Every year we receive numerous enquiries
about the suitability of rootstock for a
particular vineyard.
Below is a rootstock guide courtesy of Phil
Nicholas of SARDI.
Also, Wine Australia now has a free
Grapevine Rootstock Selector Tool available
at www.grapevinerootstock.com so growers
can pick the best rootstocks that will suit their individual vineyard.
Please contact us if you require further information.
The above rootstocks generally have high resistance to phylloxera but K51-40 has not been tested.
Groups
A = V. riparia x V rupestris crosses, B= V. berlandieri x V. riperia crosses, C=V. berlandieri x V. rupestris crosses, D= V. champini x V. riparia crosses and E= V. champini.
Rootstock
Older SO4 plantings are now identified as 5C Teleki and older 5A Teleki plantings identified as 5BB Kober.
Scion vigour
Given as a guide only.Vigour of rootstock varies in different environments.
Vegetative cycle
Indicates comparative length of growing season, which affects time of scion wood maturity and may influence time of grape maturity.
Nematodes
Refers to root-knot nematode resistance. Nematode populations of the same species can vary in aggressiveness in different regions. Also populations can develop in a vineyard and gradually overcome resistance.
Lime
Group A only tolerates about 10% active lime. 140 Ruggen has higher tolerance than others in groups B and C.
Acid soil
Choice may change if lime is applied prior to planting. More local trial data is required to better define suitability.
Salinity
Indicated performance in saline soil. Interaction with drought is not considered here. Rootstocks susceptible to drought may have higher salt uptake in drought situations.
Magnesium uptake
Low magnesium uptake by some rootstocks, especially SO4, in some soils may cause bunch stem necrosis, particularly with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Drought
Group B is slightly more tolerant than Group A
Waterlogging
Refers to spring waterlogging of vines several years old. Some rootstocks, eg 101-14 may be susceptible to waterlogging in early years, but more tolerant in later years.
Compatibility
Incompatibility is rare, but rootstocks 3309, 101-14 and 5BB Kober are more susceptible than others to compatibility problems, particularly where scion wood contains virus. Ramsey is incompatible with Muscat Gordo.