Overview
This review compares the status of Australian rootstock breeding, led by CSIRO since 1967, with programs in Germany (Geisenheim), France (INRA), the USA (UC Davis, USDA-Geneva, Washington State) and New Zealand. Australia has low rootstock adoption (around 20% of South Australian vineyards, versus 70% worldwide) but has released three CSIRO rootstocks since 2008. It recommends rapid screening to cut the 20-year breeding-to-release timeframe to 10–15 years, maintaining high-health-status germplasm and source blocks, and expanding regional field evaluation. Phylloxera outbreaks have been estimated to cost up to $49.2 million per South Australian region over 10 years, underscoring the value of rootstock R&D.
This review examined Australian and international literature on rootstocks, focusing on key issues including updates on tolerance to phylloxera and nematodes. Other related issues include the performance of major selection traits associated with salinity, low water supply, potassium uptake, vegetative growth, grape and wine quality and the propagation of grafted vines. National and international researchers were consulted and a cross-section of growers and nursery operators were surveyed on their perceptions about rootstocks.
Abstract
Grapevine rootstocks have been an essential component of grape growing for over 130 years as rootstocks can impart desirable characteristics for grapevine growth.
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