COVER CROPS in South African Vineyards

COVER CROPS IN SOUTH AFRICAN VINEYARDS

TABLE 2.3. Average mean daily temperature and monthly rainfall for the Keimoes area for 1996–1998. Data supplied by the ARC Institute for Soil, Climate and Water.

Average total monthly rainfall in millimetres

Average mean daily temperature in °C

Month

March

28.6

24.3 20.4 15.9 12.6 11.8 13.6

April May June

1.3

10.2

1.3 8.8 0.5

July

August

Soil types Boomplaas had sandy soils. Sand content was 91% at 0–300 millimetres and 90% at 300–600 millimetres, and clay content was less than 5% throughout. Irrigation practices All agriculture in this region relies on irrigation.Cover crops were grown under full-surface micro-sprinkler irrigation which was applied throughout winter. Cultivar and management Trials were conducted in a Sultanina vineyard on its own roots. The vines were trained onto a gable trellis system and were spaced 2.25 metres apart in rows 3.25 metres apart. Where else do these results apply? These results apply to the sandy soils of the semi-arid Lower Orange River region and to adjacent summer-rainfall regions. Cover-crop selection .............................................................................. p66 Cover-crop establishment . .................................................................... p81 Weed control ......................................................................................... p115 Pests ......................................................................................................... p173 Sowing dates and irrigation ................................................................. p181 Where to find details of trials in this region

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