ISHS Acta Horticulturae 754: International Workshop on Advances in Grapevine and Wine Research
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SEEDED COVER-CROP ON VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS, YIELD AND GRAPE AND WINE COMPOSITION OF 'GRECHETTO' GRAPEVINES IN CENTRAL ITALY |
| Authors: | A. Palliotti, A. Cartechini, D. Petoumenou, O. Silvestroni, S. Mattioli, J.G. Berrios |
| Keywords: | Vitis vinifera L., tillage, soluble solids, vine growth |
| Abstract:
The long-term effects of inter-row cover-crop (Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne), on canopy characteristics, yield and grape and wine composition were studied in Grechetto G109 grapevines grown in Central Italy under non-irrigated conditions. In a six-year trial (1999-2004), cover-crop as compared to tillage constantly reduced vine vigour and yield, without altering must sugar concentration. Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne cover-crop lead to a decrease in vineyard efficiency ranging from 9% (rainy seasons) up to 40% (dry season). In dry seasons berry polyphenols and colour were increased by cover-crop, which fostered ripening, thus advancing harvest and reducing risks of fungi disease onset. On the other hand, grass competition for nitrogen lead to a reduction of assimilable nitrogen concentration in the must. In dry seasons, wine from cover-crop plots showed a decrease in alcohol concentration and a marked increase in total polyphenols and colour. Competitive cover-crop can be used to lower vine productivity, without additional costs, whenever yield limitation is required (i.e. high soil fertility, high vigorous rootstocks and cultivar combination, high bud-load, high rainfall during the season, etc.). Yield reduction depends on the season and can be due to a reduction in bud fertility in the seasons following hot and dry years or to a decrease in berry and cluster weights in dry seasons. | |
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