Abstract
The responses in soil conditions, vine growth, and physiological, yield and quality components of cv. Uva di Troia to the application of synthetic and organic mulches were studied in this experiment for two years (2006–2007 and 2007–2008). The effects of the application in the vine rows of two synthetic mulches (geotextile as polypropylene and black polyethylene) and an organic one (exhausted olive pomace 3- and 6-cm tick) were compared to a control (weed mowing) in an organic vineyard. Throughout the trial, we conducted soil and leaf analyses, weed surveys, and measured vegetative activity, leaf gas exchange and water status, yield and quality components and phytotoxicity tests. The exhausted olive pomace showed positive effects on some soil fertility variables and on vine physiology (stomatal conductance, transpiration and net assimilation). Black polyethylene and geotextile provided good control of the weeds, especially in the first year, but positive results were also obtained with the exhausted olive pomace. Components of yield and quality variables of grape were unaffected by any of the organic and synthetic mulches compared to weed mowing. The exhausted olive pomace provided good control of weeds, improved the fertility of the soil and it could be acceptable from a sustainability point of view. The mode of action of the exhausted olive pomace was both physical and phytochemical through the release of phytotoxic compounds.
Sign in for ASEV members
ASEV Members, please sign in at ASEV to access the journal online.
Sign in for Institutional and Non-member Subscribers
Log in using your username and password
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 2 day for US$10.00
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.