Background and Aims Generally, grapevine roots have been less studied than the above‐ground parts of the plant. Here we analyse scion–rootstock interactions in mature vines growing in a heavy clay soil in a climate characterised by severe summer drought to investigate the effect of the scion–rootstock interaction in a suboptimal soil. Methods and Results The rootstocks, 34 Ecole de Montpellier, 140 Ruggeri and 1103 Paulsen, were grafted onto Nerello Mascalese and Nero d'Avola scions and assessed along with self‐rooted vines. Root distribution and root architecture were analysed using the profile wall method at 0, 60 and 120 cm from the row midline. Root density was greatest at a depth between 21 and 60 cm. The cumulative root fraction for root density registered a β value, a numerical quantity that summarises depth distribution, ranging between 0.932 and 0.962. Root number and density were significantly lower for the self‐rooted vines compared to that of the grafted vines. Conclusions The scion genotypes affected most developmental parameters, including the diameter of the root system, the root density at 21–80 cm depth and the ratio of fine roots to coarse roots. Significance of the Study The scion plays an important role in grapevine root growth, development and distribution in a heavy clay soil, although the mechanism remains unclear.

中文翻译：

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接穗-砧木相互作用影响葡萄根系在重粘土中的生长和行为

背景和目的 一般来说，与植物地上部分相比，对葡萄根的研究较少。在这里，我们分析了在以严重夏季干旱为特征的气候中生长在重粘土土壤中的成熟葡萄藤中接穗 - 砧木相互作用，以研究接穗 - 砧木相互作用在次优土壤中的影响。方法和结果 将砧木 34 Ecole de Montpellier、140 Ruggeri 和 1103 Paulsen 嫁接到 Nerello Mascalese 和 Nero d'Avola 接穗上，并与自生葡萄藤一起进行评估。使用剖面墙法在距行中线 0、60 和 120 厘米处分析根分布和根结构。根密度在 21 到 60 厘米之间的深度最大。根密度的累积根分数记录了一个 β 值，这是一个概括深度分布的数值，范围在 0.932 和 0.962 之间。与嫁接藤蔓相比，自生藤蔓的根数和密度显着降低。结论 接穗基因型影响大部分发育参数，包括根系直径、21-80 cm深度的根密度以及细根与粗根的比例。研究意义 接穗在重粘土中对葡萄根系生长、发育和分布具有重要作用，但其机制尚不清楚。