Fercal

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Fercal

Name of variety in France (and usual designation) The rootstock variety is presented by the abbreviation or name under which it appears in the national catalogue and which is also the most commonly used in French grapevine nurseries and French viticulture. There is no official list of synonyms for rootstock varieties.

The rootstock variety is presented by the abbreviation or name under which it appears in the national catalogue and which is also the most commonly used in French grapevine nurseries and French viticulture. There is no official list of synonyms for rootstock varieties.

Fercal

Breeder/selector and year of obtention The name of the breeder and/or selector is indicated, as is the year in which the variety was bred.

INRA, 1959.

Genetic origin The genetic origin of the variety is also indicated when known thanks to hybridiser data or genetic analysis either published or obtained by the teams at INRAE in Montpellier (UMR AGAP) and at the Vassal-Montpellier Grapevine Biological Resources Centre (CRB-Vigne).

The genetic origin of the variety is also indicated when known thanks to hybridiser data or genetic analysis either published or obtained by the teams at INRAE in Montpellier (UMR AGAP) and at the Vassal-Montpellier Grapevine Biological Resources Centre (CRB-Vigne).

Based on genetic analyses carried out in Montpellier, this variety results from the crossbreeding of Berlandieri Colombard number 1 B (from a crossbreeding between Vitis berlandieri and Vitis vinifera cv. Ugni blanc) and 31 Richter (from the crossbreeding between Vitis berlandieri cv. Rességuier number 2 and Vitis longii cv. Novo-mexicana).

Evolution of mother vine surfaces The figures indicated are taken from the successive annual reports drawn up with data from: IVCC, ONIVIT, ONIVINS, VINIFLHOR and FAM.

The figures indicated are taken from the successive annual reports drawn up with data from: IVCC, ONIVIT, ONIVINS, VINIFLHOR and FAM.

	1975	1985	1995	2005	2015
Rank	21	13	9	6	4
ha	18	40	67	192	240

Estimated surface area of French vines grafted with the rootstock, and main regions of use The figures are estimated based on the computerised vineyard register and bibliographical data. The regions are indicated in descending order of size.

The figures are estimated based on the computerised vineyard register and bibliographical data. The regions are indicated in descending order of size.

30 000 ha. Champagne, Aquitaine, Charentes, Alsace, Midi-Pyrénées, Val de Loire, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhône-Alpes.

Descriptive elements

Only the main ampelographic elements enabling the rootstocks to be characterised and identified are provided. They are described according to the ampelographic descriptor code recognised by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), the Community Plant Variety Office (OCVV) and Bioversity International (for more information, see the <a href="/en/vocabulaire">"Ampelographic glossary"</a> menu).<br>
The photographs of buds, flowers and adult leaves were taken indoors by the INRAE team at Domaine de Vassal from material sampled from the ampelographic collections of the Vassal-Montpellier Grapevine Biological Resources Centre.<br><br>
Note: the scale of the photos is not the same for the three organs shown. The photos of buds have been reduced (x 0.5 approx.), as have those of the adult leaves (x 0.25 approx.), while those of the flowers have been enlarged (x 4 approx.).

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot that is half open, with a piping anthocyanin coloration and a very high density of prostrate hairs,
- the young leaves with a very high density of prostrate hairs,
- the shoots with a ribbed surface, a circular section or slightly elliptic and a high density of erect and prostrate hairs,
- the wedge- or kidney-shaped, entire adult leaves, with an involute leaf blade, an open U-shaped petiole sinus, short teeth compared to their width,
- the female flowers,
- the small, round-shaped berries, with a blue black skin,
- the woody shoots with a medium density of erect hairs.

Genetic profile

Microsatellite	VVS2	VVMD5	VVMD7	VVMD27	VRZAG62	VRZAG79	VVMD25	VVMD28	VVMD32
Allel 1	141	234	231	236	184	246	236	218	243
Allel 2	141	261	251	254	220	258	254	243	243

Resistance to soil parasites The degree of tolerance to the root form of phylloxera and resistance to nematodes (Meloidogyne hapla, Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne arenaria), to Agrobacterium vitis (the bacterium responsible for burls) and to certain soil fungi is stated on the basis of observations or bibliographical data.

The degree of tolerance to the root form of phylloxera and resistance to nematodes (<I>Meloidogyne hapla</I>, <I>Meloidogyne incognita</I> and <I>Meloidogyne arenaria</I>), to <I>Agrobacterium vitis</I> (the bacterium responsible for burls) and to certain soil fungi is stated on the basis of observations or bibliographical data.

Fercal is very highly tolerant to the root form of phylloxera. It is also fairly tolerant to Meloidogyne arenaria and Meloidogyne incognita nematodes, but is only moderately resistant to Meloidogyne hapla nematodes.

