Root-zone management practices impact above and belowground growth in Cabernet Franc grapevines

Abstract

Background and Aims The objective of this study was to assess the effect of root pruning (RP) and annual under‐trellis cover crops (UTCC) on vegetative growth and physiological processes in Cabernet Franc (Vitis vinifera L.) grapevines grafted on 3309C rootstock. Methods and Results Five root‐zone management treatments, namely under‐trellis vegetation‐free strip control (C), RP and three distinct annual UTCC [annual ryegrass (AR), buckwheat, (BW) and turnip (TP)] were evaluated and compared over three seasons in a vigorous vineyard in the Northeastern USA. Root pruning had the greatest impact in reducing grapevine size; AR reduced the duration of shoot growth 2 out of 3 years. Competition between grapevine and AR and BW fine roots resulted in a lower grapevine fine root production in shallow soil layers and in a decrease in fine root lifespan. Conclusions Root pruning was effective in reducing grapevine size for 3 years; RP effectiveness, however, may vary greatly depending on site conditions. Annual UTCC hold potential for reducing grapevine size in vigorous plantings in regions with ample precipitation. Appropriate choice of cover crop species, however, remains unclear. Significance of the Study This work demonstrates that root‐zone management practices impact grapevine vegetative growth and induce changes in root morphological traits.

Annual Under-vine Cover Crops Did Not Impact Vine Growth or Fruit Composition of Mature Cool-climate ‘Riesling’ Grapevines

“…Competition for water was insufficient in this study to affect growth because midday stem water potential was consistently above growth-inhibiting values of -0.9 to -1.2 MPa (Girona et al, 2006;Schultz and Matthews, 1988). The water potentials in this study were similar to previously reported values for wine grape vines in the Finger Lakes region (Centinari et al, 2015;Intrigliolo et al, 2009). The predawn stem water potential values were never lower than -0.3 MPa, suggesting that the plants rehydrate at night and that water was never a growth-limiting resource.…”

“…Cover crops have been found to reduce vine rooting near the soil surface and encouraged deeper rooting patterns in wine grapes (Morlat and Jacquet, 2003). 'Cabernet franc' vines in the Finger Lakes region shed fine roots growing within the root zones of BW and ARG cover crops, favoring root growth in other, less competitive parts of the soil profile (Centinari et al, 2015). In this study, the nearly 20-year-old vines in this dryfarmed 'Riesling' vineyard were likely able to overcome any competition effects from the comparatively shallow root systems of the cover crops.…”

“…Very few studies have specifically examined the use of annual cover crops planted directly beneath vines. The only two reports from the northeastern United States where the hilling up practice occurs exclusively examined the red wine grape 'Cabernet franc' (Centinari et al, 2015;Karl, 2015), but with inconsistent results. Annual under-vine cover crops reduced vine growth and yields as observed in the study by Karl (2015), but were not found to have any effect in the study by Centinari et al (2015).…”

“…The only two reports from the northeastern United States where the hilling up practice occurs exclusively examined the red wine grape 'Cabernet franc' (Centinari et al, 2015;Karl, 2015), but with inconsistent results. Annual under-vine cover crops reduced vine growth and yields as observed in the study by Karl (2015), but were not found to have any effect in the study by Centinari et al (2015). There has been no research on how under-vine cover crops may affect white wine grape production systems, including 'Riesling' vineyards, which are very important for commercial wine production in the northeastern United States.…”

Effect of soil management strategies on the characteristics of the grapevine root system in irrigated vineyards under semi-arid conditions

“…Several studies have shown that permanent swards reduce the presence of vine roots in the upper 20–30 cm of soil, and permanent swards also reduce lateral expansion towards the centre of the inter‐row (Saayman and Van Huyssteen , Van Huyssteen , Morlat and Jacquet ). Competition for water and nutrients between grass and vine is the most important factor that explains the deep colonisation of the vine roots in vineyards managed with permanent sward (Saayman and Van Huyssteen , Morlat and Jacquet , Yao et al , Lopes et al , Ruiz‐Colmenero et al , Centinari et al ). Nevertheless, the behaviour of the grapevine root system depends on the intensity and duration of cover crop competition.…”