Rootstock SHASLA X BERLANDIERI 41B

SHASLA X BERLANDIERI 41B is a rootstock obtained in France in 1882, which is still widely used thanks to its chlorosis resistance and good growth energy efficiency. Crystal white eye with intense felted pubescence and bright anthocyanin coloring of the margins of young leaves make the bushes visually attractive. Young leaves are pentagonal, three-lobed, almost entire, of copper-green color, densely covered with spider-like and felted pubescence, which gradually decreases as the leaf ages.

Canes are of medium thickness, round in shape (index 1), with short internodes 8–10 cm long, possessing a dense pith-wood ratio of about 0.6. Eyes are large, dome-shaped, and pubescent, with a curved and thin petiole scar. The leaf is of medium size – elongated, pentagonal, with five barely marked lobes; the upper surface is shiny, wrinkled, dark-green, and the lower one is slightly bristly along the veins. The petiole notch is open, varying from vaulted to lyrate, and the petiole is short and thick with a groove.

Bushes are small or of medium size, the average volume of one-year-old wood by the end of vegetation reaches 1000 cm³. The vegetation period is about 180 days with a sum of active temperatures above 3200 °C. The vine ripens well – up to 80–90% yield, and the formation of suckers and inflorescences (clusters) is limited. The root system is deep, with several thick fleshy roots and rare small lateral branches, penetrating more than 2 m into the soil.

The rootstock is resistant to oidium, downy mildew, and root phylloxera (high resistance), but is sensitive to nematode damage. Eye cold hardiness is low – in harsh winters significant damage is observed, and root frost resistance is also limited. The variety is well adapted to calcareous soils, withstands up to 40% active lime and up to 60% total limestone content. It prefers well-drained, slightly dry soils with sufficient moisture; under arid conditions additional irrigation is required, but it does not tolerate spring flooding.

SHASLA X BERLANDIERI 41B is suitable for regions with naturally high rainfall and provides high growth energy. When used as grafted rootstocks, it can contribute to the formation of a denser, more compact cluster and increase the acidity of the juice, which is useful in wine production.