ISHS Acta Horticulturae 640: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Viticulture - Living with Limitations
ALTERNATIVE SOIL MANAGEMENT FOR STUDY VINEYARDS |
| Author: | L. Némethy |
| Keywords: | soil moisture, soil covering, soil penetration, Digitaria, straw-covered treatment, path of the tractor wheel |
| Abstract:
In a significant number of Hungarian vineyards with sandy soils, the intensive mechanization of the last decades has had unfavorable impacts on the soil. For partial elimination of the problems in soil biology and structure, for environmental protection, and for development of mechanized technologies we developed and evaluated modern, atypical, environmentally-friendly tillage systems. Within this frame, we evaluated cover crops and straw cover methods. We replaced chemical herbicides with modern, controlled-line cultivation machines; and loosened compacted soils by sub-soiling. Soil moisture content and penetration resistance were measured, and the correlation between cover crop height and soil moisture content were measured. Among the treatments examined, the inter-row area covered by straw had the highest soil moisture content. Among the species of cover crops and soil cultivation methods, the most favorable moisture values were measured in inter-rows covered by Digitaria, followed by rye, then set-aside and natural weed flora cover. The most favorable moisture content was found when the stubble was maintained at 12-15 cm high, while the worst was found when the stubble was maintained at 20-23 cm. The soil penetration resistance, which is correlated with soil compaction, was 1.2-1.5 times higher in the inter-row than at the bottom of the row, while the maximum value in the tractor wheel track reached 2.1-3.8 times higher. The unfavorable conditions of the soil could be eliminated by using suitable subsoilers. | |
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