PLANTAVID Project: Development of a grapevine plant resistant to root rot
Root rot, mainly caused by the soil fungus Armillaria mellea, is responsible for the death of vines in a high percentage of vineyards, especially in the Rías Baixas and Ribeiro Designations of Origin. The incidence of this disease has been increasing due to the intensification of vineyard plantations in forest areas and the replanting of old vineyards. Currently, there is no effective treatment to combat it.
The Direct Producer Hybrid (DPH) “Folla Redonda” is known for its resistance to Armillaria mellea, and it is traditionally used in the region for the production of the homemade wine ‘Tinto Barrantes’.
The objective of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of different grafted plant production methods, comparing bare-root and potted plants using omega and English grafting techniques both in the nursery and in the field. In addition, its compatibility with native grape varieties and its response to key factors such as resistance to Armillaria, sensitivity to phylloxera, nematodes, pH, water stress, and potassium absorption were studied. All of this aimed at establishing a protocol for producing grapevine plants resistant to Armillaria by legalizing “Folla Redonda” as a rootstock and highlighting its adaptability to native grapevines and Galician soils.
The results obtained were not promising in terms of resistance to Armillaria mellea, as its roots showed a susceptibility similar to that of other authorized rootstocks. However, the study demonstrated that “Folla Redonda” presents remarkable characteristics for potential use, such as its resistance to nematodes, excellent response to water stress—making it suitable for climate change conditions—and good adaptation to acidic soils with low water retention. It also showed a notable potassium absorption capacity, a key factor for crop quality.
The project was carried out between May 2022 and November 2024, with a total budget of €179,917.41, fully funded by a grant. Paco & Lola participates in the project with a budget of €38,855.00, along with Viveros López Vid SL, which leads the initiative, and the entities Viña Costeira SCG and the Estación de Viticultura e Enoloxía de Galicia (EVEGA – AGACAL).
