Vine Propagation

Question 1

Describe cuttings and their uses.

Answer 1

-Section of a vine shoot planted then grown as new plant.
-Many cuttings taken from vine and propagated at same time.
-Can use rootstocks and grafted before planted.
Nurseries can treat- avoid diseases.
Genetically identical to parent plant- same characteristics.

Question 2

Describe the process of grafting

Answer 2

-Method of filling gaps in VY (due to vine death).
- Use shoots from established neighbouring vine to produce new vine.
- Cane bent down and buried in ground. Buried section takes root, then is cut from original plant.
Grows on own roots- not always suitable- no protection against phylloxera.
- Genetically identical to parent plant- same characteristics.

Question 3

What is clonal selection?

Answer 3

Vines with favourable characteristics selected by cuttings to create new vines with favourable characteristics.

Question 4

What are the advantages of clonal selection?

Answer 4

Favourable characteristics, vines grow and ripen in uniform- easier to manage in VY.

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of clonal selection?

Answer 5

Lack of diversity- less complexity and balance in wine.
More susceptible to diseases

Question 6

Which clone describes low yielding, small grapes, high quality

Answer 6

Pinot Noir 115

Question 7

Which clone describes high yielding, big grapes, better suited to sparkling wines

Answer 7

Pinot Noir 521

Question 8

What is mass selection?

Answer 8

Vineyard owners take cuttings from own vines and cultivate. Best performing vines chosen after many years monitoring.

Question 9

What are the advantages of mass selection?

Answer 9

More diversity in vineyard and region.
Using own planting material- enhance fruit quality and yield= marketing asset.

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of mass selcection?

Answer 10

Monitoring the vines cost in terms of time and labour.
If the parent vine is diseased, likely the new vines will have it- spread of disease.

Question 11

What is cross fertilisation?

Answer 11

Pollen from stamen of one vine flower, transferred to stigma of flowers of another vine- fertilistaion occurs.
Grapes develop and seeds from these vines planted and grown.
Have slightly different characteristcs from parent vines- like siblings.
If has favourable characteristics- cuttings to make identical vines.

Question 12

Define a cross and give an example

Answer 12

When 2 parents of a vine come from the same species (eg both from v. vinifera)- pinotage is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault.

Question 13

Define a hybrid and give an example

Answer 13

When 2 parents vines come from different species. Eg Vidal blanc is a hybrid of ugni blanc (v. vinifera) and Seibel family (American).