terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 GiESCO 9 Vineyard mulching offer many benefits beyond winter protection

Vineyard mulching offer many benefits beyond winter protection

Abstract

Context and purpose of the study – Grapevines are susceptible to freezing damage at temperatures below -5°F during the winter season. Preventing winter injury to grapevines is a major challenge in many grape-producing regions. Conventional methods such as hilling-up soil over graft unions have been developed as winter protection methods for preventing vine loss. However, these practices have drawbacks such as soil erosion, vine damage and crown gall development.

Material and methods – Our study involved an alternative method using mulching. Plant-based mulches of wheat straw, corn stover, and miscanthus were applied and evaluated at experimental vineyard sites in Ohio in comparison to the conventional method of soil hilling. Temperatures were monitored at 0 and 10 cm above ground level within the applied mulches and soil from November 2019 to May 2020 and compared to the ambient air temperature monitored at 1.5 m above ground level.

Results – Winter protection with mulches was as effective as with soil hilling. Mulch treatments provided adequate winter protection comparable to the conventional soil hilling method by maintaining the temperatures at the graft unions above -2°C despite the ambient air temperature dropping below -15°C. In addition to winter protection, we observed the following benefits. Weed control improved with mulches vs. soil hilling. We also improved soil moisture to make vines less susceptible to drought periods. Soil properties have, in general, improved when using mulches as compared to soil hilling. Finally, mulches did not have any negative effect on yield or fruit quality. In summary, due to the additional benefits, mulching should be considered in commercial vineyards as it is a more sustainable grape production system.

DOI:

Publication date: July 5, 2023

Issue: GiESCO 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Imed Dami1*, Cathy Herms1, Megan Soehlen1, Diane Kinney1, Anirudh Akula2, Ajay Shah2

1Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University. 1608 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio
2Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University. 1608 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio

Contact the author*

Keywords

grapevine, mulch, winter protection, soil health, weed control, yield

Tags

GiESCO | GIESCO 2023 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Effect of foliar application of Ca, Si and their combination on grape volatile composition

Calcium (Ca) is an important nutrient for plants which plays key signaling and structural roles. It has been observed that exogenous Ca application favors the pectin accumulation and inhibition of polygalacturonase enzymes, minimizing fruit spoilage. Silicon (Si) is a non-essential element which has been found to be beneficial for improving crop yield and quality, as well as plant tolerance to diverse abiotic and biotic stress factors. The effect of Si supply to grapevine has been assessed in few investigations, which reported positive changes in grape quality and must composition.

Late winter pruning induces a maturity delay under temperature-increased conditions in cv. Merlot from Chile

Chile is considered vulnerable to climate change; and these phenomena affect several mechanisms in the grape physiology and quality. The global temperature increase affects sugar contents, organic acids, and phenolic compounds in grapes, producing an imbalance maturity. In this sense, an alternative to reduce the impact is to perform pruning after vine budburst, known as “Late Pruning” (LP).

Effect of two water deficit regimes on the agronomic response of 12 grapevine varieties cultivated in a semi-arid climate

The Mediterranean basin is one of the most vulnerable regions to Climate Change effects. According to unanimous forecasts, the vineyards of Castilla-La Mancha will be among the most adversely affected by rising temperatures and water scarcity during the vine’s vegetative period. One potential strategy to mitigate the negative impacts of these changes involves the identification of grapevine varieties with superior water use efficiency, while ensuring satisfactory yields and grape quality.

Influence of irrigation frequency on berry phenolic composition of red grape varieties cultivated in four spanish wine-growing regions

The global warming phenomenon involves the frequency of extreme meteorological events accompanied by a change in rainfall distribution. Irrigation frequency (IF) affects the spatial and temporal soil water distribution but its effects on the phenolic composition of the grape have been scarcely studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of four deficit irrigation frequencies of 30 % ETo: one irrigation per day (T01), two irrigations per week (T03), one irrigation per week (T07) and one irrigation every two weeks (T15) on berry phenolic composition at harvest.

Response of red grape varieties irrigated during the summer to water availability at the end of winter in four Spanish wine-growing regions: berry phenolic composition

Water availability is the most limiting factor for vineyard productivity under Mediterranean conditions. Due to the effects caused by the current climate change, wine-growing regions may face serious soil moisture conservation problems, due to the lower water retention capacity of the soil and higher soil irradiation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of soil recharge irrigation in pre-sprouting and summer irrigation every week (30 % ETo) from the pea size state until the end of ripening (RP) compared to exclusively summer irrigation every week (R) in the same way that RP, on berry phenolic composition at harvest.