Matching rootstock and scion combinations to environmental conditions in the Murray Valley

Although rootstocks have been used in the wine industry for many years, there is a lack of scientific information at a regional level about new and existing rootstocks in the Sunraysia region. This project was set up to increase the information available about the performance of Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grafted to commonly used, and new rootstocks. The rootstocks examined were Ramsey, 1103 Paulsen, 140 Ruggeri, 5BB Kober, 101-14 Millardet, 5C Teleki, Fercal and 116-60 Lider. Fercal is a new rootstock currently under a testing agreement and is not commercially available yet.
There are many advantages of using rootstocks in viticulture. These include protection from the effects of soil-borne pests such as phylloxera and nematodes. Many rootstocks are well adapted to particular soil types and some may be used to overcome vineyard problems such as drought and salinity. The use of rootstocks can also influence vine vigour, and may have important implications on canopy light interception, fungal pathogens and winegrape quality.