COVER CROPS in South African Vineyards

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COVER CROPS IN SOUTH AFRICAN VINEYARDS

medic

6,00

5,00

4,00

Pink serradella Paraggio bur medic Grazing vetch Parabinga bur medic Weeds

3,00

2,00

1,00

Dry matter in tonnes per hectare

0,00

1993 1994 1995*

1996 1997 1998*

1999 2000* 2001 2002

Year

ick Which cover crops were successful? Average annual dry-matter production for all the cover crops in the vineyard trial is illustrated in Figure 3.23. The average dry-matter production of the natural weed stand is given for comparison. FIGURE 3.22. Annual dry-matter production of legume cover crops in vineyard trials in the Olifants River valley. *Years in which canal maintenance interrupted irrigation. Adapted from Fourie et al (2005). medick

Weeds Triticale Overberg oats Parabinga bur medic Grazing vetch Black oats Paraggio bur medic Pink serradella Rye

1,04

1,22

1,74

1,92

2,29

2,55

2,82

3,16

3,29

1,50 2,00 Dry matter in tonnes per hectare

0,00

0,50

1,00

2,50

3,00

3,50

FIGURE 3.23. Average annual dry-matter production of all cover crops in vineyard trials in the Olifants River valley. Adapted from Fourie et al (2005). Based on the long-term vineyard trial, the selected cover crops for this region are ranked as follows: 1. Rye 2. Pink serradella

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