Depth structures the community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi amplified from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) roots.

The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associating with grapevines has been determined previously, yet little is known of how the community in roots is shaped by depth in the soil or where roots occur in different management zones of the vineyard (vine row versus alley). The influence of depth, management zone, and time of year on the community of AMF in grape roots was examined. I also tested the potential influence of the alley vegetation on AMF in grapevines by comparing the taxa amplified from roots of other plants retrieved from the alley surface soil to those from grapevines growing in the same zone. Depth shaped the AMF community in grapevine roots more than the management zone based on dissimilarity among all grapevine samples. Time of the growing season did not, although AMF taxa richness was greater in grapevine roots collected in late summer (veraison) than it was in late spring (bloom). The number of abundant AMF taxa in grapevine roots from the uppermost soil depth in the vine row was substantially lower in late spring than in late summer, and this was related to high soil nitrate in late spring. The alley vegetation comprised primarily grass, and clover plants harbored a different AMF community in roots than did intermingled grapevine roots. The change in the AMF community in a single perennial host (grape) that occurred with depth in this study resulted from a shift among common taxa as opposed to the appearance of unique taxa in the subsoil.

Nitrate Uptake and Transport Properties of Two Grapevine Rootstocks With Varying Vigor.

In viticulture, rootstocks are essential to cope with edaphic constraints. They can also be used to modulate scion growth and development to help improve berry yield and quality. The rootstock contribution to scion growth is not fully understood. Since nitrogen (N) is a significant driver of grapevine growth, rootstock properties associated with N uptake and transport may play a key role in the growth potential of grafted grapevines. We evaluated N uptake and transport in a potted system using two grapevines rootstocks [Riparia Gloire (RG) and 1103 Paulsen (1103P)] grafted to Pinot noir (Pommard clone) scion. Combining results of nitrate induction and steady-state experiments at two N availability levels, we observed different responses in the uptake and utilization of N between the two rootstocks. The low vigor rootstock (RG) exhibited greater nitrate uptake capacity and nitrate assimilation in roots after nitrate resupply than the more vigorous 1103P rootstock. This behavior may be attributed to a greater root carbohydrate status observed in RG for both experiments. However, 1103P demonstrated a higher N translocation rate to shoots regardless of N availability. These distinct rootstock behaviors resulted in significant differences in biomass allocation between roots and shoots under N-limited conditions, although the overall vine biomass was not different. Under sufficient N supply, differences between rootstocks decreased but 1103P stored more N in roots, which may benefit growth in subsequent growing seasons. Overall, greater transpiration of vines grafted to 1103P rootstock causing higher N translocation to shoots could partially explain its known growth-promoting effect to scions under low and high N availability, whereas the low vigor typically conferred to scions by RG may result from the combination of lower N translocation to shoots and a greater allocation of biomass toward roots when N is low.

Developmental Dynamics of Meloidogyne hapla in Washington Wine Grapes.

Meloidogyne hapla is the most prevalent plant-parasitic nematode in Washington state wine grape vineyards. Understanding the developmental dynamics of M. hapla can improve the timing of diagnostic sampling and nematicide application. Three Vitis vinifera vineyards in Washington were sampled March 2015 to March 2017 to determine the developmental dynamics of M. hapla by measuring second-stage juveniles (J2) in soil, eggs and adult females in roots, and fine root tips. A model of M. hapla J2 development based on soil growing degree days using a base temperature (Tb) of 0°C (GDDsoil) and a start date of 1 March was developed. This model was validated at two additional vineyards in Washington and was robust with R2 values > 0.74. M. hapla has one generation per year and overwinters primarily as the J2 infective stage. Juvenile populations declined after 1 March, reaching their lowest density in early July and reaching a maximum density over the winter. M. hapla egg and root tip densities reached a maximum in early August. The number of females per root tip did not vary throughout the year. A single generation with defined peaks in J2 population densities will allow for specific timing of nematicide interventions.

Impact of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) Varieties on Reproduction of the Northern Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne hapla).

One of the most commonly encountered plant-parasitic nematodes in eastern Washington Vitis vinifera vineyards is Meloidogyne hapla; however, limited research exists on the impact of this nematode on V. vinifera. The objectives of this research were to determine the impact of M. hapla on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vine establishment and to determine the host status of V. vinifera varieties/clones predominantly grown in Washington to M. hapla. In a microplot experiment, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted into soil inoculated with different densities of M. hapla; population dynamics of M. hapla and vine performance were monitored over 3 yr. In greenhouse experiments, several clones representing five V. vinifera varieties, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, were evaluated as hosts for M. hapla. In both microplot and greenhouse experiments, white varieties were significantly better hosts than red varieties. In the greenhouse experiments, Chardonnay and Riesling had 40% higher reproduction factor values than Syrah and Merlot, however, all varieties/clones screened were good hosts for M. hapla (reproduction factors > 3). In the microplot experiment, M. hapla eggs/g root were 4.5 times greater in Chardonnay compared to Cabernet Sauvignon 3 yr after planting but there was no evident impact of M. hapla on vine establishment.

Spatial Distribution of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Semi-Arid Vitis vinifera Vineyards in Washington.

