Abstract To examine the effect of root restriction on the nitrate uptake and the nitrate transport system activity, 2-year old “Fenghou” grapevines ( Vitis Vinifera × V. Labrasca ) were planted in pots with volume 2 L and 12 L served as root restriction and the control, respectively. The pots were filled with perlite and watered with rainwater and nutrient solution. Vine growth and kinetics of nitrate uptake in vine roots were evaluated. The results showed that root restriction significantly inhibited the shoots and roots growth, enhanced the nitrate uptake rate, decreased the kinetics parameter K m value and increased V max value, that is to say, root restriction depressed the affinity of nitrate high-affinity transport system (HATS) and improved the nitrate uptake rates of both high (HATS) and low-affinity transport system (LATS). However, root restriction significantly decreased the amount of net nitrate uptake, which led to the low nitrate concentration in leaves and roots.