Table grape rootstocks in South Africa

RUGGERI 140

Origin: Bred by A. Ruggeri in Palermo, Sicily, Italy in 1896

V. berlandieri x V. rupestris Synonym(s): Ru 140 and 140 Ru

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS Tolerances relating to: Phylloxera: Moderate. Nematodes: Poor (2) against root-knot and dagger nematodes. Phytophthora : Moderately sensitive. Crown gall : Poor. Wet soils: Poor. Dry soils: Poor (3) . Saline soils : Moderate. Calcareous soils : Excellent (up to 35% free lime).

• Tested on a wide spectrum of soils. • Performance not as good as Ramsey. • Poor nematode tolerance.

CULTIVATION CHARACTERISTICS Compatibility: Excellent. Bench grafting often delivers a fairly low percentage take; good results with aerial grafting. Poor (1) . Affinity: No problems observed or reported in South Africa. Problems observed in other countries with Redglobe. Problems observed with wine grapes. Rooting: Relatively problematic. Vigour if not grafted: Good to very good (1) . Vigour if grafted: Good to moderate under local conditions. Petiole nutrient status tendencies: No exceptionally high or low levels (1) .

GENERAL: • Can be used on a wide range of soils. • Included in several rootstock trials. • Long-term trial results showed that under local conditions, production of table grapes grafted to Ru 140 varies from good to poor, with mostly average performance.

34 Table Grape Rootstocks in South Africa