Work

The influence of 140 Ruggeri rootstocks on leaf water relation traits of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah under hyper-arid conditions in northern Chile.

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Rootstock selection is essential for mitigating stress and adapting agricultural systems to climate change. This study assessed the effects of the 140 Ruggeri (140-Ru) rootstock on the physiological responses of ‘Syrah’ (Sy) and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ (CS) in the hyper-arid Elqui Valley, northern Chile. Eight-year-old irrigated CS and Sy vines, both self-grafted and grafted onto 140-Ru, were evaluated in a randomized block design. While 140-Ru did not significantly impact traits related to leaf water relations between stress onset and stomatal closure, it reduced the water potential required to induce a 50% loss of leaf hydraulic conductance in both cultivars, suggesting greater leaf survival under prolonged drought. Additionally, self-grafted Cabernet Sauvignon exhibited greater sensitivity to water deficit, a response that was attenuated when grafted onto 140-Ruggeri. These findings underscore the importance of rootstock selection for improving drought resilience and vineyard sustainability under deficit irrigation.

Source: Vitis

DOI: 10.5073/vitis.2025.64.05

Authors: Villalobos-Soublett, Emilio, Verdugo-Vásquez, Nicolás, Zurita-Silva, Andrés, Campos, Reinaldo, Garrido-Salinas, Marco

Institutions: University of Chile, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Production Development Corporation, University of La Serena

Language: English

Topic: Horticultural and Viticultural Research

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Agenția Națională pentru Cercetare și Dezvoltare, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo