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January 2016 WINES&VINES 105 PRACTICAL WINERY & VINEYARD GRAPEGROWING due to rootstock. 11 What is unclear is why, in some cases, there are yield differences attributable to rootstock and in others there are not, and why evaluations that contain some rootstocks in com- mon arrive at significant differ- ences due to rootstock, but with different rootstock rank or- ders. 5,9,10,12,13 When answers to these questions are found, root- stock breeding can more effi- ciently utilize the traits involved. Given that the majority of the world's rootstocks are derived from only three Vitis species, namely V. riparia, V. rupestris and V. berlandieri, the abundance of unexamined grape species, par- ticularly those from the arid Southwest, holds great promise. There is every reason to antici- pate improvements in drought tolerance through continued ef- forts in grapevine rootstock breed- ing. First among these is that breeding for dehydration resis- tance has already been successful in other crops, especially rice and maize, often using straightfor- ward and conventional method- ologies. Grapevine breeding can follow suit. It is conceivable that advances made in other crops may be rapidly employed in grapes as genome sequencing becomes more widespread, rapid and less expensive. The drought tolerance catch phrase "more crop per drop" is already a reality when both improved cultural methods and appropriate rootstocks are em- ployed. Further gains are largely a matter of continued effort to push the boundaries of what is known and explored, and each step forward will be needed as available resources diminish. Kevin Fort is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Viticulture & Enology at the University of California, Davis. He studies salinity tolerance and drought resistance in grape rootstocks in the Walker lab and has studied salinity and drought in wildland plants from Mono Lake and Owens Valley. Andrew Walker is a professor of viticul- ture at UC Davis as well as a grape breeder and geneticist. His work focuses on developing new rootstocks and dis- ease-resistant wine grape varieties. Re- search for this project was funded by the California Grape Rootstock Improvement Commission; California Grapevine Root- stock Research Foundation; Fruit Tree, Nut Tree and Grapevine Improvement Advisory Board; California Table Grape Commission and American Vineyard Foundation. E. & J. Gallo Winery funded Dr. Kevin Fort's postdoctoral research. Your lender of choice for agricultural capital • Agricultural real estate lender for 98 years • Long-term fxed or adjustable rate mortgage fnancing • Real estate secured revolving line of credit • Competitive interest rates • Flexible terms and structuring www.metlife.com/ag Rates are attractive —contact us today. 559.435.0206 Agricultural Investments © 2015 METLIFE, INC. © '15 PNTS Custom made - Handcrafted Barrels