Couderc 161-49
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | France |
| Breeder: | Georges Couderc |
| Variety number VIVC: | 3016 |
| Prime name: | Couderc 161- 49 |
| Breeding number: | 161-49 C |
| Principal Synonyms: | 161-49 Couderc, 161-49 C, Riparia × Berlandieri 161-49, Ilanya Hemdatya, Rxb 161-49 |
| Year of obtaining / registration: | Selected by Georges Couderc in 1888 |
| Pedigree given by breeder: | Vitis Riparia × Vitis Berlandieri |
| Pedigree confirmed by markers: | Vitis Riparia × Vitis Berlandieri |
| Rootstock type: | Phylloxera-resistant, Lime-tolerant |
| Data Sources: | Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), INRAE (France) |
| Agrobiology | |
| Vigor: | medium |
| Flower type: | female |
| Active lime tolerance: | 25% |
| Drought tolerance: | tolerant |
| Waterlogging tolerance: | low |
| Resistance to fungal diseases: | resistant |
| Nematode susceptibility: | 3 points (low resistance) |
| Leaf phylloxera susceptibility: | 2 points (resistant) |
| Rooting ability: | medium |
| Graft compatibility with Vitis vinifera: | high |
| Recommended soil types: | Limestone or clay-limestone, not very compact, light, and fairly deep soils |
| Ampelographic overview |
Origin History and Economic Significance
The rootstock grape variety Couderc 161-49 (161-49 C) was obtained by breeder Georges Couderc in 1888 through the crossbreeding of Vitis riparia and Vitis berlandieri. According to data updated in 2026, the estimated surface area of the French vineyard grafted with this rootstock is approximately 22,000 hectares. The main regions of its use include Bourgogne, Franche-Comté, Champagne, Alsace, Charentes, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhône-Alpes, Aquitaine, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Val de Loire, and Midi-Pyrénées.
The economic significance of the rootstock lies in its ability to balance vegetative growth and confer a moderate vigor to the vineyard. The growth and fruiting speed given by the variety is quite slow, and the limited yields during the first years reduce the risks of tylosis development. Varieties grafted onto Couderc 161-49 produce high-quality fruits. In winemaking, blends made with Chardonnay, Colombard, Merlot, Pinot, and Ugni Blanc are particularly appreciated. It also shows good results with hybrid grapes. However, some joining and compatibility problems have sometimes been reported with Carignan, Gamay, and Servant.
Ampelographic Description of the Couderc 161-49 Variety
- Young shoot (tip) and young leaves: The tip of the young shoot is half-open, with a medium density of prostrate hairs and a piping anthocyanin coloration along the edges. Young leaves are slightly bronzed.
- Formed leaf: Adult leaves are wedge-shaped and dark green. The leaf blade is undulate between the veins. The petiolar sinus is an open U-shape, with petiole veins often being naked (at least on one side). A weak to moderate anthocyanin coloration of the leaf veins is observed.
- Leaf teeth: The teeth along the margin of the leaf blade feature straight sides. The tooth of the center vein is the longest, with one side concave and one side convex. On the lower side of the leaves and on the petiole, a medium to high density of erect hairs is present.
- Shoots and canes: The shoots are elongated with an elliptic cross-section and a ribbed surface. Coloration shows distinct polarity: the dorsal side features red internodes and red nodes, while the ventral side has green internodes and red nodes. The density of erect hairs is very low on the internodes and low to medium on the nodes. Mature woody shoots are light to dark brown.
- Flower and berry: The variety has female flowers. The berries are very small, round-shaped, with a blue-black skin.
Features of Agricultural Technology of the Couderc 161-49 Grape Rootstock
The Couderc 161-49 variety resists up to 40% of total limestone, 25% of active limestone according to Galet, and has an IPC (Chlorosis Power Index) of 50. The rootstock's drought resistance is moderate to high. However, it is susceptible to temporary water excess during the spring. It is well-adapted to limestone or clay-limestone, light, and fairly deep soils. Excessively compact and heavy soils should be avoided.
In nursery multiplication, the variety shows moderate results. Wood production is moderate, ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 meters per hectare, with sometimes a certain proportion of damaged wood. Field cleaning and disbudding are difficult due to a large number of tendrils. The cutting and grafting capacities are only moderate. Canes must be maintained under good conditions and require special care during the stratification phase (duration and exact tracking of hormone application) up until planting in the nursery (shkolka). In France, the 10 certified clones carry the numbers 170, 171, 176, 177, 190, 197, 198, 199, 225, and 239, among which clones No. 176, No. 198, and No. 170 were the most multiplied in mother vine plantations as of 2017.
The rootstock is highly tolerant to the root form of phylloxera, but is moderately resistant to Meloidogyne incognita nematodes and is susceptible to Meloidogyne arenaria nematodes. A severe problem is its high sensitivity to tylosis (vessel clogging), particularly when the plants are young, which may increase severe cases of apoplexy. In recent years, cases of declining young vines grafted on 161-49 C have been reported (mostly affecting southern regions). Initial symptoms, marked by a significant decrease in vigor and cambium failure, occur from the third year after planting and are accompanied by abnormal trunk and root thickening under certain soil and climatic conditions. Until the real causes of this syndrome are understood, great care is recommended when selecting this rootstock.