GiESCO 2019 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 GiESCO 9 GiESCO 2019 9 Untangling belowground response of grapevines to cover crop competition

Untangling belowground response of grapevines to cover crop competition

Abstract

Context and purpose of the study ‐ Cover crops are planted in vineyards for multiple benefits including soil conservation, weed management, regulation of grapevine vegetative growth, and improved fruit quality. In humid climates where inter‐row cover crops are standard management, we evaluated under‐ vine cover crops for beneficial reductions in vegetative growth. Several factors affect the impact of under‐vine cover crops on vine growth and productivity, including seasonal resource availability, vine age, and rootstock. To better understand these factors, we examined belowground processes that might clarify mechanisms of resource competition between grapevines and cover crops.

Material and methods ‐ Field examinations of mature vinifera and young inter‐specific hybrid grapevines grafted on two rootstocks varying in vigor, Riparia (Vitis riparia) and 101‐14 Mgt (Vitis riparia x Vitis rupestris), were conducted at three humid, eastern US vineyards. Both destructive (soil coring) and non‐destructive (minirhizotron technique) methods were used for root observations and analysis.

Results ‐ Roots of young and mature vines coped with under‐vine cover crop competition by avoiding shallow soil regions mainly colonized by cover crops roots, suggesting complementary use of water and nutrients. In mature vines, cover crop competition also induced shorter lifespan of grapevine roots, but did not affect root morphological traits, such as specific root length, diameter, mycorrhizal fungal colonization, and root branching. In contrast, young grapevine root systems responded to competition by increasing specific root length and decreasing absorptive root diameter, regardless of the rootstock. Although rootstocks displayed a similar belowground response, young vines grafted on the low‐vigor rootstock exhibited less growth reduction during the first year suggesting that tolerance of cover crop competition may be rootstock dependent. Overall, young grapevines growing with cover crops tended to have greater reductions in growth compared to mature vines, suggesting that vines acclimate to competition over multiple years.

DOI:

Publication date: June 22, 2020

Issue: GiESCO 2019

Type: Article

Authors

Michela CENTINARI (1), David EISSENSTAT (2), Suzanne FLEISHMAN (1,2), Anne KLODD (1,2,4), Taryn BAUERLE (5)

(1) Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
(2) Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
(4) Current affiliation: University of Minnesota, Andover, MN, USA
(5) School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

Contact the author

Keywords

Cover crops, plasticity, root distribution, Vitis

Tags

GiESCO 2019 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Analyse et modélisation des transferts thermiques dans un sol de vignoble. Effets des techniques culturales

Natural factors such as the environment in which the vine is grown play an important role in the quality of the wine. If you want to produce a good wine, it is indeed essential to produce quality grapes. To do this, we must enhance and optimize the terroir effect which, for the moment, plays a role that is not very well known. It is therefore essential, for example, to have scientifically established and well quantifiable relationships in order to have the system of areas of controlled origin accepted. R. Morlat (1989) and G. Seguin (1970) have already carried out studies on the role of certain soil factors on grape quality. In particular, they showed the importance of soil temperature and water content.

Intra-varietal diversity in cv. ‘Tempranillo Tinto’: phenological stages

‘Tempranillo Tinto’ is one of the most relevant grapevine cultivars worldwide. Despite its early ripening and relatively short vegetative cycle, which may not be ideal for high-quality grape and wine production in warming conditions, its long-standing cultivation has led to an intense multiplication by cuttings, which originated the high level of clonal variation currently available. Now, this intra-varietal diversity provides an interesting opportunity for cultivar improvement by identifying genotypes with better adaptation potential.

Radiation-associated effects on regulated deficit irrigation management in grapevine cv. Cabernet Sauvignon

The main challenge of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) research is to isolate the factors that come with RDI, the direct effect of plant water status from the indirect ones like increased radiation and temperature changes on the cluster zone. This study aims to isolate the effects of vine water status from the effects of increased radiation on the phenolic composition of grapes subjected to RDI.
A three-year study on an RDI experiment where radiation was controlled was implemented in a commercial vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile. Four RDI treatments based on partial evapotranspiration (ET) irrigation were established. Irrigation treatments were 100% ET, 70% ET, 50-100% ET (50% ET before veraison and 100% ET afterward), and 35-100% ET (35% ET before veraison and 100% ET afterward).

Grapevine cane pruning extract enhances plant physiological capacities and decreases phenolic accumulation in canes and leaves 

Vine cane extracts are a valuable byproduct due to their rich content of polyphenols, vitamins, and other beneficial compounds, which can affect and benefit the vine and the grapes. This study aims to evaluate the response of grapevine plants to irrigation with water supplemented with a vine cane extract, both at physiology response and phenolic composition in different parts of the plant (root, trunk, shoot, leaf, and berry).
Cane extract was obtained by macerating crushed pruning residues with warm water (5:1) and pectolytic enzymes. Two-year-old potted plants were irrigated with water (Control) while others were irrigated with cane extracts, either at 1:4 (w/v, cane extract/water; T 1:4) or at 1:8 (w/v, cane extract/water; T 1:8).

Geostatistical analysis of the vineyards in the canton of Geneva in relation to soil and climate

Soil and climate maps at the 1:10000 scales exist for more than 12’000 ha of Swiss vineyards. The use of these maps as consulting tools for growers remains difficult due to the complexity