Advances in research on the influence of rootstocks on grape growth and development, fruit quality and stress resistance

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most economically important fruit crops globally, widely cultivated for fresh consumption, wine production, and processing due to its adaptability across diverse climates and high market demand. The selection of appropriate rootstocks is fundamental to sustainable viticulture, as they profoundly influence grapevine growth (including vigor, canopy development, and nutrient uptake), fruit quality (affecting sugar accumulation, acidity, phenolic content, and aromatic compounds), and stress resilience (enhancing tolerance to drought, salinity, pests, and diseases). By mediating physiological interactions between the scion and soil environment, rootstocks optimize vineyard performance under varying agroecological conditions. This review synthesizes current research on rootstock effects, highlighting their role in growth regulation, fruit quality enhancement, and stress adaptation mechanisms, thereby providing a scientific foundation for informed rootstock selection and targeted breeding programs to advance sustainable grape production. Rootstocks serve as critical determinants of grapevine growth and productivity by profoundly modulating key physiological and morphological traits. Their influence extends to vine vigor, canopy architecture, and metabolic processes, with distinct rootstock genotypes eliciting markedly different growth responses. For instance, vigorous rootstocks such as 1103 Paulsen and 140 Ruggeri stimulate robust cane elongation and enhance photosynthetic efficiency by optimizing leaf area development and stomatal conductance. In contrast, dwarfing rootstocks like 101-14 Mgt and SO4 restrict vegetative growth, promoting earlier berry maturation through improved carbon partitioning to reproductive structures. Rootstocks also exert significant effects on yield components, with 110 Richter and 3309 Couderc increasing cluster numbers and berry size, while 420A and 161-49 Couderc enhance fruit uniformity by regulating sink strength and assimilate distribution. At the physiological level, rootstocks mediate nutrient partitioning and hormonal balance, as demonstrated by 110R and 5BB rootstocks, which enhance soluble sugar and starch accumulation in scions through optimized phloem transport and cytokinin signaling. These mechanisms collectively fine-tune resource allocation between vegetative growth and reproductive development, underscoring the pivotal role of rootstocks in balancing vine productivity with fruit quality. The profound influence of stion interactions on fruit quality parameters-including sugar-acid equilibrium, phenolic composition, and volatile aroma profiles-has emerged as a critical factor in premium grape production. Vigorous rootstocks such as 110 Richter and 140 Ruggeri demonstrate remarkable capacity to enhance sugar accumulation (particularly glucose and fructose) while simultaneously stimulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in red varieties, thereby improving both fermentation potential and wine color stability. However, certain rootstock genotypes that facilitate excessive potassium uptake can inadvertently elevate juice pH, potentially compromising the fresh acidity essential for balanced wines. Cutting-edge research reveals that rootstocks exert sophisticated control over secondary metabolite pathways, modulating the production of health-promoting compounds like resveratrol and flavanols, which significantly contribute to the antioxidant capacity and mouthfeel characteristics of wines. A striking example is observed in Shine Muscat grapes grafted onto Summer Black rootstock, where terpene biosynthesis is enhanced through upregulation of key genes (VvLoXA and VvADH), resulting in a 2.3- fold increase in linalool content that imparts distinctive floral notes to the berries. These findings underscore how strategic rootstock selection can serve as a powerful tool for precision viticulture, enabling targeted manipulation of biochemical pathways to achieve desired quality benchmarks while maintaining vine health and productivity. Stress resistance is a pivotal criterion for rootstock selection, particularly under climate change. Drought-tolerant rootstocks develop deeper root systems and improve water-use efficiency, sustaining physiological activity during water deficit. Salt-resistant genotypes like Salt Creek and 140 Ruggeri limit Na+ and Cl- translocation, preserving photosynthetic integrity. Cold-hardy rootstocks upregulate cryoprotectants (proline, and soluble sugars) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and POD), mitigating frost damage. Additionally, rootstocks confer partial resistance to biotic threats; for instance, 41B and Gravesac reduce susceptibility to phylloxera and nematodes, while SO4 enhances scion resistance to powdery mildew and downy mildew via elevated POD and PPO activities. Molecular mechanisms underlying rootstock effects involve hormone signaling (ABA and jasmonates), nutrient transporters, and stress-responsive genes such as VvWRKYs and VvCBFs. Transcriptomic analyses reveal that rootstocks modulate phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and ion homeostasis pathways. For example, VhWRKY44 in Beta rootstock enhances cold and salt tolerance by regulating antioxidant enzyme expression, while VvMYBPA1 in 1103P improves drought resilience through ABA-mediated stomatal closure. This study analyzes major grape rootstock cultivars (1103P, SO4, 5BB and Beta) and their vital roles in growth regulation, fruit quality, and stress resistance. While current rootstocks show single-stress tolerance (cold, drought, or salinity), few possess comprehensive resilience to combined stresses. We propose developing multiresistant varieties by integrating superior traits such as Beta’s VhWRKY44 for cold tolerance, 1103P’s VvMYBPA1 upregulation for drought adaptation, and 101-14’s ion selectivity for salt resistance through hybridization, marker-assisted selection, or gene editing. Multi-omics approaches should elucidate resis- tance mechanisms to guide precision breeding. Imported rootstocks such as Fercal and 1103P require regional adaptation trials for China’s diverse conditions including arid northwest and coastal saline areas. Native species such as V. amurensis and V. davidii offer valuable stress- resistant genes for developing proprietary cultivars. Future research should adopt an“introduction- breeding- utilization”strategy to create resilient and high-quality rootstocks supporting sustainable viticulture in China.