COVER CROPS in South African Vineyards

COVER CROPS IN SOUTH AFRICAN VINEYARDS

On the other hand, a grass-specific herbicide can be used to control problem winter-growing grass weeds during the legume rotation.This last-mentioned option is especially important where ryegrass is present in the vineyard. Ryegrass must be eradicated before it becomes established and should never be considered as a cover crop. Reference list Fourie JC. 2007. The evaluation and management of different grasses and legumes as potential cover crops in the vineyards of South Africa. Doctoral dissertation. Stellenbosch: University of Stellenbosch. Fourie JC, Louw PJE and Agenbag G. 2001. Effect of seeding date on the performance of grasses and broadleaf species evaluated for cover crop management in two wine grape regions of South Africa. South African Journal of Plant and Soil , 18(3), 118–127. Fourie JC, Louw PJE and Agenbag GA. 2006. Cover crop management in a Chardonnay/99 Richter vineyard in the Coastal wine grape region, South Africa. 1. Effect of two management practices on selected grass and broadleaf species. South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture , 27(2), 167–177. Fourie JC, Kruger DHM and Malan AP. 2015. Effect of management practices applied to cover crops with bio-fumigation properties on cover crop performance and weed control in a vineyard. South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture , 36(1), 146–153. Kruger DHM, Fourie JC and Malan AP. 2013. Cover crops with biofumi- gation properties for the suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes: a review. South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture , 34(2), 287–295. Little Karoo This region hosted a study byVan Huyssteen and colleagues on the effect of cover crops on soil conditions and weed control. Vineyard trials A trial examined whether a legume can be grown as a cover crop in a flood- irrigated vineyard. Broadleaf purple vetch was sown in March, and either allowed to ripen naturally, or sprayed with herbicide before grapevine bud- break in August.The vineyard was flood irrigated when half the available soil moisture was depleted.

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