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.
Highlights
In response to the outbreak of Grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) in European Vitis vinifera vineyards during the 19th century, grafting vines to North American Vitis species and their hybrids as rootstocks became commonplace worldwide
Our objectives were to measure root nitrate uptake properties when nitrate was resupplied to plants after N-starvation in two rootstocks [Riparia Gloire (RG) and 1103 Paulsen (1103P)] known to differ in vigor conferred to the scion
This study identified that nitrate translocation to shoots rather than nitrate uptake capacity of rootstocks could modulate N-driven vigor of the scion under N-limited conditions
Summary
In response to the outbreak of Grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) in European Vitis vinifera vineyards during the 19th century, grafting vines to North American Vitis species and their hybrids as rootstocks became commonplace worldwide. Genetic variability among rootstocks can result in differences in water and nutrient uptake and transport, and the regulation of hormones and other long-distance signal molecules that impact scion growth and development (Albacete et al, 2015; Zhang et al, 2016; Gautier et al, 2019; Ibacache et al, 2020). N accumulation in shoots is positively correlated to scion growth, and is influenced by the rootstock genotype (Nikolaou et al, 2000; Zerihun and Treeby, 2002; Ibacache et al, 2020). The impact of rootstocks on scion growth is stronger under N limitation (Lecourt et al, 2015), indicating that N uptake and transport to the shoot may explain differences observed among rootstock genotypes
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