Cover Crops Flashcards
What are impacts of cover crops?
Decreased dust and erosion
can be used in water management
increase water filtration
reduce leaching of nutrients through soil
improve soil aggregate stability
improve vineyard carrying capacity and accessability
imobilize nutrients
reduce impact of rainfall
reduce run-off
legume cover crops can fix nitrogen
produce organic matter
could host predatory insects
compete with undesirable weeds
are attractive
What are negative impacts of cover crops?
competition for water
competition for mineral nutrients
reduction of vineyard temperature, leading to frost risk
extra cultivation is more costly and has more compaction
What are the impacts of cover crops on vines?
damage bud through frost
poor growth of young vines
delay veraison and slow down ripening
reduction of herbacious character in wine
reduction of vigor and shading of fruit
improvement of berry composition
reduction of downy mildew
reduction of botrytis
What does soil organic matter consist of ?
decomposing residues
plant root exudates
worms
bacteria
yeasts
other microbial life
What do root exudates do?
regulate soil microbial community
encourage beneficial symbioses
change chemical and physical properties of soil
inhibit growth of competing plant species
5-21% of photosynthetically fixed carbon being transferred to the rhizosphere through root exodates.
What soil factors are influenced by increased OM?
soil tilth and structure
ph is moderated
increased nutritional balance
improves CEC
microbial activity
WHC
Water and air filtration
water drainage
stabilized soil moisture and temperature
