The importance of Soil Analysis and Rootstocks

In the 1850s European vines were attacked by a bug called Phylloxera. The small bug, imported to Europe from North America, attacked and killed the roots of grapevines planted across Europe and wiping out as many as 75% to 90% of planted vines in the process.

A response was needed and it was discovered that North American rootstocks had some resistance to the bug, having evolved with it. Botanists at the time found that a European grape variety could be grafted to a North American rootstock and the vine would grow and produce the original grapes as the genetic material responsible for the grapes had not been altered. Hence, this method of grafting a North American rootstock to any grape variety has now become standard practice.

This process has opened up opportunities for grape growers in all climates to get a vine suitable for the soil they occupy whilst growing the grapes they want. The practice of grafting means you get both the combination of the disease resistant rootstock, with a rootstock that is also suited for a specific soil type.  This helps the same vine thrive in various soil conditions by adopting the correct rootstock. This is particularly useful for cool climate growing and is a standard practise in the UK.

It is therefore to the grape growers advantage to understand your soil type and pick the right rootstock.  Questions you need understand include:

• How acidic or alkaline is the soils?

• Is it dry or wet?

• Do you want the grapes to grow deep roots or stay shallow?

• Do you need a tolerance for salt?

• How much vigour do you want in the grapevines?

If you want semi deep roots, with moderate to high vigour, that can cope with wet soils, then you might go for an SO4 rootsock.    

There are numerous options so one can be found to suit your plot.  You may find that conditions vary across the block of land, so you may want different rootstocks for the different sub locations. It is definitely worth considering if you have a large and varied site.

These choices are part of your vineyard planning phase and we would strongly recommend that you do some soil analysis to understand the your composition. You can then work with your vine supplier to get the correct mix of vines and rootstocks for your site. 

At The Vinehouse UK, we can happily help you with soil analysis and also work with you to find the correct combination of vines to rootstocks and optimise the growth of your vineyard.