The Effects of Malch Applications on the Seedling Quality of 110R and Fercal Grape Rootstocks

Viticulture, in Turkey as well as all over the world is one of the most important agricultural activities as socio-economic issues. Significant quantities of high-quality grapevine seedlings are needed to maintain and improve the current state of viticulture at national and global levels. Soil cultivation, irrigation and plant protection activities in the sapling production process not only increase the production cost, but also affect the yield and quality of the seedlings. In this study, mulch applications (Black plastic BP, Black plastic jute PJ, Biodegradable plastic BD, Wheat stalk OM and Control) of 110R and Fercal grape rootstocks obtained from the Sub-Union of Sapling Producers, from standard graftable quality virus free cuttings, in open area conditions was done. Effects of applications on seedling yield and quality (soil temperature (°C), leaf temperature (°C), stomatal conductivity (mmol m-2 s-1), leaf chlorophyll content (spad value), leaf area (cm2), leaf number (pieces), leaf weight (g), shoot length (cm), shoot diameter (mm), pruning residue weight (g), shoot development level (0-4 scale), root numbers (pieces) and diameter (mm), root fresh and dry weight (g), root growth level (0-4 scale) and seedling efficiency (%) were examined. While mulch applications in general provided improvement in all parameters examined, the efficiency varied according to grapevine rootstocks and examined properties. In terms of seedling efficiency, BP application in Fercal rootstock and BD application in 110R rootstock were most effective. According to the data obtained from this study, the positive effects of BP and BB, PJ and OM mulch applications were determined in the production of grape rootstock seedlings in open areas and especially in areas where the relative humidity was very low.