Influence of grafting production method on agronomic performance of wine grape varieties

Abstract Agronomic performance of different types of Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc vines grafted on ‘1103 Paulsen’ rootstock were evaluated after planting in Videira-SC. The treatment factors tested were the variety scions and grafted plants: RN – year-old bare root produced by omega grafting, EV – year-old bare root rootstock grafted in the summer, EI – rootstock cuttings rooted first in pots and then planted in the field at the end of spring and grafted in the following winter, FE - rootstock cuttings incubated for callusing and grafted just after the emission of first roots and then planted in the field, BI – year-old bare root rootstocks planted in the field in the winter and then grafted in the following winter, BE –year-old bare root rootstocks grafted and planted in the field after the scion buds started sprouting. The study was carried out as a randomized block experimental design. The ‘Chardonnay’ variety showed slower growth compared to the others, regardless of the grafted plant used. It is possible to implement commercial vineyards using all the types of grafted plants evaluated. The vines produced by BE, RN and FE presented a higher survival rate after being planted in the field.