Abstract
Grafting cold-hardy hybrid grapevines may influence their attributes under different pedoclimatic conditions and may also contribute to cold-hardiness, influence plant physiology, and affect yield and fruit composition. In a six-year study, we evaluated bud survival, plant development, nutrient deficiencies, yield, and fruit composition for three cold-hardy grape varieties: Frontenac, Frontenac blanc, and Marquette. The grape varieties were grafted on four rootstocks: 3309C, SO4, Riparia Gloire, and 101-14. The final combinations were own-rooted. The six-year research period indicated that cold-hardy hybrids were affected differently by each rootstock. Magnesium deficiency was lower for grafted Frontenac and Frontenac blanc compared with own-rooted vines, but bud survival and grapevine development were not affected by rootstock. Moreover, results related to yield components showed that there are significant differences between rootstocks and own-rooted vines. Frontenac was the least affected grape variety compared to Frontenac blanc and Marquette, where only cluster weight and berry weight were impacted. Overall, for the two Frontenac varietals, we also observed a greater maturity for fruits of vines grafted on 101-14 and 3309C compared with own-rooted vines. Grafting affected fruit composition for Marquette differently, where the lowest grape maturity was observed for fruits on vines grafted on SO4. This study demonstrates that rootstocks affect cold-hardy hybrids, highlighting their potential under eastern North American conditions.
Highlights
Data related to cold-hardiness, developmental stages, and nutrient deficiencies are presented as the average value for six years and, for data related to yield and fruit composition, as the average for five years, from the first harvest in 2015 until 2019
Our results obtained for Frontenac, Frontenac blanc, and Marquette did not show a significant effect of rootstock on bud survival
Grape rootstocks have been used in Europe since the end of the 19th century with Vitis vinifera to fight against phylloxera and nematode-infested soils or to adapt grapevines to specific soil conditions
Summary
Growing grapes in cold climates presents several challenges to overcome. Grape production is a relatively recent industry in eastern Canada, and growers must adapt their techniques to achieve high grape quality at the end of the season. Short growing seasons, and soil conditions that are often too fertile and poorly drained are just a few examples of factors that affect grapevine production and limit the choice of grape variety when establishing a vineyard [1,2]. Pedoclimatic conditions found in Quebec (eastern Canada) limit the choice of grape varieties that can be used; winegrowers are often restricted to grape varieties tolerant to extreme winter temperatures and spring frosts, and those capable of reaching optimum berry maturity at the end of the season [2]. While genetics determines the ultimate degree of cold-hardiness expression, the environment, as well as cultural practices and pest management, affect that expression
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