Researchers Use Genetics to Answer Grapevine Root Questions

In South Dakota, the National Science Foundation is giving nearly $830,000 to two South Dakota State University Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science researchers to determine how grapevine root grafting to the top part of leaves, stem, fruit (called a scion, like the Toyota vehicle) affects the grapes’ characteristics and genetics. The practice of grafting a different type of root to the scion is apparently common in order to help match up a disease resistant root with a more delicate scion top. What is not known, and what researchers hope to find out, is how this grafting affects the fruits and how the genetics from the different root and scion interact with each other.