COVER CROPS in South African Vineyards

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EMMA CARKEEK

LUCINDA HEYNS

COVER-CROP SELECTION

This chapter focuses on the results of regional cover- crop selection trials conducted in the Coastal region, Breede River valley, and Olifants River valley.The first step in these trials was the assessment of winter-growing plants that were known to produce significant amounts of dry matter.They were evaluated in open fields to determine their dry-matter production and weed-suppression ability.

The first part of this chapter presents information on the cover-crop plants that were assessed. The second part gives the results by region of open-land and vineyard selection trials conducted in the Coastal region, Breede River valley, and Olifants River valley, as well as of additional trials that were conducted in the Coastal region, Breede River valley, and Lower Orange River region. Trials evaluating the potential of winter-growing weeds and indigenous plants as cover crops are also discussed.

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