Submitted by Socorro Pontes (socorrop@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-03-02T14:51:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ChristianeMCR_TESE.pdf: 1824459 bytes, checksum: 8d67db5817b6096ad2d44e2a3043a10d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-03-21T15:02:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ChristianeMCR_TESE.pdf: 1824459 bytes, checksum: 8d67db5817b6096ad2d44e2a3043a10d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-21T15:02:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ChristianeMCR_TESE.pdf: 1824459 bytes, checksum: 8d67db5817b6096ad2d44e2a3043a10d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-03 / Emepa - Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária / The social and economic importance of yellow mombin is due to the marketing of its raw fruits and derivatives. The non-existence of commercial clones and the high plant size are the main obstacles to its rational cultivation being necessary to make the cloning a viable instrument through the interspecific rootstocks in order to downsize the plants heights. Studies done with yellow mombin grafted onto rootstocks of yellow mombin and hog-plum did not markedly downsize the plant height but these clones were not evaluated in other enviroments. The yellow mombin shows potential for remedies. In the pharmaceutical industry it is used as phytotherapics against the Herpes virus. In works done with this species some bioactive compounds were found in the leaves such as flavonoids and tannins. Although this potential, some researches on chemical characterization and genetic diversity among genotypes are incipient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vegetative growth of yellow mombin clones grafted onto interspecific rootstocks in different environments and the genetic diversity as to bioactive compounds among accessions of the Emepa-PB´s germplasm bank. In order to evaluate the clones development two trials with a completely randomized block design were performed. The trial 1 was conducted in a 3 x 4 x 3 factorial design with four repetitions, totaling 36 treatments, being three different interspecific rootstocks with yellow mombin (S. mombin), hog-plum (S. tuberosa) and coarse mombin (S. venulosa), four graftings of yellow mombin clones (Itaitinga, Gereau, Lagoa Redonda and Genipabu) and three different places (João Pessoa, PB, Ipanguaçu, RN and Itabuna, BA). The trial 2 was conducted in a 4 x 3 factorial design, with four repetitions, totaling 12 treatments. Three graftings of yellow mombin (Emepa 8.2, Emepa 8.6 and Emepa 20) obtained from the grafting between yellow mombin clones, grafted onto yellow mombin, plus one genotype of ungrafted yellow mombin, were used in the same places. The evaluated variables for the two trials at the 8, 39 and 46 months old were plant height, stem circumference, crown spread, crown format, number of branches and percentage of dead plants. The conclusions are that the environment, the grafting and the rootstocks did not influence the size and vigor of the clones allowing the identification of the morphological characteristics variations in each environment; that in Trial 1, for the three enviroments, the graftings of yellow mombin onto yellow mombin, hog-plum and coarse mombin rootstocks did not form clones with ideal sizes so that they cannot be recommended for commercial plantation; that in Trial 2, in the three enviroments, the Emepa 8.2 showed smaller size, bigger crown spread, major number of branches, 100% crown in a spread format and it can be recommended for new studies and later multiplication for commercial plantation. Leaves and barks of 27 yellow mombin accessions of the Emepa´s germplasm bank, in João Pessoa, PB, were used. The extractions were performed with methanol and the identification and quantification of bioactive compounds were checked through the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). For the grouping of accessions were used the Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and the UPGMA method. The standardized Euclidean distancewas used as a measure of genetic diversity. Rutin, quercetin, ellagic acid and geraniin compounds were quantified in leaves and ellagic acid and geraniin compounds were quantified inbarks. The highest amounts were found in leaves. Seven groups were formed. The accession group A3 was the most divergent with high amounts of rutin, quercetin and ellagic acid in leaves. The conclusion is that there is variability among accessions and it must be preserved and exploited through the genetic improvement programs / A importância socioeconômica da cajazeira é devido à comercialização dos frutos e do consumo de seus derivados. A inexistência de clones comerciais e o porte alto da planta constituem-se em entraves ao seu cultivo racional, necessitando viabilizar a clonagem com porta-enxertos interspecíficos visando reduzir o porte das plantas. Estudos realizados com a cajazeira enxertada na própria espécie e em umbuzeiro não demonstraram a diminuição significativa do porte da planta. No entanto, esses clones não foram avaliados em outros ambientes. A cajazeira apresenta potencial para medicamentos. Na indústria farmacêutica é utilizada como fitoterápico contra o vírus do Herpes. Em trabalhos realizados por outros pesquisadores, foram identificados compostos bioativos nas folhas tais como flavonoides e taninos. Apesar desse potencial, as pesquisas sobre a caracterização química e a divergência genética entre os genótipos são incipientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento de clones de cajazeira enxertados sobre porta-enxertos interespecíficos em diferentes ambientes e a diversidade genética quanto a compostos bioativos entre acessos do banco de germoplasma da Emepa-PB. Para avaliação do desenvolvimento dos clones, foram realizados dois ensaios em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O Ensaio 1 foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 3 x 4 x 3, com quatro repetições, totalizando 36 tratamentos, sendo três porta-enxertos interespecíficos com cajazeira (S. mombin), umbuzeiro (S. tuberosa) e cajazeira-grande (S. venulosa), quatro enxertos de clones de cajazeira (Itaitinga, Gereau, Lagoa Redonda e Genipabu), e três locais (João Pessoa, PB, Ipanguaçu, RN e Itabuna, BA). O Ensaio 2 foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 4 x 3, com quatro repetições, totalizando 12 tratamentos. Foram utilizados três exertos de acessos de cajazeira (Emepa 8.2, Emepa 8.6 e Emepa 20) enxertados sobre cajazeira, mais um pé-franco de cajazeira, nos mesmos locais. As variáveis avaliadas, aos 8, 39 e 46 meses de idade, para os Ensaios 1 e 2, foram altura de planta, perímetro de caule, largura e formato de copa, número de ramos e mortalidade de plantas. Concluiu-se que o ambiente, os enxertos e os porta-enxertos de espécies de Spondias influenciaram no desenvolvimento dos clones, permitindo identificar variabilidade nas características morfológicas em cada ambiente; no Ensaio 1, nos três ambientes, a enxertia da cajazeira sobre porta-enxertos de cajazeira, cajazeira-grande e umbuzeiro não formaram clones com porte ideal para recomendação comercial; no Ensaio 2, nos três ambientes, o clone Emepa 8.2 apresentou menor porte, maior largura de copa, maior número de ramos e 100% de formato de copa esgalhada, podendo ser recomendado para novos estudos e posterior multiplicação para exploração comercial. Para avaliação da diversidade genética, foram utilizadas folhas e cascas de cajazeira de 27 acessos do banco de germoplasma da Emepa, em João Pessoa, PB. As extrações foram realizadas com metanol e a quantificação foi determinada por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). Para o agrupamento dos acessos utilizou-se a Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) e o método aglomerativo UPGMA. Foi utilizada a distância euclidiana média padronizada como medida de dissimilaridade genética. Foram quantificados nas folhas os compostos rutina, quercetina, ácido elágico e geraniina e foram quantificados nas cascas os compostos ácido elágico e geraniina. Os maiores valores foram obtidos nas folhas. Foram formados 7 grupos. O acesso A3 foi o mais divergente com valores elevados de rutina, quercetina e geraniina nas folhas. Concluiu-se que há variabilidade entre os acessos e que esta deve ser preservada e explorada em programas de melhoramento genético / 2017-02-24

