The use of grape rootstocks in B.C. has come about as a result of literature claims for influences that assist earlier fruit maturity, adaptability of some rootstocks to particular soil types, increased vine hardiness due to vigour control and the introduction of grape phylloxera.
Selection of a rootstock for grape producers in B.C. is not a simple matter. Grapes are not native to our province, and we do not have a long history of traditional wine grape production. Our grape rootstalk research is limited but ongoing.
The first planting in the Interior employed the use of 5BB, S04, 5C and C-3309. There have not been any scientific studies in the valley showing comparisons of these rootstocks. However, there seem to be few, if any, reasons for complaints. Experience in the valley so far suggests that Riparia gloire, 3309, 101-14 and S04 are suitable for the Interior.
Each rootstock should be used with a full understanding of the soil it will be planted on and the irrigation management that will be used. Selection for the coastal areas requires some consideration of soil acidity and whether or not irrigation is used as well as rootstock influence on fruit maturity.
Grape rootstocks were first developed in Europe to protect vineyards from grape phylloxera. Compatibility between rootstock and scion, plus ease of rooting, were also considerations. The North American species Vitis rupestris met these conditions. Plant breeders also needed a species that would adapt to the limestone soils found in many European vineyards. The North American species Vitis berlandieri was found to be the most useful even though it is difficult to root.
Today, there are many rootstocks with various combinations of species. The range of rootstocks available presents possibilities to address many vineyard problems.
Climate and soils in B.C. vary widely, even within small parcels of land. There is no such thing as a single rootstock to serve all situations. Selection of more than one rootstock for a vineyard is therefore reasonable. Vigour control, for example, may best be achieved by selecting rootstocks that increase vigour on very sandy or gravelly areas, while rootstocks which reduce vigour are selected for areas with rich soils.
Understanding the parents for most rootstocks of concern to B.C. grape growers is a basic requirement to understanding the characteristics of grape rootstocks. Fortunately, such understanding requires knowledge of only three species.
Because of their long vegetative cycle, crosses of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri are best suited to warm climates with long growing seasons.
Riparia X berlandieri crosses are quite vigorous, although they are less so than berlandieri X riparia crosses. Crosses of Vitis riparia X Vitis rupestris include C-3309, C-3306, 101-14 Mgt., Gravesac and Schwarzmann.
Riparia Gloire de Montpellier is the only commercial pure riparia rootstock used today. It has low vigour and ripens its fruit and wood early.
There are no pure rootstock selections of V. berlandieri. It is very difficult to root from cuttings.
V. berlandieri X V. riparia crosses include 5BB, S04, 5C, C-191-49, 420 A and 34 EM. V. berlandieri X V. rupestris crosses include 99 R, 110 R, 1103 P, 140 RU and 1447 P.
Producers should use care in selecting rootstocks so that specific concerns for their vineyard are addressed. In 1927, A.I. Perold said, in a treatise on viticulture, that the highest fruit quality could be achieved only if the best cultivars scions were grafted to moderately vigorous rootstocks then cultivated in a manner to limit crop size.
Some of the characteristics to look for in a grape rootstock:
The listing in the table below of grape rootstocks and their characteristics is not intended to be all inclusive. However, it points out what is known about the adaptive features of many rootstocks. Only a few of the rootstocks listed are actually used in B.C.: Riparia gloire, SO4, 5BB, 5C, 101-14 Mgt. and 3309C.
| Rootstock | Scion vigour 1=low 5=high |
Resistance to phylloxera 1=susceptible 5=resistant |
Resistance to drought 1=susceptible 5=resistant |
Crown gall | Phytophthora | Acid soil | Water logging | Tolerance for free lime (%) |
Tolerance for salt (g/L) |
Vigour 1=low 4=high |
Effect on maturity +advance -delay |
Dry, shallow, wet soil | Adaptability to deep silt or dense clay 1=poor 4=good |
Adaptability to deep, dry loam 1=poor 4=good |
Sandy soil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riparia gloire | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0.7 | 2 | + | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||
| SO4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 0.6 | 3 | + | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 5BB | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 3 | + | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 5C | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 2 | + | 3 | 3 | 1 | |||||
| 101-14 Mgt. | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 2 | + | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| 420 A | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 2 | + | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |||
| 1130 P | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 0.6 | 3 | - | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 3309C | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 0.4 | 2 | + | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Canada has specific grapevine import regulations that help to protect grape growers from the introduction and spread of virus diseases and other pests that are not yet established in B.C.
Selected grapevine varieties/clones and rootstocks from Canadian-approved nurseries in France and Germany are currently allowed for importation into Canada. Note that the requirements for importation from France and Germany were changed in December 2005 due to the increased prevalence of flavescence dorée in France.
Grapes may also be imported from approved sources in the United States.
Contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for more information on importing grapevines.
