318: The Hidden Life of Grapevine Roots: When Roots Really Grow

Many winegrape growers don't realize that grapevine roots are constantly growing, dying, and regenerating throughout the season. In this episode, David Eissenstat, Professor Emeritus at Penn State University, explains how decades of root research have challenged the myth that roots only grow at bloom and after harvest.

He shares how underground research techniques reveal the hidden life of grapevine roots, why young roots drive water and nutrient uptake, how root growth changes with temperature and moisture, and what growers should know about managing vineyards with a deeper understanding of root biology. 

Resources:  

• 281: How Rootstock Impacts Vine Drought Tolerance and Longevity
• Crop load – physiology, modelling and relationships to root growth in grapevines 
• David Eissenstat
• Importance of internal hydraulic redistribution for prolonging the lifespan of roots in dry soil
• The Efficiency of Nutrient Acquisition over the Life of a Root 

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