From science to farmers: VITIROOT shiny app for grapevine rootstock recommendation

Abstract

The choice of grapevine rootstock remains a critical decision in vineyard establishment, as it is heavily influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including agronomic needs, productivity desires, soil type, climate variability, vine resilience, and adaptability to specific environmental conditions and enological goals. Despite decades of research on rootstocks, much of this valuable knowledge remains inaccessible to farmers. Yet to date, there is no user-friendly, open-access tool that can simplify and streamline rootstock selection and recommendation.

To meet this need, we developed VITIROOT, an open-source online platform implemented using the R programming language and the R Shiny framework. VITIROOT provides personalized rootstock recommendations based on vineyard-specific conditions, such as desired vigor, water availability, soil pH, soil salinity, drought tolerance, drainage capacity, and resistance to nematodes and phylloxera. The platform dynamically filters rootstock options and offers detailed information and visualizations on their characteristics and compatibility with grape varieties.

The current prototype features 21 rootstock widely used in Sicilian viticulture, with the database compiled from multiple reliable sources. While VITIROOT is currently tailored for regional use, its scalable design positions it for future expansion as a global tool for sustainable, data-driven rootstock selection. VITIROOT represents a promising solution tool that simplifies and streamlines the decision-making process for rootstock selection. Expanding the network and establishing new partnerships will be key steps in globalizing of this tool.