Rooting and carbohydrate availability in Vitis 140 Ruggeri stem cuttings

Rooting in Vitis 140 Ruggeri rootstock appears to be correlated to the availability of soluble carbohydrates in the cuttings. This relationship was verified using stem cuttings collected from December to April by comparing those propagated after cold storage (C) with those collected directly in the field (F). The basal end of some of the cuttings of both groups (C and F) were dipped into deionized water before propagation (CW and FW). The mobilization of soluble carbohydrates paralleled with the pattern of the rooting process. In the cold stored material, rooting took place earlier than in the field material. The mobilization of soluble carbohydrates occurred at two stages: during the storage period at 2 °C (50% if compared with the cuttings collected in the field) and during the first 20 d of rooting. On day 20, the carbohydrate content was reduced by 80%. Rooting and carbohydrate availability appear to be associated