Rootstocks for grafted vines

Rootstocks for Grafted Vines

The main rootstocks used for grafting in Germany and Luxembourg are SO4 and Binova, 5C, 5BB and 125AA. These are crosses between two native American vines (Vitis berlandieri x Vitis riparia) and thus have the highest resistance to phylloxera. Published information on these rootstocks is generally incomplete and occasionally contradictory, so I have compiled data from various sources (German Federal Office for Varieties; Taschenbuch der Rebsorten; Geisenheim publications, French publications etc.):-

These rootstocks are suitable for soils with pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Outside this range it would be beneficial (though not essential) to adjust the pH. In our experience SO4 performs adequately in acid red sandstone at pH 5.2 and also in almost solid chalk at pH 8.3 (about 20% 'active' limestone).

Choosing a rootstock, for the variety you wish to grow, depends on your soil, on the training system / plant spacing, the strength of growth of the variety and its sensitivity in flowering, on how well it ripens its wood and its resistance to winter-frost, on the susceptibility to fungal diseases and the time of ripening. Some of the points for consideration are :-
Sensitive (weak) flowering varieties (Siegerrebe, Gewürztraminer etc) should not be on 5BB or 125AA.
Huxelrebe, Würzer, Dornfelder are best on SO4 or 5C.
Naturally strong-growing varieties (Huxelrebe, Regner, Auxerrois, Scheurebe, Dornfelder) should preferably be on a less vigorous rootstock (SO4, 5C).
Weak-growing but strong flowering varieties (Seyval, Senator) may benefit from a more vigorous rootstock, in order to produce sufficient leaf-wall for optimum flowering and ripening.
Müller-Thurgau, Huxelrebe, Reichensteiner, which have only moderate wood-ripening and poor winter-frost resistance, should not be on 5BB, particularly in more northerly districts.
Faberrebe, Regner and Würzer should also not be on 5BB.

The main rootstocks now used in France are SO4, 3309, Fercal and 161-49. Information on these can be accessed by clicking on the hyperlinks.

As the major importer of grafted vines, from the best nurseries in Germany, France and Luxembourg, we shall be pleased to supply and deliver the particular vine variety (clone) / rootstock combinations suited to your requirements; taking account of the microclimate of your site and the style of wine you wish to produce.

Finally here is a table of rootstocks from our French nursery:-


ROOTSTOCK	Resistance to chalk/limestone		Strength of growth	Adaptation to badly drained soils	Resistance to severe drought	Effect on the vegetative cycle	Type of growth	COMMENTS
ROOTSTOCK	Active	Total	Strength of growth	Adaptation to badly drained soils	Resistance to severe drought	Effect on the vegetative cycle	Type of growth	COMMENTS
Riparia	3	0 to 5	Weak	Tolerant	Weak	Advancing	Tracing	Rootstock with low strength, not for chalk/limestone, vines with strong density of plantation; mainly used for the production of top-of-the-range.
3309	11	0 to 10	Average to vigorous	Tolerant enough	Weak	Advancing	Semi-tracing	Rootstock for the soil with little limestone, with a regular fruitfulness and advances maturation. To avoid with Pinots in heavy ground.
Gravesac	14	0 to 20	Average	Tolerant	Average	Advancing	Semi-plunging	Good behavior in sandy and acid ground. Seems to support quality. It's use is very recent so it is not possible yet to know all the behavior.
SO4	18	0 to 30	Vigorous	Tolerant	Average	Normal	Semi-plunging	It supports fruitfulness and is sometimes a little too productive, but with control has a good quality potential. It adapts to the majority of soils.
5BB	20	0 to 40	Very vigorous	Tolerant	Average to good	Delaying	Semi-plunging	Good behavior in poor ground and with types of vines with weak production of wood. Lengthens the vegetative cycle.
34EM	20	0 to 35	Vigorous	Tolerant	Good	Advances a little	Semi-plunging	Excellent resistance to drought, offers a good balance of fruit/vegetation, supports quality but can be too vigorous in rich and heavy ground.
420A	20	0 to 40	Weak to average	Sensitive	Average to weak	Advancing	Semi-plunging	Intermediate rootstock between SO4 and 161-49; it is used more and more for the production of high-class wines, in particular in Burgundy.
161-49	25	0 to 50	Average to weak	Sensitive	Average to weak	Advancing	Semi-plunging	Early and good behaviour in light and deep ground. It decreases the risks of penduncular rot but is to be avoided with Pinots.
333EM	40	0 to 70	Vigorous	Tolerant	Average	Normal	Plunging	Suitable for limestone while being less sensitive to magnesium deficiency than Fercal is.
FERCAL	50	0 to 120	Average	Tolerant	Weak	Normal	Tracing	The most resistant to active limestone. Precocity and fruitfulness average but sensitive to drought. High sensitivity to magnesium deficiency.