Considerando o sistema atual de produção de mudas cítricas, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de irrigação e fertirrigação sobre o crescimento do porta-enxerto citrumelo 'Swingle' (Citrus paradisi x Poncirus trifoliata), propondo modelos matemáticos para se descrever estas interações, e desenvolver, construir e analisar a performance de dois lisímetros móveis de pesagem, utilizando-se célula de carga confeccionada com cilindro hidráulico em um e diafragma no outro. A primeira fase deste trabalho foi realizada utilizando-se porta-enxertos cultivados em container com substrato, sob condições de ambiente protegido, em um viveiro comercial situado no município paulista de Rio Claro. Utilizou-se o delineamento balanceado para vizinhança, composto por oito blocos, cada um com quatro linhas e quatro colunas, constituído-se 16 tratamentos, através da combinação de dois fatores, irrigação e fertirrigação. Foram avaliados os efeitos de níveis de irrigação e nutrientes sobre a taxa de crescimento relativo do porta-enxerto. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho permitiram concluir que o volume total de água de 9,838L.planta-1, distribuídos ao longo dos 71 dias, e o fornecimento de (mg.planta-1) 468,6 de NO3, 20,9 de N-NH4, 49,5 de P, 358,7 de K, 361,6 de Ca, 64,2 de Mg, 2,59 de Cu, 3,93 de Zn, 3,93 de Mn, 16,49 de Fe e 0,05 de Mo, parcelado em 21 fertirrigações, promoveram a maior precocidade de formação do porta-enxerto, quando comparados aos demais níveis. Os modelos matemáticos TCRD = 0,004636316 + 0,00001313791L - 0,00001160437N e TCRA = 0,03357119 + 0,00002852342L - 0,0007466065N + 0,000007850791N2 - 0,00000002718364N3, foram validados, sento TCRD e TCRA a taxa de crescimento relativo, em função do diâmetro e altura do caule, respectivamente, L e N uma porcentagem da quantidade de água e nutrientes, a ser aplicada, respectivamente. A segunda fase deste trabalho foi realizada no Departamento de Engenharia Rural, pertencente à Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” - ESALQ/USP, em Piracicaba, SP. A solução encontrada para se viabilizar a lisimetria em casa de vegetação, com grupos de plantas muito heterogêneos, foi o emprego de uma estrutura móvel capaz de pesar, isoladamente, vários Contentores de Mudas. O número de contentores seria diretamente proporcional ao número de variedades cultivadas e estádio de desenvolvimento, enquanto que o número de estruturas móveis de pesagem seria função do número de contentores a ser pesado em um dado período. Concluiu-se neste trabalho que o lisímetro com cilindro hidráulico apresentou um desempenho insatisfatório, devido à detecção de histerese e lentidão de resposta. Todavia, o emprego de um diafragma proporcionou um desempenho superior ao do cilindro hidráulico, resultando na equação matemática V=0,0178.LR, onde V é o volume de água (L.planta-1) e LR é a leitura piezométrica (mm). Esta equação apresentou um r2 de 0,9971, indicando a excelente precisão do equipamento. Com um r2 de 0,9975, originado da regressão entre o volume estimado e volume real, e um índice de Concordância (d) de 0,99926, o lisímetro apresentou excelente acurácia, com resolução de 0,45mm de lâmina de água. Sua mobilidade permitiu o livre deslocamento entre bancadas de mudas, exigindo um único operador. O custo total estimado de construção de cada lisímetro foi de US$1.108,54. / The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of different levels of irrigation and fertirrigation on the growth of the citrumelo ‘Swingle’ (Citrus paradisi x Poncirus trifoliata) rootstock, establishing mathematical models to describe these interactions and develop, construct and evaluate the performance of two movable weighing lysimeter, applying a hydraulic load cell made of hydraulical cylinder and diaphragm. The first trial studied the vegetative growth of containerized citrus rootstock, in a commercial screenhouse situated in Rio Claro, São Paulo State, Brazil. The experiment used the neighbor balanced design, composition of eight blocks, each one with four lines and four columns, consisting of 16 treatments, through the combination of two factors: irrigation and fertirrigação. The effect of irrigation and nutrients levels on the relative growth rate of rootstock was evaluated. The results showed that the water total of 9.838L/plant, distributed in 71 days, and the supply of (mg/plant) 468.6NO3, 20.9NNH4, 49.5P, 358.7K, 361.6Ca, 64.2Mg, 2.59Cu, 3.93Zn, 3.93Mn, 16.49Fe e 0.05Mo, split application in 21 fertirrigation, promoted the precocity growth of rootstock, when compared with the other levels. The mathematical models was been validated, resulting in: TCRD = 0,004636316 + 0,00001313791L - 0,00001160437N and TCRA = 0,03357119 + 0,00002852342L - 0,0007466065N + 0,000007850791N2 - 0,00000002718364N3 with TCRD and TCRA being the relative growth rate as a function of diameter and height, respectively, L and N were the percentage of the amount of water and nutrients applied, respectively. The second trial was conducted at the Department of Agricultural Engineering, at the Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” - ESALQ/USP, in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. The solution was to make a feasible use of lysimeter in actual citrus nursery production system in screenhouse, with high heterogeneous group of plants, was to use a movable structure, able to weight several containers of seedlings, sequentially. The number of container was function of number of varieties and development stage. The number of weighing structure was a function of the number of containers. From results, it was concluded that lysimeter with hydraulical cylinder presented an unsatisfactory performance, due to hysteresis and slowness of reply. However, the lysimeter with diaphragm presented a good performance, providing the mathematic equation V=0.0178LR, where V is the volume of water (L/plant) and LR is the piezometric reading (mm). The determination coefficient (r2,) was 0.9971, indicating an excellent adjustment of equipment. A regression between estimated and real volume, provide a r2 of 0.9975 and Concordance Index (d) of 0.99926, indicated a excellent accuracy, with 0.45mm water depth resolution. The mobility of equipment allowed free movement between nursery benches, with just one operator. Total construction cost was US$1,108.54, for each lysimeter.

