Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » East Lansing, Michigan » Sugarbeet and Bean Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #395281
Research Project: Genetic Characterization for Sugar Beet Improvement

Location: Sugarbeet and Bean Research

Title: Cultivar and maternal plant environment influence cold stratification requirements and germination rates in Vitis species

Author
item ALZOHAIRY, SAFA - Michigan State University
item LONDO, JASON - Cornell University
item Heinitz, Claire
item Naegele, Rachel

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/10/2023
Publication Date: 5/5/2023
Citation: Alzohairy, S., Londo, J., Heinitz, C.C., Naegele, R.P. 2023. Cultivar and maternal plant environment influence cold stratification requirements and germination rates in Vitis species. HortScience. 58(5):515-524. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17002-22.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17002-22

Interpretive Summary: Grape seeds require an extended period of cold exposure (aka chilling) before they can germinate, even when growing conditions are favorable. In this project we explored the variability in cold exposure times needed for seed from different grape cultivars to germinate. We compare differences based on cultivar, environment of the maternal plant (e.g. location), and species. We found large variability in chilling requirements for seeds to germinate, with some hybrid cultivars requiring far fewer hours of cold exposure than common Vitis vinifera. On hybrid cultivar, 'Salamander', required no chilling in order to germinate. Maternal environment also played a role in seed weight and total germination, but seemed to have little effect on chilling requirement.

Technical Abstract: Open-pollinated seed from grapevines in Parlier and Davis (California) and Geneva (New York) were collected in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Seed were subjected to a series of cold stratification treatments of varying lengths and germinated in incubators to compare germination rates. Two V. vinifera cultivars (Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon) and three other cultivars (V. labrusca hybrids) with a similar genetic background were compared across three locations to test for maternal environmental effects on germination rates under different cold stratification durations. Two interspecific-hybrids (‘Salamander’ and ‘Sovereign Rose’) and three genotypes each from two species, V. riparia and V. cinerea, were evaluated to compare germination rate variability at different cold stratification durations among and within species and hybrids. Large variability in germination rates was evident among and within grape species, with some accessions requiring little to no cold stratification, and others requiring 10-12 weeks. Maternal plant environment impacted seed weight and total seed germination across years and locations.