Articles
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SEEDED COVER-CROP ON VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS, YIELD AND GRAPE AND WINE COMPOSITION OF ‘GRECHETTO’ GRAPEVINES IN CENTRAL ITALY
Article number
754_69
Pages
515 – 521
Language
English
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.
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.
Authors
A. Palliotti, A. Cartechini, D. Petoumenou, O. Silvestroni, S. Mattioli, J.G. Berrios
Keywords
Vitis vinifera L., tillage, soluble solids, vine growth
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