Table grape rootstocks in South Africa

I met Jan Avenant in 1989. We worked together for more than a decade in the Viticulture Division of the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. Since the beginning of his research career, in 1980, he has made various meaningful research contributions to the South African table and raisin grape industries. He is still involved in research in these fields. Between 1980 and 1993, while stationed on the Roodeplaat Experimental Farm outside Pretoria, he was responsible for establishing basic viticultural principles for the northern provinces, including planting his first table grape rootstock trials on different trial sites in these provinces. Since 1994, Mr Avenant has been stationed at Nietvoorbij, outside Stellenbosch. His research remains focused on viticultural aspects of table and raisin grape cultivation. Since the beginning of his research career, rootstock evaluation has been one of his main research focus areas. For 27 years, he has conducted rootstock evaluation trials in all five of the table grape production regions and the two primary raisin grape regions in South Africa. This book provides a compilation of research results obtained from his evaluation of table grape rootstocks. The book contains results from his research and other relevant work conducted in South Africa and internationally. The use of rootstocks in viticulture in South Africa became a practice about 140 years ago, after phylloxera from FOREWORD

Europe caused large-scale degeneration among local vineyards. For many years, this soilborne insect was considered the primary cause of deficient vigour and poor grape quality. Today, growers know that many factors determine the performance of their vineyard. Scientists have shown through research that various soilborne organisms impair the vine’s growth. Soil conditions also play a significant role in grapevine performance. If we also add to this the inherent characteristics of the scion and rootstock cultivars and the varying degree of compatibility and affinity that exists between scion and rootstocks, we realise that the choice of which rootstock to use for a new planting is a complex task. Research conducted over many years in South Africa and the experience and results of many field trials provide comprehensive information that enables producers to make informed decisions. This book addresses viticultural aspects such as current rootstock use and rootstock characteristics, including adaptability to soil conditions. It contains valuable information that will enable table grape producers to make rootstock choices for their specific cultivars, soil conditions and climate. At an academic level, lecturers can also use this book as study material for their students. The author succeeds in presenting many research results in an informative, visual and easy-to-interpret way and gives practical guidelines about decision-making in rootstock choices.

Dr Jan Loubser

2 Table Grape Rootstocks in South Africa