Enhancing grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) mass propagation: Single node cuttings vs. traditional approaches

In the past decade, numerous grape genotypes have been introduced to Iran, many showing desirable traits and adapting well to the region. However, their mass propagation is limited due to their non-native status and the challenges of traditional methods. This research explored single-node cuttings (SNCs) for grapevine propagation as an alternative and compared its effectiveness to traditional hardwood cutting (HWC) techniques. The Perlette and Fakhri grape cultivars were selected and both traditional HWCs (25 cm length, 4-5 nodes) and SNCs (5 cm length, just a single node) were procured from dormant canes. The cuttings were subjected to IBA and inserted into two different rooting substrates in a greenhouse fitted with a misting system. The comparative rooting attributes were measured in both techniques. Both cuttings showed high rooting percentages (more than 95 percent), but the SNC method yielded more plants per square meter. The SNCs planted horizontally rooted earlier and more effectively. While the rooting substrate didn’t significantly impact rooting success, the perlite and coco peat mixture (6:1) was easier to manage for SNCs. Overall, we recommend the SNC approach as a creative, quick, cost-effective and efficient method for grapevine mass propagation.