Variation for potassium and sodium accumulation in a family from a cross between grapevine rootstocks K 51-40 and 140 Ruggeri

Abstract

The variation in potassium (K⁺) and sodium (Na⁺) accumulation was investigated between 60 hybrids within a family obtained by crossing grapevine rootstocks K 51-40 (Vitis champinii 'Dogridge' × V. riparia 'Gloire', seed parent) with 140 Ruggeri (V. cinerea var. helleri 'Resseguier #2' × V. rupestris'St. George', pollen parent), which are known to result in higher and lower concentrations of K⁺, respectively, but similar concentrations of Na⁺, in grape juice and resultant wine from scions grafted to them. The hybrids, their parents and two standard rootstocks, Ramsey (V. champinii 'Ramsey') and 1103 Paulsen (V. cinerea var. helleri 'Resseguier #2' x V. rupestris'St. George') were replicated by clonal propagation and grown under glasshouse conditions either in potting mix, drip-irrigated with a nutrient solution containing 50, 1.7 and 30 mM Cl^-, K⁺ and Na⁺, respectively, or in aerated nutrient solution containing 25, 1.7 and 15 mM Cl^-, K⁺ and Na⁺, respectively. In both pot and solution culture trials, there were significant (P < 0.001) differences between parents for mean K⁺ (but not Na⁺) concentrations, and between hybrids for mean K⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations in laminae. This variation between the hybrids was continuous, indicating multiple rather than single gene control for K⁺ and Na⁺ accumulation within the family. Differences among the hybrids for lamina K⁺ accumulation were not strongly associated with plant vigour. While the ranking of some hybrids for K⁺ and Na+ accumulation was consistent between the trials, others responded differently, suggesting the environment of the rootzone may affect the K⁺ and Na⁺ accumulation phenotype.