Rootstock‐conferred traits affect the water use efficiency of fruit production in Shiraz

Abstract

Background and Aims: Rootstock type can lead to differences in scion canopy growth and fruit yield by conferring specific traits to the scion. Conferred traits may interact to alter the relationship between vine water use and fruit yield, providing a mechanism whereby rootstocks could be used to improve the water use efficiency of fruit production. This study aimed to determine whether rootstock conferred vigour and crop water use index (yield per unit water transpired) were linked. Methods and Results: Seven rootstock genotypes, grafted with Shiraz, in a trial established over 20 years previously, were assessed over four seasons for vigour, yield and leaf physiology, and over three seasons for whole vine transpiration using sapflow sensors. There were consistent differences in rootstock conferred traits, with yield being affected to a lesser extent than vigour or vine water use. Conclusions: The water use efficiency of fruit production was improved for Shiraz on low vigour conferring rootstocks, due to a combination of rootstock conferred effects on scion vigour, leaf gas exchange, whole vine transpiration and yield. Significance of the Study:The study has demonstrated that rootstock conferred traits can alter the crop water use index of the scion in a mature vineyard. Consequently, accurately matching irrigation application with vigour and leaf physiology traits of the chosen rootstock has the potential to be used as a tool to optimise vineyard water use efficiency, even in fully irrigated vineyards.

X-ray imaging of 30 year old wine grape wood reveals cumulative impacts of rootstocks on scion secondary growth and Ravaz index

“…In this respect it is different from its components of pruning weight, which is also strongly correlated with scion trunk radius but not with other ring features nor across years, and with yield, which is only modestly correlated with scion trunk radius. The usefulness of Ravaz index in predicting viticultural outcomes compared to vigor and yield has been questioned [ 8 , 11 , 57 ]. However,among the traits analyzed in this study, it is one of the most robustly correlated traits we studied with ring width features, even more so than its component traits of pruning weight and yield ( Figure 5 ).…”

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

“…Very tolerant to drought 101-14 Millardet et de Grasset [58][59][60], Schwarzmann [59], Riparia Gloire [58,60,61] Kober 5BB [59,60], SO4 [60], Richter 99 [60], 3309 Couderc [60], 420A [60], Fercal [11,60], 41B Millardet et de Grasset [60], St. George [60,62], Merbein 5489 [63,64], Merbein 5512 [63,64], Merbein 6262 [63,64], Dog ridge…”

“…Ramsey [58,59,61,62,64,65], , Lider 187-24 [59], Richter 110 [58,60], 44-53M [60] Data retrieved from previous research on grafted grapevines.…”

Evaluation of the Effect of Water Stress on Clonal Variations of Cv. Monastrell (Vitis vinifera L.) in South-Eastern Spain: Physiology, Nutrition, Yield, Berry, and Wine-Quality Responses

“…This was also supported by a higher berry δ 13 C (less negative) and transpiration use efficiency (A/E) (assimilation per unit water transpired) in low-vigor clones (Table 3). Consequently, it appears that the low-moderate vigor genotypes may improve transpiration use efficiency as well as the expected reduction in total transpiration due to the lower canopy size [71].…”