RFID microchip internal implants: Effects on grapevine histology

Interesting applications for traceability in agriculture have recently been developed using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. A preliminary report of survival and growth in grapevine suggested pith not only as optimal microchip localization within the plant, but only continuous monitoring of performances, supported by histological observation of tissues around microchips, can validate this approach as a long-term strategy for grapevine identification. In this study, histological assays of grapevine plants are reported, considering different strategies in RFID marking. Microchip insertion after direct drilling of pith from a distal cut on rootstocks did not show any differences in tissue status compared to control, and this can be adequately correlated to an absence of effect in plant growth. Conversely, a "U" cut performed laterally on the rootstock to insert the microchip, which involved tissues from bark to pith, caused development of callus tissues, restoring transversal continuity, but with a partial loss of functionality in terms of open vessels. This phenomenon can be considered permanent damage to plant vascular function, but with limited extension. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.