The most commonly encountered plant-parasitic nematodes in eastern Washington Vitis vinifera vineyards are Meloidogyne hapla, Mesocriconema xenoplax, Pratylenchus spp., Xiphinema americanum, and Paratylenchus sp.; however, little is known about their distribution in the soil profile. The vertical and horizontal spatial distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes was determined in two Washington V. vinifera vineyards. Others variables measured in these vineyards included soil moisture content, fine root biomass, and root colonization by arbuscular mycorhizal fungi (AMF). Meloidogyne hapla and M. xenoplax were aggregated under irrigation emitters within the vine row and decreased with soil depth. Conversely, Pratylenchus spp. populations were primarily concentrated in vineyard alleyways and decreased with depth. Paratylenchus sp. and X. americanum were randomly distributed within the vineyards. Soil water content played a dominant role in the distribution of fine roots and plant-parasitic nematodes. Colonization of fine roots by AMF decreased directly under irrigation emitters; in addition, galled roots had lower levels of AMF colonization compared with healthy roots. These findings will help facilitate sampling and management decisions for plant-parasitic nematodes in Washington semi-arid vineyards.

Net carbon exchange in grapevine canopies responds rapidly to timing and extent of regulated deficit irrigation.

Whole-canopy net CO2 exchange (NCEC) was measured near key stages of fruit development in grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) that were managed under three approaches to regulated deficit irrigation (RDI): (1) standard practice (RDIS), or weekly replacement of 60-70% of estimated evapotranspiration for well watered grapevines; (2) early additional deficit (RDIE), or one-half of RDIS applied between fruit set and the onset of ripening (veraison), followed by RDIS; and (3) RDIS followed by late additional deficit (RDIL), or one-half of RDIS applied between veraison and harvest. Summed between fruit set and harvest, nearly 40% less irrigation was applied to RDIE vines and ~20% less to RDIL vines than to those continuously under RDIS. After ~5 weeks of additional deficit, NCEC in RDIE vines was 43-46% less per day than in RDIS vines. After RDIL vines had been under additional water deficit for ~3 weeks, NCEC was ~33% less per day than in RDIS vines. Instantaneous rates of NCEC responded rapidly to irrigation delivery and elapsed time between irrigation sets. Concurrent single-leaf measurements (NCEL) reflected the relative differences in NCEC between irrigation treatments, and were linearly associated with NCEC (r2=0.61). Despite halving the water applied under commercial RDI, mid-day stomatal conductance values in RDIE and RDIL of ~50-125mmolm-2s-1 indicated that the additional deficit imposed only moderate water stress. There was no effect of additional deficit on yield or berry maturity.

The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi amplified from grapevine roots (Vitis vinifera L.) in Oregon vineyards is seasonally stable and influenced by soil and vine age.

The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in 10 Oregon vineyards was assessed by examining spores in soil and amplifying mycorrhizal DNA from roots. Seventeen spore morphotypes were found in soil, including seven species in the Acaulosporaceae. Eighteen phylotypes were amplified from grape roots with AM1 and NS31 primers, and clones were dominated by Glomus spp. (> 99%). A few clones (< 1%) representing a single phylotype within Gigasporaceae, and a single clone within Archaeosporaceae were amplified from roots with AM1-NS31 primers. A separate experiment employing known proportions of grape roots colonized by Glomus intraradices or by Gigaspora rosea showed that fungi within Gigasporaceae might be underrepresented in clone abundance when Glomus spp. co-occur in roots. No clones representing fungi within the Acaulosporaceae were amplified from vineyards, although specific fungi within Acaulosporaceae were shown to colonize Pinot noir roots in sterilized soil and were amplified from these roots. Four Glomus phylotypes, including G. intraradices, were found in roots from all 10 vineyards, and these fungi accounted for 81% of clones. AMF phylotypes amplified from roots did not change during the growing season, although six phylotypes varied with soil type. The presence of three phylotypes was affected by vineyard age, and phylotype richness appeared to decline as vineyard age increased beyond 20 y. PCA analysis supported the hypothesis that the AMF community is different in red-hill soils than in valley soils and indicated certain phylotypes might be associated with lower soil and vine nutrient status. However, the changes in the AMF community in grape roots across vineyards were subtle because most root samples were dominated by the same three or four phylotypes. A separate analysis using primers to amplify AMF from the Archeasporaceae/Paraglomeraceae showed most root samples also were colonized by at least one Paraglomus or Archaeospora phylotype.

Deficit irrigation promotes arbuscular colonization of fine roots by mycorrhizal fungi in grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) in an arid climate.

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is a common practice applied in irrigated vineyards to control canopy growth and improve fruit quality, but little is known of how imposed water deficits may alter root growth and colonization by beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Thus, root growth and mycorrhizal colonization were determined throughout the growing season for 3 years in own-rooted, field-grown, 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grapevines exposed to three RDI treatments. Vines under standard RDI were irrigated at 60 to 70% of full-vine evapotranspiration (FVET) from 2 weeks after fruit set until harvest, a standard commercial practice. Early deficit vines were exposed to a more extreme deficit (30% FVET) during the period from 2 weeks after fruit set until the commencement of ripening (veraison), and thereafter reverted to standard RDI. Late deficit vines were under standard RDI until veraison, then exposed to a more extreme deficit (30% FVET) between veraison and harvest. The production of fine roots was reduced in both the early and late deficit treatments, but the reduction was more consistent in the early deficit vines because the additional deficit was imposed when roots were more rapidly growing. The frequency of arbuscules in fine roots was greater in both of the additional deficit treatments than in the standard RDI, a response that appeared chronic, as the higher frequency of arbuscules was observed throughout the season despite the additional deficits being applied at discrete times. It appears that grapevines compensated for a lower density of fine roots by stimulating arbuscular colonization. Irrigation did not affect yield or quality of grapes, but reduced whole-vine photosynthesis during the additional deficit periods. It appears that high-quality grapes can be produced in this region with less water than that applied under the current RDI practice because the root system of the vine may be more efficient due to greater arbuscular colonization by AMF.