Yipeng Chen, Pangzhen Zhang,* Yanan Fei, Alexis Pang, Mark Krstic, Peter Clingeleffer, Deli Chen, and Kate Howell
*The University of Melbourne, 310/Building 194, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia (The University of Melbourne)

Rootstock grafting is a common vineyard implementation contributing to improved phenology, nutrient uptake, abiotic stress tolerance, and pathogen resistance of grapevines. Nevertheless, few previous studies have focused on how different rootstock genotypes can result in the variation in grapevine performance. In this study, we investigated the impacts of 14 different rootstocks on phenological, physiologi- cal, and nutritional performance of scion using Vitis vinifera L. cv Pinot noir MV6 as a model plant. Two commercial vineyards located in the Mornington Peninsula wine region of Victoria, Australia, were selected to reflect two types of meso-climate at the peninsula. At both vineyards, scions of V. vinifera L. cv Pinot noir were grafted onto 14 rootstocks, including 101-14, 1103 Paulsen, SO4, 110 Richter, Schwarzmann, 5C Teleki, 3309C, Merbein 5489, Merbein 6262, Merbein 5512, C20, C29, C113, and C114, with own roots acting as control group. Large canopy size, high pruning mass, and no obvious delay of flowering and veraison were observed in grapevines grafted to SO4 and 5C Teleki compared to the other rootstocks. There were obvious differences in nutrient absorption abilities of different rootstocks and environmental factors such as soil conditions influenced nutrients absorbed by grapevines. Overall, there were clear differences in grapevine performance: in the timing of flowering, progress of veraison, canopy size, pruning mass, and petiole nutrients, which preliminarily reflect the characteristics of the studied rootstocks. The present study helps clarify the impacts of rootstock on grapevine performance, which supports rootstock selection and benefits the wider wine industry.

Funding Support: Wine Australia, The University of Melbourne, The Australian Wine Research Institute Mornington, Peninsula Vignerons Association, Peninsula Vinecare, Yalumba Nursery, CSIRO Wine Victoria