Effect of incorporated or mulched compost on leaf nutrient concentrations and performance of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot

Abstract

Compost can reduce evaporation and increase nutrient uptake by plants, but it is not clear if it can increase soil water holding capacity or stimulate leaf gas exchange, water use efficiency and yield of vines. To study these effects, compost from garden and food waste was incorporated or mulched in a vineyard at a rate of 100 m 3 ha -1 , three months before the measurements. The vineyard received irrigation during spring and summer. Soil water content was monitored regularly with a capacitance probe. Photosynthesis, transpiration, stem water potential and leaf area index were measured several times during the vegetation period. At harvest, yield, berry weight and quality as well as chlorophyll, N, P and K concentrations in leaves were determined. Only mulched compost increased soil water content at 10 cm depth, but the water content in the deeper layers was not affected by compost addition. Compost also did not affect transpiration rate and stomatal conductance during the vegetation period, but mulched compost increased the photosynthesis per plant at flowering, pea size and maturity periods. Compost amendment, particularly mulching, increased yield, specific berry weight, and leaf N and P concentrations, and reduced the number of chlorotic leaves at harvest. Berry quality was not affected by compost amendment. It can be concluded that mulched compost has a positive effect on grapevine yield and can be an alternative fertiliser source for vines with no adverse effect on berry quality.

Improving water use efficiency of vineyards in semi-arid regions. A review

“…In a recent study, Zhang et al (2014) showed interesting results on potted grapevines about improvements of WUEc and yield by applying rice-straw mulch. On the other hand, Nguyen et al (2013) did not find higher soil water content in compost-mulched grapevines, but presented higher yield. Nevertheless, measurements by our group showed that direct soil evaporation can be up to 20 % of water consumption, so covered soil may result in greater plant water availability (Buckerfield and Webster 2001).…”

“…A recent review by Guerra and Steenwerth (2012) showed how the use of organic mulches increased yields and reduced pathogen and pest pressure. Furthermore, Nguyen et al (2013) showed how natural compost mulch increased grape yield with no adverse effects on grape quality. Other studies also reported a higher yield of mulched grapevines compared to other soil management practices (Buckerfield and Webster 2001;Fourie 2011).…”

“…The reported advantages of mulching in vineyards include the following: (i) nutrient release efficiency and better plant nutrient status, enabling a reduction in fertilizer application (Agnew et al 2002(Agnew et al , 2005Ross 2010;Nguyen et al 2013); (ii) weed control, which enables reduction in herbicide application (Elmore et al 1998;Frederikson et al 2011;Steinmaus et al 2008); (iii) prevention of soil erosion by improving soil structure and decrease soil compaction (Agnew et al 2002;Göblyös et al 2011;Némethy 2004), and (iv) increasing vineyard biodiversity, which can, in turn, encourage beneficial insects to prevent pests (Huber et al 2003;Nicholls et al 2001;Thomson and Hoffmann 2007). A recent review by Guerra and Steenwerth (2012) showed how the use of organic mulches increased yields and reduced pathogen and pest pressure.…”

Current overview on the study of bacteria in the rhizosphere by modern molecular techniques: a mini‒review

“…It is also possible the presence of low abundance bacterial group with specific metabolic capabilities and/or adapted to the characteristic of specific plant species rhizosphere, which make that process of soil DNA extraction to be insufficient to be detected. In addition, studies have described the influence of agriculture practices and soil pH on bacterial community composition Jorquera et al, 2014;Pisa et al, 2011;Malik et al, 2013;Chen et al, 2013;Nguyen et al, 2013), as well as the occurrence of bacteria species having dependence on other rhizosphere microorganisms for their own growth (Hirsch et al, 2010).…”

Identifying the future water and salinity risks to irrigated viticulture in the Murray-Darling Basin, South Australia

“…The K c coefficients for grapevine for local conditions were obtained from the Irrigation Recording and Evaluation System (IRES) developed by the Crop Management Service (Rural Solutions SA, 2011). The leaf area index (LAI) for grapevine was taken from Nguyen et al (2013), which was estimated in a local vineyard. Similar K c and LAI values were adopted every year, assuming similar canopy and wellgrown vine conditions.…”