A growing number of winegrowers are planting various types of ground cover, reducing tillage and avoiding the use of herbicides. However, the challenges are manifold: yield and grape quality, plots unsuitable for mechanization, vegetation regulation, water and nitrogen stress, soil conservation, biodiversity promotion and climate change.
The aim of this project is to reduce these challenges through a better understanding of the underlying processes. In particular, connections between problems, production contexts and possible solutions will be analysed. The project is divided into three parts. The first is to assess the impact of herbicide-free practices on the soil, biodiversity, vines and grapes. This will enable the implementation of new cultivation procedures. The second part aims to gain a better understanding of innovative practices developed by practitioners within an on-farm network. This part also serves as a platform for knowledge transfer and a comparison with conservation agriculture and other perennial crops. The third part of the project takes place "on-station". A sophisticated measuring device will be used to show how the vines and the soil react to different cultivation measures that combine different soil cover and care methods.
Project manager
