Tolerance of Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) to alkaline soil

Abstract

Muscadine (Muscadinia rotundifolia) grapes have been used in grape variety and rootstock development due to their inherent pest and disease resistance, but little is known about their alkaline soil tolerance. In this study, Muscadine varieties, commercialrootstock and interspecific hybrid grape (Vitis spp.) cultivars were evaluated for alkaline soil tolerance under field conditions to determine the potential suitability of muscadines for rootstock development. Thirty-one muscadine and eleven interspecific hybridgrape cultivars were grown in a moderately alkaline soil (pH = 8.1) over a three-year period. Alkaline soil tolerance wasdetermined by relative vine vigour (shoot length), vine nutrient status (whole leaf tissue testing) and visual chlorosis. Additional data were collected on the timing of budbreak. Overall, the muscadines studied expressed low vigour and had greater chlorosissymptoms than the interspecific hybrid rootstocks (Paulsen 1103, Millardet et de Grasset 101-14, Millardet et de Grasset 420A,Ruggeri 140, Schwarzmann, and Matador). These parameters were not correlated with the concentration in any specific nutrient, although nutrient deficiencies (nitrogen, copper) and excesses (calcium, boron) were observed in the muscadine varieties.Overall, the muscadine grapes expressed poor alkaline soil tolerance compared to interspecific hybrid grape rootstocks (1103P, 101-14 MGt., 140Ru, Schwarzmann, 420A, and Matador), even the ones having poor alkaline soil tolerance (101-14 MGt., Schwarzmann) and own-rooted cultivars (Black Spanish, Blanc Du Bois, Dunstan’s Dream and Victoria Red). Nevertheless, some variability in chlorosis symptoms and nutrition was observed across the muscadine group, suggesting some interests to select Muscadine hybrid rootstocks less sensitive to iron chlorosis.