Castel 196-17
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | France |
| Breeder: | Pierre Castel |
| Variety number VIVC: | 2170 |
| Prime name: | Castel 196-17 |
| Breeding number: | 196-17 |
| Principal Synonyms: | 196-17, 196-17 Castel |
| Year of obtaining / registration: | Selected by Pierre Castel in 1906 |
| Pedigree given by breeder: | Couderc 1203 x Riparia Gloire De Montpellier |
| Pedigree confirmed by markers: | Couderc 1203 x Riparia Gloire De Montpellier |
| Rootstock type: | Acid-soil tolerant |
| Data Sources: | Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), INRAE (France) |
| Agrobiology | |
| Vegetation period: | 170-175 days |
| Vigor: | vigorous |
| Flower type: | male |
| Shoot ripening: | 80-85% |
| Active lime tolerance: | 6% |
| Salinity tolerance: | low |
| Drought tolerance: | resistant |
| Nematode susceptibility: | 4 points (highly susceptible) |
| Root phylloxera susceptibility: | 3 points (low resistance) |
| Rooting ability: | high |
| Graft compatibility with Vitis vinifera: | high |
| Recommended soil types: | Schist or granitic, dry, poor, superficial, stony, acidic, and sandy soils (if there is no endoparasitic nematodes) |
| Ampelographic overview |
Origin History and Economic Significance
The rootstock grape variety Castel 196-17 (196-17 Cl) was obtained in France in 1906 by French breeder Pierre Castel through the crossbreeding of 1203 Couderc (Vitis vinifera - Vitis rupestris) and Vitis riparia cv. Gloire de Montpellier. According to current statistical evaluations updated in 2026, the estimated surface area of the French vineyard grafted with this rootstock is approximately 1,500 hectares, with Languedoc-Roussillon being the primary region of its practical use. The main objective of its selection was to create a specialized rootstock adapted to poor and dry environments.
The economic significance of the Castel 196-17 variety is determined by its ability to confer a significant vigor to the graft development. Due to this high growth vigor, it can be efficiently used to replace missing plants in established vineyards. In nursery multiplication, the variety shows good parameters, displaying good cutting and grafting capacities.
Ampelographic Description of the Castel 196-17 Variety
- Young shoot (tip): The tip of the young shoot is half open, displaying no or a very low density of prostrate hairs. The growing shoots feature a smooth surface and a moderate to strong anthocyanin coloration.
- Formed leaf: Adult leaves are circular, involute, and funnel-shaped, entire. The leaf blade is characteristically undulate between the veins. The petiolar sinus is slightly open or closed. Marginal teeth are large with straight sides.
- Canes: Mature woody shoots are browny red or purplish, displaying no erect and prostrate hairs.
- Flower: The variety develops male flowers. No clusters or berries are produced on the rootstock vines.
Features of Agricultural Technology
The Castel 196-17 variety is highly sensitive to chlorosis, resisting only up to 60% of total limestone, 6% of active limestone, and displaying an IPC (Chlorosis Power Index) of 5. However, it is well adapted to drought and acidic soils. It is particularly suited to schist or granitic, dry, poor, superficial, and stony soils, along to sandy soils if there is no endoparasitic nematodes. This rootstock is also slightly tolerant to chlorides.
In nursery multiplication, wood production is moderate, ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 meters per hectare, and it displays good cutting and grafting capacities. The rootstock is only moderately tolerant to the root form of phylloxera, and it is best to plant it under unfavorable environmental conditions for this pest. Additionally, its protective properties against other soil pests are limited: it is sensitive to Meloidogyne arenaria and Meloidogyne incognita nematodes, which requires strict phytosanitary management.