Le sujet de l’adaptation aux changements climatiques est devenu l’un des sujets contemporains les plus importants dans la vigne. Une grande focalisation a été mise sur la compréhension des effets du porte-greffe sur la croissance du scion, l’absorption des nutriments, et la tolérance au stress, dans l’objectif final de développer de nouveaux porte-greffes qui facilitent l’adaptation au changement climatique. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’examiner comment les différences dans la résistance à la sécheresse entre les génotypes peut résulter en de grandes différences dans leur capacité à maintenir leur croissance racinaire en situation de stress. Une meilleure compréhension sur la manière dont la structure, la croissance racinaire et l’absorption d’eau répondent au stress nous permettra de mieux comprendre quels sont les aspects de la physiologie racinaire qui contribuent à la tolérance face à la sécheresse. Des recherches précédentes qui s’étaient focalisées sur l’absorption d’eau racinaire chez la vigne ont suggéré que l’absorption d’eau racinaire pouvait être fortement liée à la vitesse de croissance racinaire instantanée (voir Gambetta et al. 2013). Cette observation implique que des différences entre les génotypes dans la résistance face à la sécheresse pourrait largement résulter de leur capacité à maintenir la croissance racinaire en conditions de stress. Deux porte-greffes de vigne avec des capacités contrastées en matière de résistance à la sécheresse, le Riparia Gloire de Montpellier (RGM) et le 110 Richter (110R) ont été sélectionnés pour étudier dans cette thèse. RGM est considéré comme sensible à la sécheresse, tandis que 110R est fortement résistant à la sécheresse (Carbonneau 1985). La thèse a examiné la relation entre la croissance racinaire et la capacité de résistance à la sécheresse en évaluant la vitesse de croissance racinaire, la conductivité hydraulique à travers deux variétés de porte-greffe en conditions de déficit en eau. Le niveau de l’expression des gènes d’aquaporines (via la qPCR et l’ARNseq) et leur contribution à la conductivité hydraulique racinaire ont été analysés dans les radicelles afin d’obtenir une meilleure compréhension sur les mécanismes impliqués dans la régulation de l’absorption de l’eau racinaire et la conductivité hydraulique au cours du développement et en réponse à un manque d’eau.Le traitement de stress d’eau prolongé a diminué le potentiel hydraulique de la plante. La croissance racinaire individuelle est très hétérogène : bien que le traitement de sécheresse réduise l’élongation racinaire en moyenne, la vitesse de croissance racinaire varie tout de même énormément. Un haut niveau de stress hydrique a réduit significativement la vitesse de croissance racinaire moyenne à la fois pour RGM et 110R. Globalement, la vitesse de croissance racinaire moyenne a montré une tendance réduite au cours du développement de la plante. La température du sol est aussi un facteur qui affecte la croissance racinaire. Pour RGM et 110R, en conditionsIIde bon arrosage et de stress hydrique, la vitesse de croissance quotidienne moyenne a été positivement corrélée avec la température du sol quotidienne moyenne. En conditions de bon arrosage, des vitesses de croissance racinaires plus importantes ont été constamment observées chez 110R par rapport à RGM, ce qui pourrait être une explication possible de sa meilleure résistance à la sécheresse par rapport à 110R. [...] / The subject of adaptation to climate change has become one of the most important contemporary topics in grapevine. Much focus has been placed on the understanding of rootstocks effects on scion growth, nutrient uptake, and tolerance to stress, with the ultimate goal of developing novel rootstocks that facilitate adaptation to a changing climate. The purpose of this thesis is to examine how differences in drought resistance between genotypes could result largely from differences in their ability to maintain root growth under stress. A better understanding of how root structure, growth, and water uptake respond to stress will allow us to better understand what aspects of root physiology contribute to drought tolerance. Previous research focused on root water uptake in grapevine suggested that root water uptake could be tightly coupled to a root’s instantaneous rate of growth (see Gambetta et al. 2013). This observation implies that differences in drought resistance between genotypes could result largely from their ability to maintain root growth under stress. Two grapevine rootstocks with contrasting drought resistance capacity, Riparia Gloire de Montpellier (RGM) and 110 Richter (110R), were selected to study in this thesis. RGM is considered as sensitive to drought, while 110R is highly resistant to drought (Carbonneau 1985). The thesis examined the relationship between root growth and drought resistant capacity by assessing root growth rate, hydraulic conductivity across two rootstock varieties subjected to water deficit. The role of aquaporin gene expression (via qPCR and RNAseq) and their contribution to root hydraulic conductivity were analyzed in fine roots in order to obtain a better understanding on the mechanisms involved in the regulation of root water uptake and hydraulic conductivity across development and in response to water deficit.Prolonged water stress treatment decreased plant water potential. Individual root growth is very heterogeneous, although drought treatment reduces root elongation on average, individual root growth rate still varies enormously. High level of water stress significantly reduced average root growth rate for both RGM and 110R. Globally, average root growth rate showed a decreased trend over plant development. Soil temperature is also a factor that affects root growth. For both RGM and 110R, under both well-watered and water-stressed conditions, average daily root growth rate was positively correlated with average daily soil temperature. Under well-watered conditions, higher root growth rates were constantly observed in 110R compared to RGM, which could be one possible explanation for the higher capacity in drought resistance of 110R.Root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) was influenced by both water stress treatment and plant developmental stage. Generally, for both RGM and 110R, Lpr was significantly reduced under water stress in early stage. In mid and late stages, no significant differences in Lpr were observedIVbetween well-watered and water-stressed plants. Changes in individual root Lpr in response to pre-dawn leaf water potential (ᴪpredawn) were investigated as well. Lpr showed a fast drop in the beginning of water stress treatment when ᴪpredawn was higher than -0.5 MPa. However, with ᴪpredawn getting more negative, e.g. from -0.4 MPa to -2.0 MPa, the range of Lpr values measured in our study maintained constant. Lpr of well-watered plants decreased as well even though their ᴪpredawn was maintained at a high level (< 0.1 MPa) during the period of the experiment. [...]

