Binova
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | Germany |
| Variety number VIVC: | 1369 |
| Prime name: | Binova |
| Year of obtaining / registration: | mutated vine discovered on September 19, 1960 |
| Pedigree given by breeder: | Vitis berlandieri × Vitis riparia (natural spontaneous mutation of SO4) |
| Pedigree confirmed by markers: | Selektion Oppenheim 4 Mutation |
| Rootstock type: | Phylloxera-resistant, Lime-tolerant |
| Data Sources: | Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), Registro Nazionale delle Varietà di Vite (Italy) |
| Agrobiology | |
| Vigor: | Semi-vigorous |
| Flower type: | Hermaphrodite |
| Active lime tolerance: | 20% |
| Drought tolerance: | Tolerant |
| Root phylloxera susceptibility: | 2 points (resistant) |
| Leaf phylloxera susceptibility: | 5 points (high susceptibility) |
| Rooting ability: | High |
| Graft compatibility with Vitis vinifera: | High |
| Recommended soil types: | Broad range of soil types, particularly calcareous and moderately fertile (not overly weak) soils. |
| Ampelographic overview |
Origin History and Economic Importance
The Binova grapevine rootstock is a natural berry-bearing mutation of the well-known SO4 rootstock (an interspecific hybrid of Vitis berlandieri × Vitis riparia). The variety was discovered on September 19, 1960, by viticultural advisor Anton Binstadt in Oppenheim (Rheinhessen region, Germany) in a mother block of SO4 rootstocks. The mother vine stood out due to its atypical flower structure for SO4 and its ability to set berries. At the current stage of molecular genetic analysis, the Binova rootstock cannot yet be distinguished from the original SO4 variety using standard DNA testing. In clonal selection work, the official clone 1 Op has been isolated.
The Binova rootstock variety has gained widespread adoption in German viticulture (particularly in the Rheinhessen, Pfalz, and Württemberg regions) as well as in Austria. In Germany, the planted area of Binova mother blocks consistently ranks second among all rootstock varieties (19.1 ha in 2005 and 32.8 ha in 2015). Its root system is semi-deep rooting. The variety demonstrates broad adaptability to diverse soil conditions, performing best in calcareous soils (up to ~20% active lime) that are not overly weak or poor. It exhibits good resistance to lime-induced chlorosis, moderate drought tolerance, and low susceptibility to root phylloxera, though it shows very high susceptibility to leaf phylloxera.
In terms of vigor, the Binova rootstock surpasses the parent SO4 variety, imparting stronger vegetative growth to the scion. The end of the vegetative cycle for vines grafted onto the Binova rootstock variety occurs at a medium-to-late stage. In commercial vineyards, this grapevine rootstock is especially recommended for scion varieties prone to coulure and poor fruit set during flowering, as it promotes reliable berry development.
Morphological Description of the Binova Rootstock Variety
- Young Shoot (Shoot Tip): The tip of the young shoot is closed to half-open, with medium prostrate (woolly) hairiness and weak anthocyanin coloration.
- Mature Leaf: Leaves are medium to large in size, pentagonal in shape, entire (with undivided lobing), and feature a weakly blistered upper blade surface. The lower side of the leaf possesses weak prostrate hairiness combined with medium erect (bristly) hairiness. Leaf veins exhibit weak to medium anthocyanin coloration. The petiolar sinus is wide open and U-shaped.
- Shoot and Mature Cane: Erect (bristly) hairiness on the shoot is absent or very sparse. The mature woody cane is dark brown with a ribbed surface. Tendrils are trifid.
- Flower and Bunch: The flower type is hermaphroditic. Unlike the functionally male SO4, the Binova rootstock produces bunches with dark blue berries ranging from small to medium in size.
Nursery Cultivation Characteristics
In nursery production, the Binova rootstock variety is valued for its high rooting ability of cuttings and strong graft affinity (compatibility) with all cultivated scion varieties. During bench grafting and subsequent waxing, the use of red paraffin containing growth regulators (auxins) is recommended to stimulate active callus formation. In mother blocks with sufficient water supply in northern viticultural regions, between 80 and 120 standard grafting lengths of 0.30 m can be harvested per vine annually.