Adaptation to the environment $This paragraph provides information on the behaviour of the rootstock variety in relation to the structure, texture and composition of the soil, its mineral content and the soil’s pH. It also states the behaviour of the rootstock when faced with an excess or lack of water during the vegetative period. Chlorosis Iron chlorosis is related to problems of iron assimilation due to low iron content and/or high carbonate content in soil. Total calcium carbonate content alone gives only a partial idea of the chlorosis-inducing power of the soil. The active calcium carbonate content corresponds to the percentage of carbonate present in the fine fraction of the soil (clays, fine silts). Depending on the characteristics of the parent rock and its geological origin, this represents a variable percentage of the total calcium carbonate. The chlorotic power index (IPC) is a calculation which takes into account the active calcium carbonate content and the easily extractible iron content of the soil. These three values provide an insight into the risk of chlorosis and allow growers to choose the most suitable rootstock variety accordingly. Tylosis and apoplexy These apoplexy phenomena are linked to problems of water circulation through the plant when evapotranspiration is high (dry wind following heavy rainfall in the summer season) and the absorption of water through the roots is limited. In this case, the high pressure in the vessels causes air bubbles (cavitation) and tyloses (invagination of the membrane of neighbouring cells in the vessels) to form, which causes a slowing of sap circulation and water stress in the leaves.$

The main feature of Fercal is its very high resistance to chlorosis and its adaptation to limestone soils. It resists up to 60% of "total" limestone, 40% of "active" limestone and to an ICP of 120. This rootstock tolerates fairly well humid spring conditions and its resistance to drought is moderate to good if the roots are sufficiently deep. Fercal has some difficulties to absorb magnesium in the soil, particularly with an excessive potassium fertilization. The varieties grafted can show some magnesium deficiency symptoms with this rootstock.

Interaction with grafts and production objectives The rootstock may interact with the characteristics of the graft in terms of precocity of the vegetative cycle and the growth and development of the branches, as well as yield factors (fertility and berry size). In some cases, the risks of incompatibility or poor affinity of the rootstock variety with a graft variety are specified.

The rootstock may interact with the characteristics of the graft in terms of precocity of the vegetative cycle and the growth and development of the branches, as well as yield factors (fertility and berry size). In some cases, the risks of incompatibility or poor affinity of the rootstock variety with a graft variety are specified.

Fercal shows a good affinity with graft varieties. The growth and fruit set speed given by Fercal is good. The vigor confered by rootstock is moderate to high. Its influence on the vegetative cycle is moderate. In terms of fertility and yields, Fercal is balanced and the grafts produce good quality products. It is particularly well suited to Syrah.

Vegetative propagation aptitudes The level of wood production by the rootstock strains is stated (source: ENTAV-ONIVINS survey of grapevine nurseries, April 2001). The suitability for cleaning, disbudding, cutting and grafting is also specified. Further details are provided if the rootstock variety requires special precautions during grafting and layering.

The level of wood production by the rootstock strains is stated (source: ENTAV-ONIVINS survey of grapevine nurseries, April 2001). The suitability for cleaning, disbudding, cutting and grafting is also specified. Further details are provided if the rootstock variety requires special precautions during grafting and layering.

The length and diameter of the internodes are medium and the growth of lateral shoot buds is significant. Fercal wood production is moderate (30 000 to 60 000 m/ha) and the canes must be conserved under very good conditions to avoid any dehydration. Fercal has a very good cutting capacity and a moderate grafting aptitude, with a substantial wood pith in the canes. Fercal canes need to be well rehydrated before use. Hormoning is not necessary and must be moderate if performed. The stratification time necessary for this rootstock is relatively short.

Resistance to aerial parasites Susceptibility to the gall form of phylloxera is also specified, as is the level of resistance to or tolerance of the following diseases: downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), anthracnose (Elsinoe ampelina) and bud mite disease (Colomerus vitis) on the basis of observation or bibliographical data.

Susceptibility to the gall form of phylloxera is also specified, as is the level of resistance to or tolerance of the following diseases: downy mildew (<I>Plasmopara viticola</I>), anthracnose (<I>Elsinoe ampelina</I>) and bud mite disease (<I>Colomerus vitis</I>) on the basis of observation or bibliographical data.

Fercal is resistant to downy mildew and to anthracnose, and is moderately sensitive to the gall form of phylloxera.

Clonal selection in France All certified clones are listed, as are the surface areas of the mother vine of clones that are propagated. For the moment, clonal selection of rootstock is conducted solely for sanitary purposes.

All certified clones are listed, as are the surface areas of the mother vine of clones that are propagated. For the moment, clonal selection of rootstock is conducted solely for sanitary purposes.

In France, the only certified Fercal clone carries the number 242 and it is multiplied on 244 ha 16 ares of mother vines producing certified material, in 2017.

Datas are extracted from: Les chiffres de la pépinière viticole, 2017, Datas and assesment of FranceAgriMer, may 2018.

Bibliographic references noticeGreffe.Bibliographie

- Catalogue des variétés et clones de vigne cultivés en France. Collectif, 2007, Ed. IFV, Le Grau-du-Roi, France.
- Documentary collections of the Centre de Ressources Biologiques de la Vigne de Vassal-Montpellier, INRAE - Montpellier SupAgro, Marseillan, France.
- Cépages et vignobles de France, tome 1. P. Galet, 1988, Ed. Dehan, Montpellier, France.

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Catalogue of grapevines cultivated in France