Nitrate Uptake and Transport Properties of Two Grapevine Rootstocks With Varying Vigor

Abstract

In viticulture, rootstocks are essential to cope with edaphic constraints. They can also be used to modulate scion growth and development to help improve berry yield and quality. The rootstock contribution to scion growth is not fully understood. Since nitrogen (N) is a significant driver of grapevine growth, rootstock properties associated with N uptake and transport may play a key role in the growth potential of grafted grapevines. We evaluated N uptake and transport in a potted system using two grapevines rootstocks [Riparia Gloire (RG) and 1103 Paulsen (1103P)] grafted to Pinot noir (Pommard clone) scion. Combining results of nitrate induction and steady-state experiments at two N availability levels, we observed different responses in the uptake and utilization of N between the two rootstocks. The low vigor rootstock (RG) exhibited greater nitrate uptake capacity and nitrate assimilation in roots after nitrate resupply than the more vigorous 1103P rootstock. This behavior may be attributed to a greater root carbohydrate status observed in RG for both experiments. However, 1103P demonstrated a higher N translocation rate to shoots regardless of N availability. These distinct rootstock behaviors resulted in significant differences in biomass allocation between roots and shoots under N-limited conditions, although the overall vine biomass was not different. Under sufficient N supply, differences between rootstocks decreased but 1103P stored more N in roots, which may benefit growth in subsequent growing seasons. Overall, greater transpiration of vines grafted to 1103P rootstock causing higher N translocation to shoots could partially explain its known growth-promoting effect to scions under low and high N availability, whereas the low vigor typically conferred to scions by RG may result from the combination of lower N translocation to shoots and a greater allocation of biomass toward roots when N is low.

Nitrogen control of transpiration in grapevine

“…Our work morphologically confirms biomass maintenance in Fercal subjected to a high soil pH compared to 1103 Paulsen accompanied by higher leaf chlorophyll. Interestingly, these traits were associated with a high pH‐induced increase in g s for Fercal as well as plant water‐use that can be interpreted as a specific strategy of the rootstock to enhance nutrient mass‐flow thus boosting mineral acquisition capacity (e.g., Rossdeutsch et al, 2021; Zamboni et al, 2016). The increase in root mass under pH 9 in Fercal, when compared to 1103 Paulsen, also suggests preferable mechanisms that may be linked to an enhanced mineral uptake capacity and root exploration under moderate‐to‐high limiting conditions.…”

Rootstocks for Grapevines Now and into the Future: Selection of Rootstocks Based on Drought Tolerance, Soil Nutrient Availability, and Soil pH

“…Tese efects can be particularly pronounced in Pinot Noir grafted onto Riparia Gloire. In this case, the expression of two genes that regulate the high-afnity nitrate transporter, named VitviNRT2.4A and VitviNRT3, in root tips signifcantly increased in response to 0.5 mM Ca (NO 3 ) 2 after 10 days of nitrogen starvation, in comparison to the same scion grafted onto Paulsen 1103 [102]. Similarly, an increase in the expression of VitviNRT2.4A, VitviNRT3, and another gene named VitviNAXT, which encodes nitrate excretion transporter1, was also observed in the roots of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grafted onto Kober 5BB [157] and Corvina grafted onto SO4 [162] during their recovery from nitrogen defciency.…”

“…Grapevines can utilise nitrate and ammonium as nitrogen sources and convert these inorganic nitrogen forms into glutamine [161]. Plants actively uptake nitrate through a proton/nitrate-coupled mechanism primarily mediated by low-afnity transport systems and high-afnity transport systems [102]. Both of these systems can be induced in grapevines within 24 hours in response to increased nitrate availability [162].…”

Dwarfism in Fruit Plants: A Review

“…Dwarfing rootstocks are less effective than vigorous ones in uptake of water and nutrients and their supply to shoots. The low vigour that Riparia Gloire rootstock usually confers on scions may be due to a combination of decreased nitrogen translocation to shoots and a larger allocation of biomass toward roots (Rossdeutsch et al, 2021). It was determined that dwarfing rootstocks may be less effective in soil nutrient absorption.…”