Orientador: Rumy Goto / Banca: João Domingos Rodrigues / Banca: Haroldo Tavares Elias / Resumo: Avaliou-se o efeito de reguladores vegetais em pepineiro, em um hibrido tipo japonês 'Tsuyataro', a campo e em ambiente de cultivo protegido, avaliando-se as aplicações de reguladores vegetais em plantas enxertadas e não enxertadas, sobre o número de frutos e peso de frutos comerciais e totais. Aplicou-se o Stimulate® em diferentes concentrações via foliar, aos 30 dias pós transplante. Observou-se aumentos significativos com a concentração de 375 mL de Stimulate® ha -1, para número de frutos, massa de frutos totais e comercias por metro quadrado em plantas não enxertadas. / Abstract: Evaluate the effect of plant regulators in cucumber, in a hybrid type japanese 'Tsuyataro', the field and on environment of cultivation protected, evaluating the applications of regulators vegetable on plants grafted and non-grafted, above the number of fruit, and fruit weight and total trade. Applies is the Stimulate ®, in different concentrations merry way, at 30 days post transplant, is observed significant increases with the concentration of 375 mL of Stimulate ® ha -1, for number of fruit, total weight of fruits and total trade by square meter for non-grafted plants. / Mestre

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Anteriormente, investigadores del Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA) y la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV) evaluaron la respuesta a estrés hídrico en pimiento injertado para obtener patrones de pimiento que confieran tolerancia a la variedad injertada en estrés hídrico. Los mejores patrones se estudian en campo en condiciones de estrés hídrico a largo plazo. Se patentó el patrón híbrido de pimiento NIBER® tolerante a estrés hídrico, las plantas injertadas sobre NIBER® mostraron menor impacto en la biomasa y el rendimiento en déficit hídrico a largo plazo. La tolerancia de NIBER® se atribuyó al mantenimiento de la actividad fotosintética y una mejor distribución de la biomasa radicular en estrés hídrico. Además, la respuesta sostenida de tolerancia observada en las plantas injertadas sobre NIBER® podría relacionarse con una respuesta rápida en la fase inicial en estrés hídrico, que no se conoce a corto plazo. Así, estudiar la contribución de la respuesta a corto plazo de NIBER® sobre la tolerancia de la variedad injertada en estrés hídrico arrojaría luz en las estrategias de tolerancia en plantas injertadas de pimiento. Además, estudiar la modulación génica, el balance hormonal y el perfil metabólico ampliará el conocimiento sobre los mecanismos moleculares en la respuesta a estrés hídrico. En esta tesis doctoral, observamos que los mecanismos constitutivos en ausencia de estrés hídrico influyen en la respuesta a estrés hídrico en plantas injertadas de pimiento, y que las estrategias constitutivas de NIBER® incluyen la estimulación del sistema antioxidante y la inducción sostenida de ABA. En estrés hídrico, las raíces de NIBER® muestran un menor impacto que las raíces de A10, dado su menor contenido de GSSG por menor daño oxidativo. NIBER® promueve la síntesis de osmolitos en la raíz y vitamina B6 en las hojas de la variedad injertada protegiendo al aparato fotosintético del daño oxidativo producido por el estrés hídrico. Además, la prolina, implicada en la protección del aparato fotosintético, se acumula en las plantas injertadas sobre el híbrido de pimiento H92, capaces de mantener la actividad fotosintética a largo plazo en estrés hídrico. Este rol de la prolina en la tolerancia a estrés hídrico a largo plazo no se observó a corto plazo y podría ser una estrategia tardía. La respuesta al estrés hídrico a corto plazo incluye la regulación del movimiento estomático en NIBER® en la fase inicial de estrés (5 h), evitando el cierre estomático hasta las 48 h mediante cambios en la expresión génica de reguladores negativos de ABA y acuaporinas, seguido del cierre estomático a las 48 h asociado a una síntesis previa de ABA en las raíces y transporte a las hojas. El JA también aumentó en las hojas de la variedad injertada sobre NIBER® (48 h) en estrés hídrico, y se regula por señales a larga distancia desde la raíz, que promueven la síntesis en hoja y el transporte a la raíz, y su resíntesis. El JA está implicado en el cierre estomático y la señalización en estrés, causando la activación de factores de transcripción de respuesta a la deshidratación. En las raíces de NIBER® el ratio auxinas/citoquininas se regula en la respuesta inicial al estrés hídrico, favoreciendo el crecimiento de la raíz respecto al tallo a las 5 h, después aumentando las citoquininas y disminuyendo las auxinas a 24 h y finalmente aumentando las auxinas y reduciendo las citoquininas para una mayor biomasa radicular y capacidad exploratoria. En las hojas de la variedad injertada, NIBER® aumenta los metabolitos protectores clorofila a, ácido esteárico, antocianinas y metabolitos implicados en la síntesis de suberina y cutina. Estos últimos también aumentan en la raíz y tienen un papel antioxidante o bien como constituyentes de barreras celulares controlando los flujos de agua, gases y solutos. Finalmente, el contenido en sirohemo aumenta en la raíz y posiblemente está relacionado con una asimilación del nitrógeno más eficiente. / [CA] Prèviament, investigadors de l'Institut Valencià d'Investigacions Agràries (IVIA) i de la Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) avaluaren la resposta a estrés hídric en pebrera empeltada per obtenir patrons de pebrera que conferisquen tolerància a la varietat empeltada en estrés hídric. Els millors patrons s'estudien al camp en condicions d'estrés hídric a llarg termini. Es va patentar el patró híbrid de pebrera NIBER® com a patró tolerant, les plants empeltades sobre NIBER® mostraren menor impacte en la biomassa i el rendiment en condicions de dèficit hídric. La tolerància de NIBER® es va atribuir al manteniment de l'activitat fotosintètica i a una millor distribució de la biomassa radicular en estrés hídric. A més, la resposta sostinguda de tolerància observada a les plantes empeltades sobre NIBER® podria relacionar-se amb una resposta ràpida a la fase inicial en estrés hídric, que no s'ha estudiat a curt termini. Així, estudiar la contribució de la resposta a curt termini de NIBER® sobre la tolerància de la varietat empeltada en estrés hídric aclariria els mecanismes de tolerància en plantes empeltades de pebrera. A més, estudiar la modulació gènica, el balanç hormonal i el perfil metabòlic ampliaria el coneixement sobre els mecanismes moleculars en la resposta a estrés hídric. En aquesta tesi doctoral comprovarem que els mecanismes constitutius en absència d'estrés hídric influeixen en la resposta a estrés hídric en plantes empeltades de pebrera i que les estratègies constitutives de NIBER® inclouen l'estimulació del sistema antioxidant i la inducció sostinguda d'ABA. En estrés hídric, les arrels de NIBER® mostraren menor impacte en comparació amb A10, amb