The use of "in vitro" culture and tubular container system to propagate selected grapevine plants for sherry wine production

Abstract

The combination 161–49 Riparia x Berlandieri (rootstock) and the cultivar "Palomino Fino" is the most largely cultivated in the Jerez zone to produce Pale-Fine Sherry wine.

The clonal selection of these plants took place in collaboration with, P. Domecq, S.A. Four farms belonging and representative of Jerez-Xéres-Sherry origin denomination zone, were chosen. From 1968 to 1977, according to the production (Kg/plant) and must quality (pH, sugars, acidity, total amino-acids, polyphenols, malic, tartaric and citric acids) the 25 best plants of each farm were selected. Then, 10 scions/plant were grafted on 161–49, and planted together in homogeneous conditions, to continue the selection, having actually 12 selected clones. Cuttings from these clones, rootstock and cultivar, were propagated by tubular container system (Pat. n° 521533). From the very vigorous new shoots formed on the cuttings, explants (0.3–0.5 mm) were taken to be propagated in vitro. With this material, contaminated was clearly decreased. Different conditions and media were compared in the multiplication's stage, best was a modified Anderson medium. There were important troubles with the stage of transplanting, was difficult and expensive to adapt plants to outside conditions. Very good results were obtained rooting "in vivo" plantlets from "in vitro".