Effect of nutrient cycle influenced by inter-row cover crops on the nutritional status of rustic grapevine

Abstract

The use of plants for permanent or partial coverage of soil in the vineyard inter-rows is a cultural practice used in various wine-growing regions since it is believed that the decomposition of cover crops’ straw on the soil surface can increase the availability of nutrients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutrient cycling of soil with cover rops in consortium with grapevine (Vitis labrusca L. cv. Isabel) cultivated in tropical regions, its nutritional status, and the soil fertility. The experiment was carried out in a vineyard of Isabel cultivar, and three species of ground cover crops were evaluated (Canavalia ensiformis L. DC, Dolichos lablab L., and weeds). Canavalia ensiformis L. DC was more effcient in nutrient accumulation in the canopy than the others. However, the release of nutrients was not statistically different among the cover plants used, being more influenced by the time of grapevine pruning. These coverages did not change the soil chemical properties in the three crop cycles of the two grapevines evaluated and did not affect their nutritional status at the blooming stage of the two harvest seasons evaluated.