COVER CROPS in South African Vineyards

COVER CROPS IN SOUTH AFRICAN VINEYARDS

week of October. However, when water is scarce, it is better to control the cover crops before bud-break.

Summer tractor traffic will flatten the upright grasses over time. If a more instant mulch is re- quired, a roller can be used to flatten the grasses three weeks after being controlled chemically. Do not slash the dry cover crops, as it will promote breakdown of the cover-crop fibre, causing the mulch to deteriorate more quickly. Mechanical con- trol of the cover crop will nullify the advantages that the cover crops offer grapevines during the grape- vine-growing season. Reference list

DO NOT SLASH DRY COVER CROPS, AS IT WILL CAUSE THE MULCH TO DETERIORATE MORE QUICKLY.

Fourie JC, Louw PJE and Agenbag GA. 2001. Effect of seeding date on the performance of grasses and broadleaf species evaluated for cover crop man- agement in two wine grape regions of South Africa. South African Journal of Plant and Soil , 18 (3), 118-127. Fourie JC, Louw PJE and Calitz FJ. 2006. Effect of seeding date on the performance of grasses and broadleaf species evaluated for cover crop man- agement in the Breede River valley wine grape region of South Africa. South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture , 27 (1), 8-14.

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