un menor contingut de GSSG per menor dany oxidatiu. NIBER® promou la síntesis d'osmòlits a les arrels i de vitamina B6 a les fulles de la varietat empeltada per a protegir a l'aparell fotosintètic del dany oxidatiu per l'estrés hídric. A més, la prolina, implicada en la protecció de l'aparell fotosintètic, s'acumula a les plantes empeltades sobre l'híbrid de pebrera H92, que mantenen l'activitat fotosintètica en condicions d'estrés hídric a llarg termini. Aquest paper de la prolina no es va observar en condicions d'estrés hídric a curt termini i podria ser una estratègia tardana. Les respostes a l'estrés hídric a curt termini inclouen la regulació del moviment estomàtic en NIBER® a la fase inicial d'estrés hídric (5 h), evitant el tancament estomàtic fins a les 48 h mitjançant canvis a l'expressió gènica de reguladors negatius d'ABA i acuaporines, seguit d'un tancament estomàtic a les 48 h associat a una síntesis prèvia d'ABA a les arrels i transport a les fulles. L'JA també va augmentar a les fulles de la varietat empeltada sobre NIBER® a les 48 h en estrés hídric i està regulat per senyals a llarga distància des de les arrels que promouen la síntesis a les fulles i el transport a les arrels i resíntesi. L'JA està implicat al tancament estomàtic i la senyalització en condicions d'estrés, promovent l'activació de factors de transcripció de resposta a la deshidratació. El rati auxines/citoquinines es regula a les arrels de NIBER® a la resposta inicial a l'estrés hídric, primer afavorint el creixement de l'arrel sobre el creixement de la part aèria a les 5 h, després augmentant les citoquinines i disminuint les auxines a les 24 h i finalment augmentant les auxines i reduint les citoquinines per obtenir major biomassa radicular i capacitat exploratòria. A les fulles de la varietat empeltada, NIBER® augmenta el contingut dels metabòlits protectors clorofil·la a, àcid esteàric, antocianines i metabòlits relacionats amb la síntesi de suberina i cutina. Aquests últims també augmenten a les arrels i tenen un paper antioxidant o actuen com a constituents de barreres cel·lulars controlant els fluxos d'aigua, gasos i soluts. Finalment, el contingut en siroheme augmenta a les arrels i possiblement està relacionat amb una assimilació de nitrogen més eficient. / [EN] Previously, research groups at the Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA) and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) evaluated the water stress responses in grafted pepper plants to obtain tolerant pepper rootstocks that make the grafted variety able to overcome water stress. The best rootstocks are studied in the field under long-term water stress conditions. In this way, the NIBER® pepper hybrid rootstock was obtained and patented as water stress-tolerant rootstock, because plants grafted onto NIBER® had a lower impact on biomass and yield under long-term deficit irrigation conditions. NIBER® tolerance response was attributed to sustained photosynthetic activity and improved root biomass distribution under long-term water stress. However, the sustained tolerance response observed in plants grafted onto NIBER® may be linked to prompt responses in the early phase of water stress conditions, but the short-term modulation and behavior of NIBER® water stress response has not been studied. Hence, studying the contribution of the NIBER® short-term water stress responses to tolerance in the grafted variety would shed light into tolerance mechanisms in grafted pepper plants. Moreover, understanding the modulation of the gene expression, phytohormones balance and metabolic profile will also broad the knowledge on the molecular mechanisms implicated in water stress response. In the present doctoral thesis, we stated that the constitutive mechanisms taking place under non-water stress conditions dispose the response to water stress in grafted pepper plants, and NIBER® constitutive strategies include an enhanced ROS detoxification system and maintained ABA induction. When the water stress comes into play, its impact was minor in NIBER® roots in relation to A10 roots, which is reflected in lesser GSSG content from lower oxidative damage. NIBER® promotes the synthesis of osmolytes in roots and vitamin B6 in the grafted variety leaves to protect the plants from the oxidative damage resulting from water stress. Moreover, proline has a role in photosynthetic apparatus protection, because it is accumulated in plants grafted onto pepper hybrid H92, which showed sustained photosynthetic activity under long-term water stress conditions. The proline role in water stress tolerance is not observed under short-term water stress and may constitute a late strategy in grafted pepper plants. Short-term responses to water stress include stomatal movements in NIBER® during early phases (5h) of water stress, starting with the avoidance of stomatal closure up to 48 h by gene expression changes in ABA negative regulators and aquaporins, and followed by stomatal closure at 48 h associated with previous ABA synthesis in roots and transport to leaves. JA is also increased in the leaves of the variety grafted onto NIBER® at 48 h under water stress, and is regulated by long-distance signals from roots that promote its synthesis on leaves and transport to roots and resynthesis. JA is involved in stomatal closure and stress signaling, which leads to dehydration-responsive transcription factors activation. The auxins/cytokinins ratio is also fine-tuned by NIBER® roots during the early water stress response, beginning with promotion of root over shoot growth at 5 h, then increases the cytokinins and reduces the auxins content at 24 h, and finally increases the auxins and reduces the cytokinins content to obtain higher root biomass and greater water exploring ability. In the leaves of the grafted variety, NIBER® increases protective metabolites as chlorophyll a, stearic acid, anthocyanins and suberin and cutin biosynthesis-related metabolites, being the latter also increased in the roots. The mentioned metabolites have an antioxidant role or act as cellular barrier constituents that can control fluxes of water, gases and solutes. Lastly, siroheme increases in roots and it is possibly linked to a more effective nitrogen assimilation. / Padilla Herrero, YG. (2023). Study of the Physiological, Metabolomic and Transcriptional Changes Mediated by Rootstocks to Explain the Water Stress Tolerance of Grafted Pepper Plants [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/199992 / Compendio

