Implications of root morphology and anatomy for water deficit tolerance and recovery of grapevine rootstocks
The intensification of drought conditions due to climate change poses a major challenge to sustainable grape production. Rootstocks are essential in supporting grapevine water uptake and drought resilience; however, their physiological responses to water stress are not fully understood. Under the hy...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1541523/full |
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| author | David Alonso-Forn David Alonso-Forn Ignacio Buesa Ignacio Buesa Luis Flor Antoni Sabater Hipólito Medrano Hipólito Medrano José M. Escalona José M. Escalona |
| author_facet | David Alonso-Forn David Alonso-Forn Ignacio Buesa Ignacio Buesa Luis Flor Antoni Sabater Hipólito Medrano Hipólito Medrano José M. Escalona José M. Escalona |
| author_sort | David Alonso-Forn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The intensification of drought conditions due to climate change poses a major challenge to sustainable grape production. Rootstocks are essential in supporting grapevine water uptake and drought resilience; however, their physiological responses to water stress are not fully understood. Under the hypothesis that root morphology and anatomy may be key traits in grapevine tolerance to water deficit, this study aimed to investigate these traits across diverse rootstocks under progressive water deficit and recovery phases. Thirteen genotypes, including commercial rootstocks and recently bred RG-series and RM2, were evaluated over two seasons in controlled pot-based conditions. Plants were subjected to five distinct watering stages, from well-watered to severe drought. Root traits, such as length, density, and xylem anatomical features, were analyzed alongside stem water potential (Ψstem) to gauge plant water status. Results showed significant genotype-specific differences in root morphology and anatomy, impacting drought tolerance and recovery. Rootstocks with higher root length density (RLD) and a larger proportion of fine roots maintained Ψstem more effectively under severe drought. Additionally, smaller xylem vessel diameters and reduced xylem area relative to root cross-sectional area correlated with improved water transport efficiency and faster recovery post-drought. A trade-off emerged wherein increased root density enhanced water uptake capacity but came at the cost of reduced transport efficiency. Notably, rootstocks 420A, 41B, RM2, and Fercal displayed superior drought resilience, while the RG-series did not outperform established genotypes like 13-5 Evex, 110 Richter, and 140 Ruggeri. These results underscore the role of root morphology and anatomy in grapevine drought tolerance, suggesting that these traits could be incorporated as criteria for future rootstocks breeding programs. Nevertheless, field-testing under non-limiting soil conditions is essential to validate these findings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6d239770be1c4f928d9f0cb0c673cfdf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-6d239770be1c4f928d9f0cb0c673cfdf2025-08-20T03:42:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-03-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15415231541523Implications of root morphology and anatomy for water deficit tolerance and recovery of grapevine rootstocksDavid Alonso-Forn0David Alonso-Forn1Ignacio Buesa2Ignacio Buesa3Luis Flor4Antoni Sabater5Hipólito Medrano6Hipólito Medrano7José M. Escalona8José M. Escalona9Agro-environmental and Water Economy Research Institute, University of Balearic Islands (INAGEA-UIB), Palma, SpainResearch Group of Plant Biology Under Mediterranean Conditions, University of Balearic Islands (PlantMed-UIB), Palma, SpainResearch Group of Plant Biology Under Mediterranean Conditions, University of Balearic Islands (PlantMed-UIB), Palma, SpainDept. of Ecology and Global Change, Desertification Research Center (CIDE; CSIC-UV-GVA), Valencia, SpainAgro-environmental and Water Economy Research Institute, University of Balearic Islands (INAGEA-UIB), Palma, SpainAgro-environmental and Water Economy Research Institute, University of Balearic Islands (INAGEA-UIB), Palma, SpainAgro-environmental and Water Economy Research Institute, University of Balearic Islands (INAGEA-UIB), Palma, SpainResearch Group of Plant Biology Under Mediterranean Conditions, University of Balearic Islands (PlantMed-UIB), Palma, SpainAgro-environmental and Water Economy Research Institute, University of Balearic Islands (INAGEA-UIB), Palma, SpainResearch Group of Plant Biology Under Mediterranean Conditions, University of Balearic Islands (PlantMed-UIB), Palma, SpainThe intensification of drought conditions due to climate change poses a major challenge to sustainable grape production. Rootstocks are essential in supporting grapevine water uptake and drought resilience; however, their physiological responses to water stress are not fully understood. Under the hypothesis that root morphology and anatomy may be key traits in grapevine tolerance to water deficit, this study aimed to investigate these traits across diverse rootstocks under progressive water deficit and recovery phases. Thirteen genotypes, including commercial rootstocks and recently bred RG-series and RM2, were evaluated over two seasons in controlled pot-based conditions. Plants were subjected to five distinct watering stages, from well-watered to severe drought. Root traits, such as length, density, and xylem anatomical features, were analyzed alongside stem water potential (Ψstem) to gauge plant water status. Results showed significant genotype-specific differences in root morphology and anatomy, impacting drought tolerance and recovery. Rootstocks with higher root length density (RLD) and a larger proportion of fine roots maintained Ψstem more effectively under severe drought. Additionally, smaller xylem vessel diameters and reduced xylem area relative to root cross-sectional area correlated with improved water transport efficiency and faster recovery post-drought. A trade-off emerged wherein increased root density enhanced water uptake capacity but came at the cost of reduced transport efficiency. Notably, rootstocks 420A, 41B, RM2, and Fercal displayed superior drought resilience, while the RG-series did not outperform established genotypes like 13-5 Evex, 110 Richter, and 140 Ruggeri. These results underscore the role of root morphology and anatomy in grapevine drought tolerance, suggesting that these traits could be incorporated as criteria for future rootstocks breeding programs. Nevertheless, field-testing under non-limiting soil conditions is essential to validate these findings.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1541523/fullclimate changedroughthydraulic conductivityplant water statusroot biomassroot length density |
| spellingShingle | David Alonso-Forn David Alonso-Forn Ignacio Buesa Ignacio Buesa Luis Flor Antoni Sabater Hipólito Medrano Hipólito Medrano José M. Escalona José M. Escalona Implications of root morphology and anatomy for water deficit tolerance and recovery of grapevine rootstocks Frontiers in Plant Science climate change drought hydraulic conductivity plant water status root biomass root length density |
| title | Implications of root morphology and anatomy for water deficit tolerance and recovery of grapevine rootstocks |
| title_full | Implications of root morphology and anatomy for water deficit tolerance and recovery of grapevine rootstocks |
| title_fullStr | Implications of root morphology and anatomy for water deficit tolerance and recovery of grapevine rootstocks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implications of root morphology and anatomy for water deficit tolerance and recovery of grapevine rootstocks |
| title_short | Implications of root morphology and anatomy for water deficit tolerance and recovery of grapevine rootstocks |
| title_sort | implications of root morphology and anatomy for water deficit tolerance and recovery of grapevine rootstocks |
| topic | climate change drought hydraulic conductivity plant water status root biomass root length density |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1541523/full |
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