Abstract
Grafted plants are the result of the combination of a rootstock and a scion with their bidirectional
interactions. In the case of grapevine, grafting is used to face phylloxera since its arrival at Europe, using
species and hybrids which show resistance to this aphid. Grafting can also help solving other constrains
that are consequence of climate change. The erratic precipitations and the high temperatures are
increasing drought stress, and also producing, in many grapevine growing areas, a decrease in grape
quality by a decoupled technological and phenolic maturity. Among the most commonly used rootstocks
differences for drought stress adaptation have been reported. However, a further characterization is
needed for the selection of those most appropriate to mitigate this scenario in the affected areas. The
goal of our research is to compare different rootstocks¿scion combinations using common rootstocks,
and as scions, clones of Muscat of Alexandria selected at La Marina Alta (Alicante, Spain). This variety is
used as a table grape and wine making vine, and it is worldwide distributed. Nine rootstock combinations
growing under rain¿fed conditions were compared from 2017 to 2019, and differences for vigour,
ripening, and some quality parameters were found. Clones also differed for berry and bunch¿s traits. An
in deep characterization of these materials (study of the water use efficiency, stomata and xylem
characteristics, further study of fruit quality, etc.) is being performed in the context of the VIMOSEC
project (CIAICO/2021/118 grant funded by the Generalitat Valenciana). The effect of early and late
pruning is being also compared. These investigations will get knowledge of the performance of these
combination along the time, and help us to understand adaptability to these growing conditions and to
select those more suitable.
