Resource Book on Horticulture Nursery Management

Dogridge Rootstock for Grape
The systematic evaluation of rootstocks revealed rootstocks of V. berlandierii × V.
rupestris group like 99 R, 110 R and 1103 P etc. as most drought and salt tolerant.
Amongst these, rootstock 110 R is gaining popularity because of its increased
fruitfulness, moderate vigor, restricted uptake of chlorides and increased water use
efficiency under moisture stress conditions. Maximum accumulation of phenolic
compounds was observed in Thompson Seedless grafted on these rootstocks, which may
offer fair degree of resistance to major grape diseases like downy mildew and powdery
mildew. The propagation techniques like concentration of IBA, planting media, season of
planting etc has been standardized for multiplying rootstocks by hard wood cuttings.
Similarly time and stage of in situ grafting, chip budding and green grafting have been
standardized to raise rootstock vineyards. Advanced grafting techniques like benchgrafting
using grafting machines needs to be standardized in this crop. Work on
molecular characterization of rootstocks to identify drought and salt tolerant gene has to
be initiated to develop suitable rootstock for Indian condition, which can well adapt to
semi arid tropics of India where grape is grown under larger area.
Hardwood Cuttings: For obtaining hardwood cuttings, 3-4 year old disease free
vigorously growing mature vines, which have produced a good crop in the previous year,
should be selected after October pruning. Cuttings from very young and very old vines or
those subjected to heavy fruiting during the previous year should be avoided. Mediumsize
canes having inter-nodal length of 10-15 cm are desirable. 30-45 cm long cuttings of
pencil size thickness with at least 3-4 nodes are cut from the middle portion of the
selected canes. A cut should be made straight across 1cm below the node at the lower end
of the cuttings, while slanted cut at the top is taken 2-3 cm above the bud. The cuttings
are then immediately planted in bed or in polythene bags in the nursery. In case of delay
in planting, the cuttings are stored by burying in moist sand or sawdust at 5 to 7 0 C
temperatures.
<strong>Resource</strong> <strong>Book</strong> on Horticulture Nursery Management : 144