Influence of Eight Rootstocks on the Performance of ‘White Riesling’ and ‘Cabernet Franc’ Over Five Years

Abstract

‘White Riesling’ clone Niederhausen 378 and ‘Cabernet Franc’ were established in 1986 on the following eight rootstocks at Kingsville, OH near Lake Erie: own rooted, 3309C, 101-14 Mgt., 5C, 1616E, SO4, 18-815C and 5BB. ‘Cabernet Franc’ on its own roots had a lower cumulative yield and cluster number than on any other rootstock. Own rooted ‘Riesling’ also had low yields along with ‘Riesling’ on. 101-14 Mgt., 1616E and 5BB. There was an interaction with yield and cluster number due to the much higher yields on 1616E and 5BB with ‘Cabernet Franc’ compared to ‘Riesling.’ ‘Riesling’ on 3309C, 5C, SO4 18-815C and 5BB had three times the cumulative pruning weight than own rooted vines. ‘Cabernet Franc’ on SO4 had very low cumulative pruning weights. No interaction between rootstock and cultivar occurred for cluster and fruit quality data. Own rooted vines had small clusters with smaller and fewer berries. Vines on SO4, 5C and 18-815C tended to produce large clusters with more berries. Soluble solids in berries from 101-14 were higher than from berries on 1616E and 5BB. Over five years, juice pH from fruit on 3309C, 5C and SO4 was higher than juice from 1616E. Rootstock had no effect on total acidity. ‘Cabernet Franc’ had higher pruning weights and yields than ‘Riesling,’ but did not survive the low winter temperatures as well and had more crown gall.