COVER CROPS in South African Vineyards

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LUCINDA HEYNS

WEED CONTROL

Unchecked weed growth causes production losses by competing with grapevines for nutrients and water. Cover crops offer a biological method of non-specific weed control. However, cover crops must be matched to the weed spectrum of a site, and cover-crop management must complement other weed-control measures.

This chapter discusses the interaction between weeds and cover crops in trials conducted in the Breede River valley, Coastal region, Little Karoo, and Lower Orange River region. The effect of cover crops on winter- and summer-growing weeds is described. Changes in the species composition

of weeds due to management practices are also explored.

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