In vitro rooting of vitis species native to Texas and New Mexico

Cuttings of native grape vines were taken from Crosby County, TX, San Migel County, NM and Otero County, NM. These cuttings were cultivated in a greenhouse for a year and then propagated in vitro to evaluate the difference in rooting ability between the species. The different species evaluated were Vitis arizonica, V. treleasei and an interspecific hybrid involving V. treleasei with one or more of the following: V. acerifolia, V. arizonica, V. doaniana. Vitis vinifera ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Chardonnay’ were used as controls for comparison with the native species. Single-node cuttings were placed on 1/2 strength Murashige and Skoog medium and observed for 4 weeks. Cuttings from all genotypes rooted well (>73% of cuttings rooted), with the exception of one selection of V. treleasei (36%). Cuttings from a more recent collection were also propagated in vitro directly after collection from the field, although contamination rates were much higher.