An Investigation of Factors Affecting the Rooting Ability of Hardwood Muscadine Cuttings

Abstract

Rooting hardwood cuttings from muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia Michx. syn. Muscadinia rotundifolia) vines has traditionally been considered an exceptionally difficult task. Many previous studies observed almost no root formation, leading to a general consensus that muscadines should either be propagated by softwood cuttings or vegetative layering. However, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Fruit Breeding Program has been using a hardwood rooting protocol for muscadines with moderate success for the past 10 years. The application of this protocol to meet the modest propagation needs of the breeding program has significantly shortened the time required to advance selections. The goal of this research was to more adequately describe the factors affecting the rooting ability of hardwood muscadine cuttings. This research investigated the effects of cultivar, bottom heat, cold storage, vineyard location, and cutting collection date on the outcome of muscadine hardwood cuttings. The study was conducted during the dormant seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21, and an overall rooting percentage of 16% was observed. There were multiple higher-order interactions affecting rooting efficacy. Cuttings taken in November generally rooted at higher rates, although interactions with vineyard location and cultivar played a significant role in those results. The Ocilla, GA, location performed exceptionally well in November with rooting percentages greater than 40%. The effects of supplying bottom heat and/or a cold storage treatment on rooting success declined as the dormant season progressed. Other variables such as increased cutting length and diameter were associated with increased rooting success. A second statistical analysis using only data from November showed that when cuttings were not given a cold storage treatment that rooting percentages were greater than 27%. Ultimately, this research shows that institutions with modest muscadine propagation needs can successfully propagate plants from hardwood cuttings.