A seguito degli scenari imposti dal cambio climatico il miglioramento dell’efficienza di uso dell’acqua (WUE) delle colture sono divenuti obiettivi fondamentali da perseguire. Il seguente studio pone al centro la WUE come parametro fisiologico cardine nella definizione del comportamento della vite in caso di riduzione della disponibilità idrica e si pone come obiettivo di valutarne le diverse forme di espressione, per individuare quale di queste sia meglio correlata alle performance delle varietà considerate, al fine di ottenere dati oggettivi che consentano di derivare consigli per la messa a punto di una più idonea tecnica irrigua. Nel triennio è stata valutata la risposta fisiologica di Sangiovese e Montepulciano, sottoposti a stress idrico di differente intensità in fasi fenologiche diverse. Inoltre, sono state saggiate le potenzialità genetiche della vite in condizioni di limitata disponibilità idrica attraverso il confronto delle performance di viti di Sangiovese innestate su due diversi portinnesti, ovvero confrontando un genotipo tradizionalmente sensibile, SO4, con uno selezionato in funzione della resistenza allo stress idrico, ovvero M4. Tutte le ricerche sono state condotte implementando apparati di misura innovativi che hanno permesso di ottenere la stima dell’efficienza di uso dell’acqua dell’intera chioma per la durata complessiva di ciascuna prova, poi confrontata con le forme più usuali di espressione di questo parametro fisiologico. Il lavoro rimette in discussione la metodologia e le deduzioni che si possono trarre da determinazioni di WUE condotte su singola foglia che, nella grande maggioranza dei casi, non hanno trovato corrispondenza nelle misure che hanno interessato l’intera chioma. / Within the current climate change scenario, the optimization of irrigation water use in vineyards by improving its water use efficiency (WUE) is a core subject of interest to assure sustainability in viticulture. The following research focuses on the physiological parameter WUE as pivotal in defining the behavior of grapevine under water stress. The aim is to assess the various forms of expression of the parameter, to identify which of these better correlates to the performance of the considered varieties, in order to obtain objective data and to derive recommendations for a more suitable irrigation technique. Over three years we evaluated physiological responses of Sangiovese and Montepulciano vines subjected to progressive water deficit either pre and post-veraison. Moreover, the genetic potential of grapevine under conditions of limited water availability was tested through the comparison of the performance of Sangiovese vines grafted on two different rootstocks; SO4, a traditional susceptible genotype and M4, a recently selected scion supposed to be tolerant to water stress. During the research we also designed, implemented and tested an innovative apparatus able to run automated water deficit experiments and to concurrently monitor whole canopy even for a season long time frame. These measurements were compared to traditional single leaf readings and a general conclusion was that, in most cases, single leaf WUE assessment did not match with the measures obtained from the whole canopy enclosure system.

Dans le contexte de raréfaction de la ressource en eau, il est nécessaire de prendre en compte le caractère de tolérance à la sécheresse dans les programmes d’amélioration variétale, en particulier pour les porte-greffes de vigne. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’analyser, à l’échelle de la plante entière, le déterminisme génétique des effets du porte-greffe sur les réponses de la tranpiration et de la croissance, au niveau de la partie aérienne, en conditions de déficit hydrique édaphique. L’étude de ces caractères complexes, soumis à une forte interaction génotype × environnement, a été conduite à partir d’une approche de génétique quantitative où ces interactions ont été intégrées par deux approches : l’utilisation des paramètres de courbes de réponses comme caractère quantitatif et la mise en oeuvre d’une analyse QTL pluriannuelle. Une population de type F1, issu du croisement Vitis vinifera Cabernet Sauvignon × Vitis riparia Gloire de Montpellier, constituée de 138 individus, a été cartographiée génétiquement avec des marqueurs microsatellites. Cette descendance a été ensuite phénotypée en position de porte-greffe, avec un greffon unique. A partir de cet outil, des QTL ont été recherchés et identifiés pour la transpiration, l’efficience d’utilisation de l’eau et la plasticité de la transpiration induite par le porte-greffe, ainsi que pour plusieurs paramètres de la croissance et de l’allocation de la biomasse au sein de la plante entière. La plasticité de la transpiration réponse à l’état hydrique du substrat est déterminée génétiquement par des régions distinctes des autres caractères descriptifs de la consommation en eau. La colocalisation de gènes candidats dans les intervalles de confiance des QTL, impliqués dans la signalisation chimique (ABA) ou hydraulique (aquaporines) permet de formuler des hypothèses sur la signalisation porte-greffe/ greffon en condition de déficit hydrique. Des régions spécifiques du génome paraissent contrôler la croissance et la vigueur conférée par le porte-greffe en conditions de déficit hydrique. Ces régions sont également indépendantes de celles contrôlant la transpiration ou l’efficience d’utilisation de l’eau. Ce résultat permet d’envisager un travail de sélection pour ces deux catégories de caractères de manière indépendante / In the water scarcity context with the global climate change, drought tolerance must be taken into account in crop genetic improvement program, particularly for grapevine rootstocks. The objective of this thesis was to analyse at the whole plant level, the genetic determinism of rootstock effect on the transpiration and growth of the scion, under edaphic water deficit conditions. The study of these complex traits, submitted to a strong genotype × environment interaction, was performed with a quantitative genetic approach. Genotype × environment interactions were integrated with two methods: first, using response curve to an environmental variable for detecting QTL, and secondly, to combine data in a multi-environment QTL analysis. The pedigree population consisted of 138 F1 individuals derived from the interspecific cross of Vitis vinifera Cabernet Sauvignon × Vitis riparia Gloire de Montpellier. This family was mapped with single sequence repeats (SSR) markers. This population was assessed as rootstock, so every genotype was grafted with the same scion. Then, QTL were detected for transpiration, water use efficiency and transpiration plasticity induced by rootstock, and for growth and biomass allocation inside the whole plant. Transpiration plasticity was represented as a function of substrate water status and was genetically determined with distinct genome regions from the other traits related to water consumption. Candidate genes involved in hormonal (ABA) or hydraulic (aquaporins) signaling between rootstock and scion, under water deficit conditions, were localized in the QTL confidence interval. Some specific genome regions were involved in growth and confered vigour genetic determinism under water deficit conditions. These regions were also different from those identified for transpiration or water use efficiency. This result allows a further selection process for these two traits groups independently.

