LED spectra to improve cuttings in Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Nebbiolo’ and ‘Barbera’

Abstract

High-quality planting material is important for sustainable viticulture, and the early establishment of grapevine cuttings depends on rapid adventitious rooting and vigorous shoot growth. Light is an environmental factor that can influence plant development, including root and shoot formation. In recent years, LED technology has been increasingly used in plant research and propagation systems because it allows precise control of light spectrum and intensity, reduced heat emission, and stable light conditions compared to conventional lamps. Studies in different species have shown that specific LED spectra can improve rooting and shoot growth. For this reason, here we tested two LED spectra, Red:Blue:Far-red (RBFr) and Red:Blue:Green:Far-red (RBGFr), against a white LED control in single-bud cuttings of Vitis vinifera L. cvs ‘Nebbiolo’ and ‘Barbera’.

Cuttings were standardized for size and rooted in deionized water under the three light treatments (60 µmol m-2 s-1). The basal end was immersed for 24 h in an aqueous indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution (0, 120, or 250 mg L-1), after which the solution was replaced with fresh deionized water.

The experiment was randomized and combined cultivar, light treatment, and IBAdose, with 20 cuttings per treatment combination. After 30 days in water, rooting and callusing percentages, number of roots per cutting, and root length were analysed. Root system traits, including total root length and branching, was analysed using ImageJ software. After transplanting to perlite, survival, bud break, shoot length, leaf number, leaf area, and SPAD were monitored. This study aims to identify light and hormone combinations that improve rooting efficiency and promote shoot development in two important grapevine cultivars, providing useful information for nursery propagation.

References

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