Effect of rootstocks on growth potential, soil properties and rhizosphere microbiome of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon

Abstract

Aims

Rootstocks are widely used in viticulture. Understanding the impact of rootstocks on the structure and function of grapevine rhizosphere microbiota is essential for manipulating them toward the sustainable development of vineyard.

Methods

We investigated the changes in biomass, soil properties, and rhizosphere microbiome after Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) grafted onto five rootstock cultivars [Kober 5BB (5BB), Richer 110 (110R), Beta, Riparia Gloire (RG) and Millardet et de Grasset 101–14 (101–14)]. The grapevines were exhumed for biomass measurements and rhizosphere soils were collected for testing the microbiome and soil properties. The rhizosphere microbiome was analysed using the 16S rRNA gene and ITS amplicon sequencing, and the functional annotations were performed using FAPROTAX and FUNGuild database.

Results

Rootstocks could selectively recruit microbial communities of specific structures, especially fungi. Rootstocks significantly affected the richness and diversity of the fungal community, while significantly altering the composition of the fungal community at the phylum level. The microbial communities associated with the different rootstocks further formed the different function profiles. The grapevine biomass and the soil minerals in the same vineyard were significantly associated with the root genotypes.

Conclusions

This study highlighted the influence of rootstocks on grapevine and soil environment. The results of this study will provide useful information for vineyard rootstock selection when the microbiological environment of the vineyard needs to be considered. At the same time, new insights into the interactions between the environment, microbiome and grapevine growth were provided.