UC Agriculture & Natural Resources California Agriculture Title Vineyard nutrient needs vary with rootstocks and soils Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9nk311b6 Journal California Agriculture, 62(4) ISSN 0008-0845 Authors Lambert, Jean-Jacques Anderson, Michael M Wolpert, J A Publication Date 2008-10-01 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California RESEARCH ARTICLE ▼ Vineyard nutrient needs vary with rootstocks and soils by Jean-Jacques Lambert, Michael M. Anderson and James A. Wolpert Sustainable vineyard fertilization can lead to cost savings while protecting the environment. However, appropri- ate fertilization conditions depend on the rootstocks, which differ in their uptake of macro- and micronutrients, as well as on the vineyard soils’ physical and chemical characteristics, which affect the soil nutrient reser- voir. We studied identical sets of 14 rootstocks on three different soils. Rootstocks had a signifi cant impact on petiole levels of nitrogen and po- tassium throughout the growing sea- son. Pruning weight and fruit yield In the Sacramento Delta, a vineyard grows An Amador County vineyard is planted in Egbert and Tinnin soil series on a fl at on rolling hills with Sierra soil series over also varied considerably by rootstock alluvial plain. granitic bedrock. and site. However, rootstock perfor- mance was not consistent among isms and nutrient balances. The devel- refl ecting the original environments of opment and application of site-specifi c sites, nor was the seasonal pattern the parent plants (Granett et al. 2001). fertilization plans can increase sustain- For example, high-vigor rootstocks are of change in nitrogen and potassium ability by reducing nutrient runoff used with low-vigor scions on less fer- consistent among sites. The observed into waterways. By developing a better tile soils, while low-vigor rootstocks are differences emphasize the impact of understanding of soil-vine interactions used with high-vigor scions on fertile as well as the specifi c nutrient needs soils (Pongracz 1983). Rootstocks also soil texture and nutrient availability of particular rootstocks and cultivars, differ signifi cantly in their resistance to on plant growth. Further studies we hope to establish site-specifi c fertil- drought (Carbonneau 1985). will help guide the development of ization plans to save money and limit The range of available rootstocks site-specifi c sustainable fertilization fertilizer input, ultimately promoting represents an important resource for sustainability. the viticulture industry with respect to regimens. California vineyards are planted in the long-term sustainability of grape- diverse geographic settings and cli- growing in California. However, much he fundamentals of nitrogen and mates, on soil types ranging from acid remains to be learned in order to fi ne- potassium nutrition in grapevines to alkaline, fi ne textured to coarse, deep tune the use of these genetic resources areT well known. Excess nitrogen leads to shallow, level to sloping, and fertile in the wide range of California growing to high vigor, increasing fruit yield and to less fertile. Several-dozen rootstocks conditions. Our current understanding affecting juice composition (i.e., pH and were developed in response to the in- of rootstock nutrient requirements is concentrations of organic acids and advertent importation into Europe of general yet incomplete, based in most esters), but may also create conditions the grapevine pest phylloxera, from its cases on empirical fi ndings. favorable to disease such as bunch stem native eastern North America (Pongracz Nutrient availability, uptake necrosis and Botrytis cinerea bunch rot 1983). The European grape Vitis vinifera (Keller et al. 2001). Potassium defi ciency is highly susceptible to phylloxera, Soil texture and structure have an adversely affects ripeness, but excess but many American native species important impact on nutrient avail- berry potassium is detrimental to wine are not. As a solution, the practice of ability to the plant. Soils rich in organic quality (Mpelasoka et al. 2003). grafting European scions (the grafted matter are generally high in available While adjusting nutrient input to fruit-bearing part of the plant) onto nutrients, including zinc and iron. Clay attain the desired wine quality, viti- phylloxera-resistant rootstocks was de- soils can fi x potassium in soil, thereby culturists must also heed the call for veloped (Pongracz 1983). This practice is decreasing the availability of this sustainable management practices that still in use today, and these rootstocks nutrient to the plant. Rapid leaching minimize impacts on soil microorgan- are suited to a variety of conditions can drain nutrients from sandy soils. 