Grapevine root system architecture: empirical insights and first steps towards in silico studies

Abstract

Root System Architecture (RSA) is crucial for plant resilience and resource uptake, yet remains underexplored in viticulture. We present key findings from our two-year vineyard establishment trial where we applied a field-to-parameter pipeline to explore the RSA development of young vines (cv. Riesling) grafted on different rootstocks, obtaining high-resolution 3D RSA data. In total, we excavated and digitized 96 root systems from three distinct rootstock genotypes — ‘101-14’, ‘SO4’, and ‘Richter 110’ — at four developmental stages: 3, 6, 15, and 18 months post-plantation. Our results demonstrate that rootstock genotype significantly influences major RSA parameters, such as rooting depth, branching patterns, and rooted soil volume. We highlight how 3D representations of root systems provide more profound insights compared to traditional 2D approaches, particularly in understanding how genotypic variations influence potential water uptake capabilities within the 3D soil domain. Additionally, our findings shed light on how spatial rooting patterns are influenced under realistic winegrowing conditions, with a notable limitation of inter-row soil exploitation, potentially induced by soil compaction due to tractor traffic. Looking ahead, we introduce our dynamic grapevine root growth model to simulate genotype-specific RSA development. This model serves as a foundation for future in silico experiments aimed at modeling rootstock suitability under specific climatic and edaphic conditions, including drought stress scenarios. By highlighting existing knowledge gaps, this work sets the stage for advancing RSA research to enhance predictive modeling and implement model-informed modifications to viticultural practices, like intercropping systems, under changing environmental conditions.