A hibridação somática é uma nova opção em programas de melhoramento de espécies cítricas, obtendo-se híbridos somáticos que podem manter integralmente a combinação genética de ambos os progenitores envolvidos na hibridação. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar a propagação e crescimento de combinações parentais de híbridos somáticos com potencial para serem utilizados como porta-enxertos e verificar possíveis resistências/tolerâncias à infecção de tronco e raízes por Phytophthora nicotianae e ao vírus da tristeza dos citros (CTV). Os híbridos somáticos utilizados nos trabalhos foram: limão 'Cravo' + laranja azeda, laranja 'Caipira' + limão 'Cravo', laranja 'Caipira' + tangerina 'Cleópatra', laranja 'Caipira' + limão 'Volkameriano', laranja 'Caipira' + limão 'Rugoso', tangerina 'Cleópatra' + limão 'Volkameriano', tangerina 'Cleópatra' + laranja azeda, limão 'Cravo' + tangerina 'Sunki', laranja 'Ruby Blood' + limão 'Volkameriano', laranja 'Rohde Red' + limão 'Volkameriano' e laranja 'Valência' + Fortunella obovata. Na propagação dos híbridos, estacas de 15 cm de comprimento foram retiradas de plantas matrizes dos respectivos híbridos somáticos e submetidas ao enraizamento em câmara de nebulização intermitente por 100 dias. Posteriormente, foram analisadas o sistema radicular das estacas e parte aérea. Em seguida, foram transplantadas para sacos plásticos, conduzidas em haste única e mantidas em casa-de-vegetação por 210 dias, realizando-se avaliações mensais em relação à parte aérea e ao final avaliações do sistema radicular. Para os ensaios de infecção por Phytophthora nicotianae e CTV, foram utilizadas mudas dos respectivos híbridos somáticos oriundos de estacas e ainda a inclusão de plantas testemunhas. Para os testes de resistência/tolerância a P. nicotianae, utilizou-se o método da agulha para o teste de infecção de tronco, sendo as lesões quantificadas após 25 dias da inoculação. Para o teste de podridão das raízes e radicelas, o substrato foi infectado com estruturas do patógeno, sendo analisados a parte aérea das plantas quinzenalmente e o sistema radicular após 60 dias da instalação do ensaio. Para o teste de tolerância dos híbridos somáticos ao CTV, adotou-se o método de união dos tecidos (enxertia), analisando-se a parte aérea das plantas mensalmente em três avaliações. No enraizamento das estacas, os híbridos laranja 'Caipira' + tangerina 'Cleópatra', laranja 'Caipira' + limão 'Volkameriano', limão 'Cravo' + tangerina 'Sunki' e laranja 'Rohde Red' + limão 'Volkameriano' apresentaram melhores resultados, sendo que os híbridos laranja 'Caipira' + limão 'Volkameriano' e laranja 'Rohde Red' + limão 'Volkameriano' se destacaram em relação ao desenvolvimento das estacas após o tranplantio. Os híbridos somáticos tangerina 'Cleópatra' + laranja azeda, limão 'Cravo' + tangerina 'Sunki', tangerina 'Cleópatra' + limão 'Volkameriano', laranja 'Ruby Blood' + limão 'Volkameriano', laranja 'Rohde Red' + limão 'Volkameriano' e laranja 'Caipira' + limão 'Volkameriano' apresentaram bons resultados em relação à redução da podridão do tronco e os híbridos somáticos tangerina 'Cleópatra' + limão 'Volkameriano', tangerina 'Cleópatra' + laranja azeda, laranja 'Caipira' + limão 'Volkameriano' e laranja 'Caipira' + limão 'Cravo' apresentaram tolerância a podridão das raízes e radicelas ocasionado por P. nicotianae. Os híbridos tangerina 'Cleópatra' + laranja azeda e laranja 'Valência' + Fortunella obovata apresentaram intolerância ao vírus da tristeza dos citros. / Somatic hybridization is a new alternative in citric species breeding, yielding somatic hybrids which may integrally keep the genetic combination of both progenitors involved in the hybridization. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the propagation and growth of somatic hybrids parental combinations with potential to be used as rootstock and to verify possible resistance/tolerance to trunk and roots infection by Phytophthora nicotianae and citrus tristeza virus (CTV). This work applied the following somatic hybrids: 'Cravo' lemon + sour orange, 'Caipira' orange + 'Cravo' lemon, 'Caipira' orange + 'Cleopatra' tangerine, 'Caipira' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon, 'Caipira' orange + 'Rough' lemon, 'Cleopatra' tangerine + 'Volkamerian' lemon, 'Cleopatra' tangerine + sour orange, 'Cravo' lemon + 'Sunki' tangerine, 'Ruby Blood' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon, 'Rohde Red' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon and 'Valência' orange + Fortunella obovata. In hybrids propagation, stem cuttings of approximately 15 cm length were excised from matrix plants of respective somatic hybrids and submmited to rooting in intermitent nebulization chamber for 100 days. Later, the stem cuttings root system and air part were analyzed. In sequence, they were transplanted to plastic bags, conduced in only one hast and kept in greenhouse during 210 days, when monthly evaluations were performed concerning the air part and, in the end, root system evaluations. For the Phytophthora nicotianae and CTV infection essays, plants derived from the respective somatic hybrids originated from stem cuttings were used, as well as control plants. For the resistance/tolerance to P. nicotianae analysis, the needle method for the trunk infection test was applied, being the lesions quantified after 25 days post-inoculation. For the roots and radicels flashening test, substrate was infected with pathogen structures and the air part of the plants was analyzed at every 15 days; roots were analyzed 60 days after the essay implementation. To evaluate the somatic hybrids tolerance to CTV, it was adopted the method of tissues union (grafting), where the air part of the plants was analyzed once a month in three evaluations. On the stem cuttings rooting, the hybrids of 'Caipira' orange + 'Cleopatra' tangerine, 'Caipira' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon, 'Cravo' lemon + 'Sunki' tangerine and 'Rohde Red' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon presented the best results, with the hybrids of 'Caipira' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon and 'Rohde Red' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon being the top concerning the stem cuttings development after transplanting. The somatic hybrids of 'Cleopatra' tangerine + sour orange, 'Cravo' lemon + 'Sunki' tangerine, 'Cleopatra' tangerine + 'Volkamerian' lemon, 'Ruby Blood' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon, 'Rohde Red' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon and 'Caipira' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon showed good results related to reducing the trunk flashening, and the somatic hybrids of 'Cleopatra' tangerine + 'Volkamerian' lemon, 'Cleopatra' tangerine + sour orange, 'Caipira' orange + 'Volkamerian' lemon and 'Caipira' orange + 'Cravo' lemon presented tolerance to roots and radicels flashening caused by P. nicotianae. The hybrids of 'Cleopatra' tangerine + sour orange and 'Valência' orange + Fortunella obovata showed to be intolerant to citrus tristeza virus.

