univiveros • Josep Estiarte, SNFL • Elena Aguaron, SNFL • Marcos Felici, SNFL • Juan Guillermo Nunez, SNFL I’ll plant any rootstock, as long as it’s RAMSEY
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