Effect of inter row management systems on organic carbon and soil physical soil health parameters in vineyards.

Inter rows in vineyards provide several functions, which may compete with each other. Thus, different strategies for maintaining inter rows are commonly applied, particularly in vineyards. On the one hand, greening in vineyard inter rows, with no or occasional tillage operations, improves soil structure and health through a range of effects from erosion protection to carbon sequestration. On the other hand, tillage of inter rows is applied to fulfil diverse functions ranging from weed and pest control to the prevention of water competition and water loss during episodes of droughts. However, this may affect soil health and structure parameters regulating essential soil functions.

This study investigated the effects of tillage intensity and green cover on soil organic carbon content and particular soil physical health parameters. 16 vineyards at eight sites in eastern Austria were sampled for bulk density, pore size distribution, percolation stability and soil hydraulic parameters in topsoil samples from 3 to 8 cm. For each site, the parameters were compared for a vineyard with high and a vineyard with low intensive managed inter rows.

Comparing high and low intensive managed inter rows showed that soil health parameters were generally better in vineyards with low intense management and green covers. In particular, soil organic carbon and percolation stability were significantly higher under low intensive soil management with a green cover. Soil bulk density and macropore flow were significantly higher under intensive tillage. However, no significant effects were measured for saturated hydraulic conductivity and pore size distribution.