Would using muscadine rootstock - hybrid between the two as interstock for compatibility - and fruiting table grape on the trellis prevent Pierce’s disease from ruining everything?
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No.
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Please elaborate, I have no experience with muscadine.
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If it’s spread by insects feeding on succulent growth, then having a rootstock that’s resistant or immune isn’t going to do much for the rest of the plant.
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Would this even work?
Furthermore, has the state of Kansas (being a cold state) seen Pierce’s disease?
Like the others, I doubt if it would work but I don’t know for sure. My experience with Pierce’s disease is that it is a gradual disease. It first weakens the vine and then in subsequent years the quality goes down.
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Muscadine hybrids do exist. Southern Home is an example. But there are grapes resistant to Pierce’s disease. Do due diligence and you will find a breeding program by Professor Andy Walker that has been working on this for years.
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Thanx, I had vaguely thought Pierce’s disease was soil borne, didn’t realize it is transmitted by insects. It’s not something I’ve dealt with in KS. My nephew had moved to middle AR, wants to put in 50 or so vines.
I suggested Robert Zehnder’s hybrids if I could find a source, he wants cluster table grapes he’s familiar with.
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Sharpshooter insect. Other insects can transmit the disease but somehow, it’s not as damaging. While there are grapes resistant to Pierce’s disease, they are not necessarily immune to the disease. Pierce’s disease can weaken a vine and then an usually cold event can kill the vine.
8 or so years ago I had 15 or so bunch grapes (Reliance, Jupiter, Swenson Red, N.Y. Muscat) and then I noticed some yellowing of leaves and other symptoms. Took a specimen to the local extension office and they confirmed it as Pierce’s disease. They suggested the Saturn vine as an alternative. I thought it over and converted to muscadines.
Don’t forget that there is other disease prevalent to bunch grapes that don’t exist with muscadines. Mildew is one. Not to mention that birds, raccoons and squirrels love bunch grapes. Not so much with muscadines.
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What, the critters won’t eat them? That’s not a plus…lol
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That is correct, a couple of years ago the UC program made some releases of PD resistant grapes. However, they are all winegrapes.
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My limited experience with table grapes in the southeast, Razzmatazz is a pretty good all rounder. It’s a self pollinating seedless hybrid with a sweet mild muscadine flavor, small grapes that hang in bunches, good disease resistance, and a very long harvest window.
For pure muscadine, a family friend who grows a number of muscadines says Darlene is his favorite and usually the favorite of those who have tried it. I only had a few late season grapes to try myself, but it was clearly a very good muscadine.
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If it was me, I’d talk to a local extension office. Also, the University of Arkansas has had a very extensive table grape breeding program. If it was possible, I would want to talk to them also. 50 or so vines are quite a commitment in time and expense.
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