ISHS Acta Horticulturae 383: Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Plants
SOIL MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND GRAPEVINE PERFORMANCE |
| Authors: | L. Sicher, A. Dorigoni, G. Stringari |
| Keywords: | grass covering, bare soil, blade/petiole/soil analysis, must composition, agroecosystem, sustainability |
| Abstract:
Grass covering between vine rows (alleys) is an economic and ecological soil management technique in northern Italy. A "Merlot" vineyard was selected in 1987 to compare the effect of a cover crop and bare soil on soil fertility, nutritional status and vine performance. During the six years of the trial, cover crops competed mainly for nitrogen, but leaf Ca and Mg. decreased and this may be linked to the greater moisture stress of the grassed vines. Whereas leaf blade and petiole nutrient levels were significantly correlated, leaf and soil analysis generally were not. The use of cover crops helped to reduce excessive growth and yield; on the other hand, only slight differences in berry composition, mainly dependent on vintage year, were noticed. The open canopy of the grassed vines resulted in minor botrytis infection, especially compared to chemically weeded. The presence of sod in the vineyard kept a proper organic matter content, proving to be a practical opportunity for improving sustainability of the agroecosystem. | |
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