COVER CROPS in South African Vineyards

CHAPTER 3 COVER-CROP SELECTION

Ripgut brome ( Bromus diandrus ) Ripgut brome is an annual grass. Originally from the Mediterranean, it has spread to many parts of the world, including theWestern and Eastern Cape in South Africa. It forms loose tussocks and can grow up to 75 centimetres tall. The leaves at the base of the tussock die back as the grass matures. A purple band occurs where the leaf-sheath merges into the leaf-blade. The leaf-sheaths and -blades are sparsely to densely hairy, and the leaf-blade has a pointed end.The inflorescence is loosely branched, and the flower spikelets are characterised by exceptionally long, purple-tinged awns.

FIGURE 3.25. Ripgut brome ( Bromus diandrus ). (Photos: ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij & Anna Mouton). Common wild oats ( Avena fatua ) Common wild oats is an annual grass from Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia. It now occurs widely in temperate parts of the world, including throughout much of sub-SaharanAfrica. Common wild oats looks like other species of oats. It can grow up to 90 centimetres tall. The leaf-sheaths and -blades are hairy, and the leaf-blade has a pointed end. The inflorescence is open and the flower spikelets hang down.

FIGURE 3.26. Common wild oats ( Avena fatua ). (Photos: ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij & Anna Mouton).

74