Dans le contexte de changement climatique, la compréhension des mécanismes régissant les pertes en eau de la vigne peut permettre d'adapter le matériel végétal pour maintenir la productivité de la vigne et la qualité du vin. L'adaptation à la sécheresse est un caractère complexe faisant intervenir des mécanismes physiologiques liés aux génotypes du greffon et du porte-greffe. Mais les effets du porte-greffe sur la régulation stomatique du greffon sont mal connus. La production par les racines de signaux chimiques tels que l'ABA et/ou hydraulique pourraient y contribuer. La réponse physiologique et moléculaire à la contrainte hydrique a été analysée sur de jeunes boutures pour 7 porte-greffes plus ou moins adaptés à la sécheresse et 2 cépages connus pour leur caractère iso ou anisohydrique. Puis 23 combinaisons greffon/porte-greffe issues de ces génotypes ont été étudiées. Une analyse métabolique sur l'accumulation de l'ABA et ses dérivés a été menée sur feuilles, racines et dans la sève xylémienne. Ces informations ont été couplées à des analyses transcriptomiques sur des gènes du métabolisme et de la signalisation de ABA, et codant des aquaporines de type PIP. L‘analyse conjointe des données physiologiques, métabolomiques et transcriptomiques ont permis d'identifier des composants moléculaires discriminant les porte-greffes selon leur fond génétique et leur adaptation à la sécheresse. Les réponses globales à la contrainte hydrique sont mieux coordonnées au sein d‘un même tissu qu‘entre racines et feuilles. A l‘échelle de la plante greffée, une prépondérance du signal hydraulique est probable. Certains gènes répondent spécifiquement aux interactions greffon/porte-greffe. / In the context of climate change, understanding the mechanisms governing the water loss of the vine is necessary to adapt the plant material to maintain the productivity of the vine and wine quality. The adaptation to drought is a complex trait involving physiological mechanisms related to scion and rootstock genotypes. But the effects of the rootstock on stomatal regulation graft are still unknown. Production by roots of chemical signals such as ABA and / or hydraulic ones be involved. Molecular and physiological responses to water stress were analyzed on young cuttings for 7 rootstocks more or less adapted to drought and 2 varieties known for their iso or anisohydric behaviour. Then 23 combinations scion / rootstock from these genotypes were investigated. Metabolic analyses for ABA and its derivatives was conducted in leaves, roots and in the xylem sap. The information was integrated with transcriptomic analyzes for genes involved in ABA metabolism and signaling, and encoding PIP aquaporins. Joint analyses of physiological data, metabolomic and transcriptomic allow the identification of the molecular components discriminating rootstocks according to their genetic background and their adaptation to drought. Global responses to water stress are better coordinated within the same tissue between roots and leaves. At the scale of the grafted plant, a preponderance of the hydraulic signal is likely. Some genes specifically respond to the scion / rootstock interactions.

The influence of rootstock and canopy density on grape berry composition was investigated over the summer of 2003-2004 on a commercial vineyard at Waipara, North Canterbury. This experiment was designed to investigate the influence of rootstock and canopy density on the acid composition, potassium (K) content and final pH of harvested fruit (Pinot Noir AM 10/5 Lincoln Selection). The trial block consisted of eight rootstocks laid out to an 8 x 8 latin square, each plot consisting of five vines of the same rootstock. Two canopy treatments were overlaid the block (down whole rows, assigned randomly, four rows to each treatment); one treatment allowed to grow naturally, in the other treatment the canopy was thinned removing double burst shoots and laterals. The bunch numbers were adjusted in the Unthinned canopy treatment (UCT) to match the Thinned canopy treatment (TCT). Information was gathered to assess: the canopy size and density (Pinot Quadrat Leaf Layer and Percent Gaps and canopy porosity), the plant yield (and berry size, berries per cluster, cluster weight, clusters per plant), plant K levels at flowering and veraison (from petioles and leaf blades) and berry composition at harvest (soluble solids (as brix), K, titratable acidity (TA), tartaric acid concentration, malic acid concentration and pH). The trial area was non-irrigated on clay loam soils and viticultural management was to best commercial practice. It was found that although rootstock influenced the levels of K in the plant and in the juice at harvest, the level of K in the juice did not influence pH in this experiment (range of rootstock juice K: 808 ppm to 928 ppm, l.s.d. = 75 ppm). The level of tartaric acid concentration in the juice was found to be the dominant influence on the level of pH in this experiment (rootstock pH range: 3.21 to 3.39, l.s.d. = 0.05). The juice concentration of tartaric acid was influenced by both rootstock (rootstock range 4.0 to 4.7 g/L, l.s.d = 0.4) and canopy density (UCT = 4.1, TCT = 4.7, l.s.d. = 0.4), decreased shading positively increasing the level of tartaric acid. The malic acid concentration in the juice was positively influenced by increasing canopy density (UCT = 4.7 g/L, TCT = 4.1 g/L, l.s.d = 0.4) and this played a minor role in the determination of pH in this experiment; an influence of rootstock on the level of malic acid concentration was found. The malic acid concentration strongly influenced the determination of TA (UCT = 11.0 g/L, TCT = 10.2 g/L, l.s.d = 0.5); tartaric acid concentration had a minor influence on the recorded TA. Attempts to characterise the influence of rootstock on malic acid, tartaric acid and pH were inconclusive. Rootstock was found to influence the canopy variables measured in this experiment and the recorded average plant yield. Crosses of Vitis rupestris were found to exhibit the most canopy vigour and those derived from Vitis berlandieri and Vitis riparia the least. The Canopy treatment did not show an influence over yield but the rootstock was found to influence plant yield, through the numbers of berries set in a cluster and the final harvest cluster weight. The influence of rootstock on pH may be described by the influence it exerts on canopy growth and yield but this was thought unlikely. Further research is required to describe the nature of the rootstock influence on K, malic acid, tartaric acid and pH.