Tillage Practices in the Context of Climate Change and a Sustainable Viticulture

Alina Dobrei,Alin Dobrei,Florin Sala,Eleonora Nistor

doi:10.15835/nsb749724

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the most appropriate options for maintenance of soil in vineyards located on flat land or mild slopes, and soils with a medium or high fertility. Tillage in the vineyard is carried out to preserve the soil loosening, for maintaining the humus and nutrients in soil, for activation of chemical and biological processes and last but not the least to maintain weed control. Choosing the most suitable system of vineyards floor management (middle rows, undervine, around vineyard) is a major problem which depends on preserving or enhancing soil fertility, improvement or worsening the soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics, ensuring water from soil and weed control. The experimental variants consisted of different practices of soil tillage, as follows: V1-bare row middles and grass strips/bare soil under vine; V2-bare soil/herbicides treatment under vine; V3-bare row middles/bare soil under vine; V4-bare row middles with ripped soil/bare soil under vine; V5- raw middles and grass strips/manual hoeing under vine; V6-bare row middles/rotary hoe under vine; V7-raw middles and grass strips/herbicides treatment under vine. Observations were made on ‘Burgund’ cultivar regarding buds viability, grape production, yield quality and sugar content. The highest yield per hectare was achieved in the soil with bare raw middles prepared with rotary hoe under vine (V6). On soils with moisture deficiency and a high content of clay, vineyards floor management is recommended to be maintained both under vine and on raw middles, as well with the adjustable rotary tiller.

Highlights

Viticulture and winemaking is practiced since ancient times in areas where climate and soil conditions for growing vines are most favorable (Tesic et al, 2007)
The vineyard floor management was different for experimental variants, as follow: V1– row middles and grass strip/bare soil by tillage under vine; V2 – bare soil by tillage floor between vines/herbicides treatment under vine; V3 – bare row middles soil tillage/bare soil by tillage under vine; V4 – bare row middles with ripped soil/bare soil tillage under vine; V5 – raw middles and grasses strip/manual hoeing under vine; V6 – bare row middles soil tillage/rotary hoe undervine; V7 – raw middles and grass strips/herbicides treatment undervine
Results obtained in ‘Burgund’ variety showed that the highest yield, sugar content and buds viability corresponded to V6, respectively floor management system

Summary

Introduction

Viticulture and winemaking is practiced since ancient times in areas where climate and soil conditions for growing vines are most favorable (Tesic et al, 2007). Sequin (1986) claimed that the quality of wine produced in Bordeaux and Médoc regions is primarily due to the soil. Growers often associate grapes and wine quality, with the type of soil on which the yield has been obtained (Carbonneau and Casteran, 1987a, 1987b; Gregory, 1963; Peynaud and Ribereau-Gayón, 1971; Rankine et al, 1971). Location and soil management are fundamental for a high quality vineyard. The most suitable locations for vineyards are those with well-structured soils, with optimum fertility and humidity, in order to provide a favourable environment for the root system development of the vines (Ohmart, 2011)

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion