WINETECH Technical Yearbook 2020

Highlights of the 2019 Gen-Z cover crop demos

MAY 2020

EMMA CARKEEK: Vinpro, Paarl KEYWORDS: Gen-Z Vineyard Project, cover crop demos

grapevine roots and insects, as well as their response to climatic conditions remains a complex subject, requiring a great deal more scientific research, as well as experimentation by producers. Ascertaining what covers or mixtures are suitable to one’s farming system, soil type and climate necessitates a bit of trial and error. The need for localised information that is beneficial to a broad range of producers is one of the major reasons for the initiation of the cover crop demos under the Gen-Z Vineyard Project. The cover crop demos are not scientific experiments, but are rather field trials set up to demonstrate to producers what works and what doesn’t under a particular set of conditions. Furthermore, the demos serve to inform producers about new species and mixtures on the market.

The benefits of establishing a cover crop in the vineyard work row have been well documented and include increased soil organic matter, improved soil structure, enhanced microbial activity, reduced surface crusting, better water infiltration and weed suppression in some cases. While drawbacks, such as the cost of seed, increased susceptibility to frost and risk of fires, the likelihood of competition with grapevines and the attraction of pests are valid concerns, these seem to be outweighed by the numerous advantages despite many being unquantifiable in terms of rand value. Ultimately choosing to sow cover crops is a form of playing the long game in the goal towards achieving a more sustainable, diverse and resilient farming system. The establishment of cover crops, their interaction with soil microorganisms,

Producers at Klipdrift and Nuwerus demos (top) and Cavalli (bottom) demo sessions.

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