conference schedule and program with abstracts - Horticulture ...

P-114
Evaluation of four new rootstock genotypes obtained by backcross
P. Carnevali, L. Brancadoro, O. Failla*
Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Corresponding author: osvaldo.failla@unimi.it
In viticulture, the introduction of rootstocks was tied to the appearance of phylloxera in Europe
in the late 1800s; today their use is strongly related to grapes adaptation to different pedoclimatic
environments. If the extreme variability that characterizes agricultural habitats is taken
to account, some specific and complex needs come out, such as the adaptation of rootstockscultivar
pairs to soil features and the possible use of rootstocks for modulating the grapevine’s
agronomical responses to edaphic and meteorological conditions. Starting from these
assumptions, the introduction of new rootstocks can be a valuable contribution to the
optimization of vineyard vegetative and productive responses. With this aim, the present research
was started to compare four new rootstocks, obtained by Di. Pro. Ve. (University of Milan)
through a back cross breeding selection, to six commercial ones (41B, 420A, 110R, 140Ru,
1103P and SO4). Four experimental vineyards (respectively placed in the “Valpolicella”,
“Chianti Classico”, “Castel del Monte” and “Contea di Sclafani” A.O.C. areas) were planted
with these ten rootstocks grafted to ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and a local variety. In those vineyards,
50 plants of each parcel (combinations of roostock-cultivar) were placed in randomized blocks,
at about 5000 plants/ha and trained as a spur pruned cordon. From 2007 to 2009 and on a
representative number of plants for each parcel some observations were made during vintage and
winter pruning: agronomical parameters (Ravaz index, bud fertility, production weight/plant,
bunches average weight, wood weight) and productive qualitative ones (pH, titratable acidity,
soluble solids of musts, polyphenols and anthocyanins total contents of berry skins) were
collected. Where it was possible, grapes were made into wines using a standard microvinification
protocol, and wines were chemically analyzed and sensory evaluations were carried out. Our
results showed that the new genotypes cause improved qualitative performances; have different
capabilities to modulate cultivars’ vigor; induce high accumulations of soluble sugars in musts
and good quantities of production/plant; and finally, are highly resistant to water stress. In
conclusion, these new rootstocks could be introduced into commercial settings and could allow
to better modulation of viticultural production in different pedo-climatic environments.
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