RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effects of Mulching Materials on Soil and Performance of cv. Nero di Troia Grapevines in the Puglia Region, Southeastern Italy
JF American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
JO Am. J. Enol. Vitic.
FD American Society for Enology and Viticulture
SP 269
OP 276
DO 10.5344/ajev.2011.11092
VO 63
IS 2
A1 Giuseppe Ferrara
A1 Mariano Fracchiolla
A1 Ziad Al Chami
A1 Salvatore Camposeo
A1 Cesare Lasorella
A1 Andrea Pacifico
A1 Adel Aly
A1 Pasquale Montemurro
YR 2012
UL http://www.ajevonline.org/content/63/2/269.abstract
AB The responses in soil conditions, vine growth, and physiological, yield, and composition components of cv. Nero di Troia to the application of synthetic and organic mulches were studied 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 mulch (exhausted olive pomace 3- and 6-cm thick) were compared to a control (weed mowing) in an organic vineyard. Throughout the trial, we conducted soil and leaf analyses, weed surveys, and phytotoxicity tests and measured vegetative activity, leaf gas exchange and water status, yield, and composition components. 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. Yield and composition components 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 could be acceptable in terms of sustainability. The mode of action of the exhausted olive pomace was both physical and phytochemical through the release of phytotoxic compounds.