Technical Yearbook 2023

and likely to provide benefit for many years, the up-front costs will be prohibitive in some circumstances. Our year-one results appear very promising but there is still much to be learned. During spring 2022 we will be monitoring how the various cover crop species survived winter frosts and grazing by sheep. These are important aspects because the plants need to be in a vigorous state early in the season in order to prevent weed growth and provide habitat for beneficials. They also need to bloom as early as possible to attract and support parasitoids such as Trichogramma wasps so that the first generation of light brown apple moth is checked. Species such as buckwheat will require re-sowing each year. Further, it is important in such field trials to base conclusions on more than just a single season, especially since 2021-22 was so moist. If conditions become drier in the upcoming season it will, for example, provide an opportunity to assess cover crop vigour when vines are competing for water and see if they are less ‘thirsty’ than the grassy weeds they are replacing. Acknowledgement This work is supported by Australian grapegrowers and winemakers through their investment body, Wine Australia, with matching funds from the Australian Government. We thank See Saw Wines and Angullong Wines for hosting vineyard trials. 

Some native shrubs such as this Grevilia lanigera will grow too tall to be used under vines but have potential value as mid-row plants or for use in insectary plantings beside the vineyard. Like alyssum and Myoporum , laboratory studies showed that it provides nectar that boosts performance of parasitic wasps such as those that attack light brown apple moth and Australian grapevine moth.

Reference https://www.wineland.co.za/vineyard-biodiversity/

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2023