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 |
|
|
Active |
Total |
|||||||
|
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. |