Nitrogen uptake and distribution in ‘Niagara Rosada’ grapevines, in function of rootstock and green manure

Abstract

Green manures have become an important option for recycling nutrients in organic cropping. However, its benefits are often not obtained in the short term. In this context, the study aimed to determine whether the use of cover crops during winter can contribute to N provision for the growth of grapevine plants in the following spring. The trial was carried out in a greenhouse to verify the N uptake in ‘Niagara Rosada’ (Vitis labrusca) grapevines on two rootstocks: IAC-572 ‘Jales’ and IAC 766 ‘Campinas’, and its distribution within the plant, from five sources of N, using the ¹⁵N labeling method. Oat plants showed the highest dry matter (11.68 g pot^-1). Hairy vetch was the most efficient (255.1 mg pot^-1) for the accumulation of N and oat plants showed the highest N uptake from the mineral fertilizer. The N uptake and accumulation by the ‘Niagara Rosada’ grapevines varied according to N source and rootstock. The Mineral N was superior, followed by the leguminous species cover and for the last oat plants. The IAC-572 ‘Jales’ rootstock was more efficient than IAC-766 ‘Campinas’, presumably due better soil exploration by the roots. Despite of rootstock cultivar, the N from forage peas was, between the green manure species, the most recovered by the grapevines cv. Niagara Rosada, attaining 30.8%.