Facebook
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
Delicious
LinkedIn
StumbleUpon
Vineyard floor management affects soil, plant nutrition, and grape yield and quality
Authors
Richard SmithLarry Bettiga
Michael Cahn
Kendra Baumgartner
Louise E. Jackson
Tiffany Bensen
Authors Affiliations
R. Smith are Farm Advisors, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties; L. Bettiga are Farm Advisors, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties; M. Cahn are Farm Advisors, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties; K. Baumgartner is Research Plant Pathologist, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Department of Plant Pathology, UC Davis; L.E. Jackson is Professor and Cooperative Extension Specialist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC DavisL.E. Jackson is Professor and Cooperative Extension Specialist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; T. Bensen is Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Biology, University of Mississippi.Publication Information
Hilgardia 62(4):184-190. DOI:10.3733/ca.v062n04p184. October 2008.
PDF of full article, Cite this article
Abstract
Management of the vineyard floor affects soil and crop productivity, as well as runoff and sediment that leave the vineyard. In Monterey County, weed control is typically conducted in a 4-foot-wide area under the vines, while cover crops are planted in the middles between vine rows. This 5-year multidisciplinary study in a low rainfall vineyard evaluated the impact of weed control strategies (cultivation, pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides) in the vine rows, factorially arranged with three cover-crop treatments in the middles. We studied soil compaction, moisture and runoff; vine and soil nutrition; soil microbial biomass and mycorrhizae; and grape yield and quality. The late-maturing 'Trios 102' triticale used more water during the vine growing season than the earlier maturing 'Merced' rye. Cover crops increased organic matter and microbial biomass in the middles and reduced sediment loss. Weed control treatments did not affect crop yield or soil nutritional and microbiological parameters, but cultivation increased soil compaction at 4 to 7 inches deep. Weed control strategies and cover crops must be chosen carefully to maximize benefits and minimize negative environmental impacts.
References
Baumgartner K, Smith R, Bettiga L. Weed control and cover crop management affect mycorrhizal colonization of grapevine roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spore populations in a California vineyard. Mycorrhiza. 2005. 15:111-9. doi:10.1007/s00572-004-0309-2 https://doi.org/doi:10.1007/s00572-004-0309-2 PubMed PMID: 15133724
Bettiga L, Smith R, Cahn M, Tourte L. Evaluation of the long-term impact of vineyard floor management practices on crop production and quality, weed control, soil and water parameters, and the economic of wine grape production. Viticulture Consortium Final Research Report. 2006. UCCE Monterey County, 44 p.
Costello MJ, Daane KM. Influence of ground cover on spider populations in a table grape vineyard. Ecol Entomol. 1998. 23(1):33-40. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2311.1998.00108.x https://doi.org/doi:10.1046/j.1365-2311.1998.00108.x
Hembree KJ, Ingels CA, Lanini WT. Weed management. 2006. UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines. www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r302700111.html .
Ingels CA, Bugg RL, McGourty GT, Christensen LP (eds.). Cover Cropping in Vineyards: A Grower's Handbook. 1998. Oakland, CA.: ANR Pub 3338. 412 p.
Ingels CA, Scow KM, Whisson DA, Drenovsky RE. Effects of cover crops on grapevines, yield, juice composition, soil microbial ecology, and gopher activity. Am J Enol Vitic. 2005. 56(1):19-29.
Johnson D, Vandenkoornhuyse PJ, Leake JR, et al. Plant communities affect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity and community composition in grassland microcosms. New Phytol. 2004. 161:503-15. doi:10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00938.x https://doi.org/doi:10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00938.x
Kabir Z, Koide RT. Effect of autumn and winter mycorrhizal cover crops on soil properties, nutrient uptake and yield of sweet corn in Pennsylvania, USA. Plant Soil. 2002. 238:205-15. doi:10.1023/A:1014408723664 https://doi.org/doi:10.1023/A:1014408723664
Lanini T, Bendixen W. Characteristics of important vineyard weeds. 1992. In: Flaherty DL, Christensen LP, Lanini WT, et al. (eds.). Grape Pest Management (2nd ed.). ANR Pub 3343. Oakland, CA, 412 p.
Matthews MA, Ishii R, Anderson MM, O'Mahony M. Dependence of wine sensory attributes on vine water status. J Sci Food Agric. 1990. 51:321-35. doi:10.1002/jsfa.2740510305 https://doi.org/doi:10.1002/jsfa.2740510305
McGourty GT, Christensen LP. Cover cropping systems and their management. 1998. In: Ingels CA, Bugg RL, McGourty GT, Christensen LP (eds.). Cover Cropping in Vineyards: A Grower's Handbook. ANR Pub 3338, Oakland, CA. p 43–57.
Patrick AE, Smith P, Keck K, Berry AM. Grapevine uptake of 15N-labeled nitrogen derived from a winter-annual leguminous cover-crop mix. Am J Enol Vitic. 2004. 55:187-90.
Shrestha A, Hembree KJ, Va N. Growth stage influences level of resistance in glyphosate-resistant horseweed. Cal Ag. 2007. 61:67-70.
Tesic D, Keller M, Hutton RJ. Influence of vineyard floor management practices on grapevine vegetative growth, yield, and fruit composition. Amer J Enol Vitic. 2007. 58:1-11.
Vance ED, Brookes PD, Jenkinson DS. An extraction method for determining soil microbial biomass. C. Soil Bio Biochem. 1987. 19:703-7. doi:10.1016/0038-0717(87)90052-6 https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/0038-0717(87)90052-6
Also in this issue:
Tip Length Models for Major Commercial California ConifersWine grapes go green: The Sustainable Viticulture Story
Research fuels sustainable viticulture revolution
Nest boxes can attract wildlife to vineyards
Agro-environmental partnerships facilitate sustainable wine-grape production and assessment
Sidebar: Interest in organic winegrowing is increasing
Innovative outreach increases adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices in Lodi region
Decision support tool seeks to aid stream-flow recovery and enhance water security
Sidebar: Collaborative conservation helps achieve regional water-quantity goals
Leafroll disease is spreading rapidly in a Napa Valley vineyard
Botryosphaeria-related dieback and control investigated in noncoastal California grapevines
Sidebar: Vine surgery tested as management strategy for
Vineyard managers and researchers seek sustainable solutions for mealybugs, a changing pest complex
Sidebar: Pomace management reduces spread of vine mealybugs
Sidebar: Studies needed of vectors spreading leafroll disease in California vineyards
Liquid baits control Argentine ants sustainably in coastal vineyards
Self-reseeding annual legumes evaluated as cover crops for untilled vineyards
Soil-landscape model helps predict potassium supply in vineyards
Vineyard nutrient needs vary with rootstocks and soils