Effects of salinity and boro in 14 genotypes of Vitis: growth, leaf damage and mortality

Abstract

For the west of Argentina, vitiviniculture represents the main agricultural industry.  In the irrigated valleys where viticulture is developed, the problems of salinity and toxicity of some ions in the soil limit productivity and quality of the obtained products. The tolerance to toxic ions (Cl^–, Na⁺, B (OH)^4-) of the commercial grape cultivars is rather low, but it is feasible to use rootstocks that withstand high levels of ions in the soil through different mechanisms. The purpose of the study was to determine the tolerance of 14 genotypes of Vitis subjected to high concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl), boron (B) and a combination of both, analyzing seven hybrids and seven American Vitis vinifera varieties. One-year-old plants were maintained under semi-controlled conditions, watered with a NaCl solution (10dS / m), a boron (B) solution (2ppm) and a NaCl + B (10dS / m + 2ppm) combination, respectively. The control treatment comprised a complete nutrient solution. Growth and survival parameters were evaluated for 60 days. Monitoring of the plants included growth parameters, growth rates, and percentage of leaf damage. The results showed that Muscat and Syrah genotypes had higher tolerance to saline conditions while 1103Paulsen, Malbec and 101-14 Mgt were the most sensitive genotypes, with a high mortality rate. With regard to the toxic effect of boron, Sultanina was the most tolerant genotype while 1103 Paulsen and 140 Ruggeri were the most sensitive to this ion. With respect to the boron-salt combination, the tolerant genotype was Torrontés riojano, and the sensitive genotypes were 101-14 Mgt, 1103Paulsen and Malbec.