Project Number: 1910-21220-004-02
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Feb 01, 2004
End Date: Jan 31, 2009

Objective:
To breed, evaluate, and introduce rootstocks that are resistant to aggressive root-knot nematodes, resulting in improved varieties with adaptation to California viticulture. To achieve this objective, we will evaluate the root-knot nematode resistance of 9,000 grape rootstock seedlings and select resistant seedlings for advancement to the field.

Approach:
Screen seedlings and identify those plants resistant to aggressive root-knot nematodes. In screening 9,000 seedlings, our target is to screen about 100 seedlings per cross. Evaluate nematode resistance six weeks after inoculation. Discard seedlings showing visible galls once we have washed the soil from the roots. Stain those root systems that do not have galls in an eosin-Y solution. Eliminate the seedling if even one egg mass is visible upon inspection. Propagate selected seedlings using green cuttings in a mist bed.