202 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • VOLUME 62, NUMBER 4 Within the root zone, the availability of have high requirements for magne- able, vineyard management plans. moisture and its movement in the soil sium, which can result in deficiencies In this study, we examined the nutri- can have significant effects on nutrient in this mineral (Loue and Boulay 1984). ent status and growth characteristics availability. Excess leaching may cause Vines grown on different rootstocks of 14 common rootstocks on three dis- nitrogen loss to the water table, and may also differ in their tolerance to lime tinct soil types. Two vineyards were waterlogging may cause denitrification (calcium carbonate) and susceptibility located in the Sacramento River Delta (the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen to iron deficiency. High lime content near the town of Hood; the scion was gas, which occurs where oxygen is in induces chlorosis (a condition in which Chardonnay on Egbert clay (sandy short supply). leaves produce insufficient chlorophyll loam variant) soils at one vineyard, and Rootstocks also have a pronounced due to iron deficiency) by slowing iron Cabernet Sauvignon on Tinnin loamy influence on the mineral nutrition of uptake and translocation (Bavaresco sand soils at the other (Anamosa 1998). A the scion, which should be considered et al. 1992). In calcium-rich soils, total third vineyard was in Amador County’s when developing fertilization pro- leaf chlorophyll and iron content were Shenandoah Valley, and the scion was grams (Koblet et al. 1996). Some root- higher in Chardonnay grafted onto Zinfandel on a Sierra sandy loam soil. stocks, such as Malègue 44-53 (44-53), lime-tolerant rootstocks such as Ruggeri At all three vineyards, we evaluated have a higher affinity for potassium 140 (140R) or Selection Oppenheim 4 an identical set of 14 rootstocks: Teleki than magnesium and therefore may (SO4) than on the less lime-tolerant 5C (5C), Kober 5BB (5BB), Couderc 3309 fail to take up sufficient magnesium rootstock Millardet et De Grasset 101-14 (3309C), Millardet et De Grasset 101-14 from the soil. This is compounded by (101-14) (Bavaresco et al. 1992). Under (101-14), Richter 110 (110R), Paulsen 1103 the fact that high levels of potassium high salinity conditions, Syrah grafted (1103P), Millardet et De Grasset 420A in the soil solution can limit the solu- on Ramsey and 1103P (both salt-tolerant (420A), Couderc 1616 (1616C), Rupestris St. bilization of magnesium, reducing the rootstocks) had higher wine potassium, George or Rupestris du Lot (St. George), availability of magnesium to the plant. pH and color than on its own roots Malègue 44-53 (44-53), Ramsey, Harmony, (Brancadoro et al. 1994). Other root- (Walker et al. 2000, 2002). Freedom and VR O39-16 (O39-16) (table 1). stocks, such as Paulsen 1103 (1103P), Twenty-five replicate vines were planted Assessing rootstocks and soils easily absorb magnesium (Scienza for each rootstock/scion pair. All three et al. 1986). In high-potassium soils, Ideally, vineyard management sites were drip-irrigated and managed selecting a “magnesium-absorbing” strategies should consider the site- according to routine pest and nutrient rootstock may be the easiest way to specific properties of individual soils, management practices. Weeds were con- correct for a deficiency of this nu- the individual requirements of the trolled by a combination of contact and trient (Brancadoro et al. 1994). Our rootstock and the scion, as well as the pre-emergent herbicides, and resident understanding of rootstock-scion in- relationship between the two. By con- vegetation was present between rows. teractions is further complicated by sidering these factors individually and Vineyards planted with multiple root- the fact that grape cultivars respond collectively, we will be able to better un- stocks were managed uniformly. differently to nutrients. For example, derstand the soil-vine relationship and Petiole nitrogen and potassium. The Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon begin to develop site-specific, sustain- sites were not deficient in nitrogen, and TABLE 1. Rootstock characteristics Rootstock Parentage Vigor* Drought resistance Lime tolerance† Salt resistance Wet feet‡ Soil preference§ % St. George V. rupestris H Var 14 M/H L/M Deep, uniform, loam 1616C V. solonis × V. riparia L L L/M M/H H Deep/fertile 3309C V. riparia × V. rupestris L/M L/M 11 L/M L/M Deep, well-drained 44-53 V. riparia × 144M M M/H 10 na H Loam/good fertility, high Mg 101-14 V. riparia × V. rupestris L/M L/M 9 L/M M/H Heavy, moist clay 420A V. berlandieri × V. riparia L L/M 20 L L/M Fine texture, deep/fertile 5BB V. berlandieri × V. riparia M L/M 20 L/M Var Moist clay 5C V. berlandieri × V. riparia L/M L 20 M Var Moist clay 1103P V. berlandieri × V. rupestris H H 17 M H Adapted to drought, saline soils 110R V. berlandieri × V. rupestris M/H H 17 M Var Hillside soils, acid soils, moderate fertility Freedom 1613 C × V. champinii H M/H M L/M L Sandy to sandy loams Harmony 1613 C × V. champinii M/H Var M L/M L Sandy loams, loamy sands Ramsey V. champinii VH H M H L/M Light sand, infertile soils O39-16 V. vinifera × V.