Grapevine rootstock evaluation and breeding in Germany, France and California

Abstract

A travel grant was provided to the rootstock project manager with the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Board of SA, Nick Dry, to expand knowledge of rootstock breeding and evaluation in France, Germany and the United States.

Summary

It was found that the focus of rootstock research in the countries visited was determined by the most economically important threats to production, ranging from phylloxera to virulent strains of root knot nematodes. Local conditions, including soil types and climate,  also had an influence on evaluation, making it necessary to keep in mind the different conditions existing in Australia when examining data from overseas. An interesting observation in California was the trialing of rootstock selections beyond replicated blocks to whole row, commercial scale, evaluation.

All three countries have a single umbrella organisation to oversee vine improvement and it was felt that Australia could benefit from developing a nationally coordinated rootstock research program.

The outcome has been an improved understanding of rootstock work in other parts of the world where there is a significant wine industry.