Project Number
WW 02-06
Project title
Evaluation of Soil Management Practices in a Wine Grape Vineyard at Robertson Specifically for Competition and Environmental Effects
Project leader
Fourie, J C
Team members
Louw, P J E
Project description
Fourteen soil management practices are being evaluated in a field trial near Robertson for their effects on a Chardonnay vineyard and the soil. The treatments include different cover crop species and combinations thereof to which different cover crop management practices are being applied. These treatments are compared to two treatments in which the natural weeds are controlled mechanically and chemically, respectively.
Triticale (sowing density of 100 kg. ha-1) produced more than five tons of dry matter per hectare, on this medium textured soil after being sown for eight consecutive years. Triticale combined with full surface chemical control at budbreak and after veraison, controlled the summer growing weeds effectively. The herbicide dosage applied in this treatment before bud break was reduced by 50% for the third consecutive season. Effective seasonal weed control was achieved with a straw mulch combined with full surface chemical weed control after veraison. A significant decrease in grape production, especially in the straw mulch treatment, occurred this season. Financially, however, this treatment still remains profitable to apply. The level of nitrogen in the must of the treatment in which perennial ryegrass was established, was less than 500 mg.l -1. This may have a negative effect on wine quality.
Some treatment effects are becoming more pronounced whilst others are fading, indicating that soil management practices have an effect on grapevine performance that manifest in the long term. Some of the data can be published and passed on to the producer. The project should continue, to determine the sustainability of the soil cultivation practices, the effect thereof on grapevine performance, soil mineral content, soil organic matter en economic viability in the long term.
Poster(s)
Herbst, K and Fourie, J C. 2001. Economic viability of different soil cultivation practices in the Breede River Valley. Poster presented at the Congress of the South African Society of Agricultural Technologists. 18-20 September, Knysna, South Africa.
Freitag, K, Fourie, J V and Osche, C H. 2009. Effect of different soil cultivation practices on soil temperature in the 0-200mm soil layer of a medium textured vineyard soil. Poster presented at the 32nd National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture. 12 December, Somerset West, South Africa.
Presentation(s)
Herbst, K and Fourie, J C. 2001. Economic viability of different soil cultivation practices in the Breede River valley. Paper presented at the South African Society for Agricultural Technologists Conference. 18-20 September, Knysna, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2001. Die gebruik van dekgewasse in ‘n geïntregreerde benadering tot wyndruifverbouing in die Breëriviervallei. Presentation at the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Short Course. 17 October, Goudini, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2002. The use of cover crop in an integrated approach to wine grape cultivation in the Breede River Valley. Presentation at the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Short Course, 17 October, Goudini, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2002. Cover crop management in vineyards and orchards. Conservation Tillage Workshop on Fruit, Grapes and Vegetables. Presentation to the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape. 27 August, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2002. Evaluation of soil cultivation practices in a wine grape vineyard in Robertson. Presentation at the Winetech Information Day. 4 September, Robertson, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2003. Cover crops: perennial vs annual species. Presentation at the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture: Wine and Vine Forum. 25 April, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2003. Cover crop management in the vineyards and orchards of the Western Cape. Presentation at the Nexus Farmers’ Day, 21 May, Paarl, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2004. Integrated weed control in a sustainable manner. Presentation to the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee Meeting. 15 October, Robertson, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2005. Weed control and the use of cover crops in the Little Karoo. Presentation at the Winetech VinPro Information Day. 22 March, Calitzdorp, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2007. Cover crops in vineyards and orchards. Presentation at the Bien Donne Agricultural Expo. 2 November, Paarl, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2007. Effect of soil management practices on the soil, weeds and performance of perennial crops. Presentation at the UAP Training Day. 25 July, Paarl, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2007. The effect of cover crop management on the soil and the performances of perennial crops. Presentation at the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Soil Science Information Session. 20 June, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2007. Soil cultivation in perennial crops: the status quo. Presentation at the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Soil Science Information Session. 25 May, Stellenbosch, South Arica.
Fourie, J C. 2007. Soil cultivation strategy for integrated weed control: Factors that should be taken into account. Presentation at the Nexus Grapevine Training Day. 24 May, Paarl, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2007. Soil cultivation research at ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. Presentation to the ARC Council. 17 May, Stellenbosch, South Arica.
Fourie, J C. 2007. The effect of cover crop management practices on the performance of cover crops in the cooler and warmer climatic regions of South Africa. Presentation at the Worcester and Breedekloof Post Harvest Information Day. 15 May, Worcester, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2010. The effect of different soil cultivation practices on the soil and the performance of wine grapes. Presentation at the UAP Crop Care Information Day. 2 March, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2010. Cover crop management – status quo. Presentation to the Agricol Technical Staff. 30 July, Bellville, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2010. Soil cultivation research at ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. Presentation at the Soil and Water Science Information Day. 22 July, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2010. Summary of soil cultivation research with special emphasis on soil temperature, weed control and cover crop guidelines for the different wine grape regions. VinPro Information Day. 10 September, Paarl, Stellenbosch.
Fourie, J C. 2010 Advantages of cover crop management. Information Day Robertson – Rawsonville, UAP Crop Care. 21 September, Robertson, South Africa.
Fourie, J C. 2009. Weed control efficacy of different soil cultivation practices on a medium textured vineyard soil in the Breede River valley. Presentation at the 32nd National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture. 12 December, Somerset West, South Africa.
Article
Fourie, J C, Ochse, C H. 2002. A covered herbicide sprayer has advantages for the grape producer, WineLand, Mnth Jun (p. 11-12)
Fourie, J C. 2010. Soil management in the Breede River Valley wine grape region, South Africa. Part I. Cover crop performance and weed control, South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture, v. 31 (p. 14-21)
Article.pdf
Fourie, J C, Freitag, K. 2010. Soil management in the Breede River Valley wine grape region, South Africa. Part II: Soil temperature, South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture, v. 31 (2) (p. 165-168)
Article.pdf
Fourie, J C. 2011. Soil management in the Breede Rivier Valley wine grape region, South Africa. Part III. Grapevine performance, South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture, v. 32 (1) (p. 60-70)
Article.pdf
Fourie, J C. 2012. Soil management in the Breede River Valley wine grape region, South Africa. Part IV. Organic matter content and macro-nutrient content of a medium textured soil, South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture, v. 32 (1) (p. 105-114)
Article.pdf
Dissertation
Brink, D. 2007. The effect of different surface management practices on the root distribution of grapevines. PhD. University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Paper
Fourie, J C, Louw, P J E. 1997. Effect of soil management practices on the performance of young grapevines under irrigation, IN: Fotyma, M., Jozefaciuk, A., Malicki, L. and Borowiecki, J. (eds). Proceedings of the Agro-ecological and Ecological Aspects of Soil Tillage: Bibliotheca Fragmenta Agronomica. TOM 2A/97 338, (p. 231-234)