Physiological and image-based phenotyping assessment of waterlogging responses of three kiwifruit rootstocks and grafting combinations

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1499432
• Publication Date: 2025-02-05T07:36:15Z
• Authors: Maria Calabritto; Alba N. Mininni; Roberto Di Biase; Angelo Petrozza; Stephan Summerer; Francesco Cellini; Bartolomeo Dichio
• Keywords: Actinidia deliciosa; Waterlogging (archaeology); Actinidia; Stomatal Conductance; Actinidia chinensis; Water Use Efficiency

Introduction Kiwifruit species have a relatively high rate of root oxygen consumption, making them very vulnerable to low zone concentrations resulting from soil waterlogging. Recently, kiwifruit rootstocks been increasingly used improve biotic and abiotic stress tolerance crop performance under adverse conditions. The aim the present study was evaluate morpho-physiological changes in grafting combinations short-term waterlogging stress. Methods A pot trial conducted at ALSIA PhenoLab, part Phen-Italy infrastructures, using non-destructive RGB NIR image-based analysis physiological measurements identify indicators more tolerant genotypes. Three pot-grown (‘Bounty 71,’ Actinidia macrosperma —B; ‘D1,’ chinensis var. deliciosa —D; ‘Hayward,’ A. —H) combinations, with yellow-fleshed cultivar (‘Zesy 002,’ ) grafted on each rootstock (Z/B, Z/D, Z/H), were subjected control irrigation treatment (WW), restoring their daily water 9-day (WL), based substrate saturation. Leaf gas exchange, photosynthetic activity, leaf temperature, RGB, data collected during Results Stomatal conductance transpiration reached values (less than 0.05 mol m −2 s −1 1 mmol , respectively) both waterlogged D H combinations. In turn, temperature significantly increased photosynthesis reduced (1–6 μmol first days compared B combination. Discussion showed prolonged exchange indicating that it can cope temporary kiwi vines, which decrease stomatal 5 after onset Morphometric colorimetric parameters confirmed greater susceptibility B. results presented confirm role enhance images detecting occurrence identifying genotypes kiwifruit.