Ground cover
In a bid to address soil erosion and competition from other plants while preserving the natural balance in the soil’s microscopic fauna and flora which naturally live together with vines, we are experimenting with ground cover.
Since we do not use weed-killers, we have turned to other ways of keeping competing vegetation in check. The plants growing among the old vines are currently simply cut with a strimmer.
In the newly planted vineyards, which are more extensive and where the young stocks are less able to withstand competition, we have chosen to experiment with an innovative technique. In among the stocks we have sown a small leguminous plant, bird’s-foot-trefoil or Lotus corniculatus, which only grows to a height of some 10 to 15 cm, and barely competes with the young vines, i.e. does not rob them of nutrients, light and air. It is self-sowing, drought resistant and will grow on poor soils. The space between the rows is left to the local vegetation and cut at regular intervals.
Trace elements
Trace elements, albeit present in minute quantities, play an indispensable role in the activation of certain enzymes which in turn play an essential part in promoting the functioning of the vine-stocks’ metabolism. In particular this affects the vine’s ability to resist pests and diseases and the ripening of the grapes. The absence of even one trace element can have adverse effects on the vines’ metabolism. The main elements present in the soil are Mg, B, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, (Magnesium, Boron, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc, but other, rarer ones, are also necessary. Indeed it is the balance between them that is so important, and the way in which they are administered.
Vines are usually grown on poor soils – indeed some are deficient, which causes a form of anaemia and overall weakening of the plant which in turn affects its disease-resistance and stops the grapes from ripening properly. This is why it is so important to analyse the soil in order to detect deficiencies and address them.
We are currently experimenting with a “cocktail” of rare trace-elements in order to enhance the vines’ health and vigour and thereby be able to even further reduce the number of treatments.
In a bid to address soil erosion and competition from other plants while preserving the natural balance in the soil’s microscopic fauna and flora which naturally live together with vines, we are experimenting with ground cover.
Since we do not use weed-killers, we have turned to other ways of keeping competing vegetation in check. The plants growing among the old vines are currently simply cut with a strimmer.
In the newly planted vineyards, which are more extensive and where the young stocks are less able to withstand competition, we have chosen to experiment with an innovative technique. In among the stocks we have sown a small leguminous plant, bird’s-foot-trefoil or Lotus corniculatus, which only grows to a height of some 10 to 15 cm, and barely competes with the young vines, i.e. does not rob them of nutrients, light and air. It is self-sowing, drought resistant and will grow on poor soils. The space between the rows is left to the local vegetation and cut at regular intervals.
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| The flowers of bird’s-foot-trefoil |
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| Bird’s-foot-trefoil, like all leguminous plants, produces small peas that self sow. More importantly, its roots have small nodules which host azotobacteria that turn the nitrogen taken from the air into fertilizing nitrates for the vines. Under-planting with Lotus corniculatus, if it proves viable, should become a labour-saving, self-supporting plant community that will need no mowing. In spring 2006 we applied this method to 3,500 sq m, and in 2007 to a further 2,800 sq m. |
Trace elements, albeit present in minute quantities, play an indispensable role in the activation of certain enzymes which in turn play an essential part in promoting the functioning of the vine-stocks’ metabolism. In particular this affects the vine’s ability to resist pests and diseases and the ripening of the grapes. The absence of even one trace element can have adverse effects on the vines’ metabolism. The main elements present in the soil are Mg, B, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, (Magnesium, Boron, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc, but other, rarer ones, are also necessary. Indeed it is the balance between them that is so important, and the way in which they are administered.
Vines are usually grown on poor soils – indeed some are deficient, which causes a form of anaemia and overall weakening of the plant which in turn affects its disease-resistance and stops the grapes from ripening properly. This is why it is so important to analyse the soil in order to detect deficiencies and address them.
We are currently experimenting with a “cocktail” of rare trace-elements in order to enhance the vines’ health and vigour and thereby be able to even further reduce the number of treatments.
