Abstract
This work seeks to synthesise the knowledge on the use of cover crops in vineyards in the last 20 years, emphasising on the one hand, soil characteristics such as nutrition, organic carbon, structure or erosion and, on the other hand, environmental factors such as soil and biodiversity in vineyards, and gas emissions.A systematic review was made using Scopus-index journals for the past 20 years (1999 - 2018). The selection was independently done by two researchers, selecting a total of 272 published papers related to cover crops in the vineyard. Each article was categorised according to its theme and metadata were created, considering all relevant information from an agro-ecological point of view.The use of cover crops has a positive effect on the vineyard by increasing soil organic carbon (SOC), improving water infiltration and aggregate stability, and reducing erosion and greenhouse gases emission to the atmosphere. Furthermore, there is an increase in biodiversity, both in soil and the vineyard. Finally, cover crops do not constitute as a rule a major competition for nutrients to the vines except for nitrogen when grass covers are used. Contrarily, legume cover crops generally increase N in the soil, although its availability for plants is not immediate.This review constitutes an objective tool to help growers when considering the use of cover crops in vineyards that, based in a systematic review, provides relevant information depending on the characteristics of the growing condition of the vineyard.
Highlights
The planting schemes commonly used in viticulture, especially trellised systems, leave a large portion of the soil surface uncultivated
The management of vineyard soils through cover crops shows a growing trend worldwide, even in areas where their use was limited in the past due to lack of rainfall, it is very convenient to set the balance between the pros and cons
The systematic review performed has allowed a complete synthesis of the knowledge generated in the last two decades regarding the influence of cover crops on soil characteristics and biodiversity in vineyards
Summary
The planting schemes commonly used in viticulture, especially trellised systems, leave a large portion of the soil surface uncultivated. The management of vineyard soils through cover crops shows a growing trend worldwide, even in areas where their use was limited in the past due to lack of rainfall, it is very convenient to set the balance between the pros and cons. This is relevant since there is a great diversity in what can be considered a “cover cropping” in a vineyard. The information related to soil characteristics and environmental aspects is presented, whereas a companion compiled and discussed the impact of cover crops on vineyard performance. It is perceived that cover crops can compete with vines for soil nutrients (Celette et al, 2009; Steenwerth and Belina, 2008)
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