Evaluation of the Effect of Deep Compost Application in the Areas around Vineyard Tree Trunks on Selected Soil Chemical Properties and the Vegetative Growth of the Vine

Abstract

In the context of sustainability, viticulture will address issues related to soil fertility in the coming period. Greater attention will therefore be paid to replacing traditional manure-based fertilisers, such as farmyard manure, with new types of fertiliser in the form of composts, digestate, etc. Experience to date suggests that good-quality composts are not only a source of nutrients that the vines take from the soil each year, but also a source of organic matter. The application of compost and its subsequent decomposition in the soil profile can have a positive effect on the growth of the roots and above-ground parts of the vine. However, optimising the effects and action of compost is linked to determining the necessary doses and methods of application. The aim of this three-year study was to provide an overview of the results aimed at evaluating the effects of the application of compost (CO) and compost enriched with the addition of lignohumate (CO+L20), at a rate of 30 t·ha−1, in the areas around vineyard tree trunks on selected soil chemical properties and the vegetative growth of the vine (Vitis vinifera L.). The unfertilised variant (CWC) was used as a control. Each variant was established in three replicates that were 20 m long. Experimental measurements and evaluation were carried out in the period of 2018–2020 on two sites with different soil conditions (Lednice and Velké Bílovice) and two different grape varieties (Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris). Meteorological data were continuously monitored during the period under review. Chemical properties of the soil samples of the three experimental variants were determined (e.g., content of organic carbon, humic acids, humic substances, humification rate, etc.). The evaluations that were carried out confirmed that the addition of organic matter in the form of composts to the soil in the CO and CO+L20 variants positively influenced the quality of organic matter. The organic carbon content increased by 56–139% in variants with deep compost application (CO, CO+L20) during the monitored period compared to the CWC, depending on the location. Similarly, the degree of humification increased by 70–84%, and the soil microbial biomass increased by 38–136% in the treated variants compared to the CWC. In addition to the dynamics of the changes in the chemical properties, the aim of the performed measurements was to evaluate the rate of the growth shoots, which was linked to the fertilizing effects of the applied compost in the experimental vineyard. At the site in Velké Bílovice, the total difference in the length of the shoots was higher in the CO by 2.6–4.6% and in the CO+L20 by 7.5–12.5% compared to the CWC. At the site in Lednice, the situation was similar, and the total difference in the length of the shoots was higher in the CO by 4.6–7.2% and in the CO+L20 by 5.3–13.2%. The results that were obtained may constitute an important basis for the management of organic fertilization on plots with different soil conditions and cultivated varieties in order to optimize the vegetative growth of the vine.

Green Waste Compost Impacts Microbial Functions Related to Carbohydrate Use and Active Dispersal in Plant Pathogen-Infested Soil

“…This was puzzling because frequently compost increases soil nitrogen content [ 24 , 25 , 47 ]. However, compost rarely does not significantly increase nitrogen concentration, so our results are not vastly different from others [ 12 , 23 ]. Green waste compost often increases soil K and P concentrations [ 24 – 26 ].…”

“…In the greenhouse experiment, 3 weeks after compost application, abundance was slightly increased but only after 8 weeks did 10% compost significantly increase bacterial abundance. Other studies report an increase in microbial biomass, so it was surprising to see that bacterial abundance in the growth chamber experiments did not respond to 10% compost (Table 3 ) [ 23 , 24 ]. Bacterial diversity and richness also proved to be unpredictable.…”

“…To understand how compost suppresses plant pathogens, it is important to know how compost effects other soil microorganisms. As one might expect, adding various green waste composts that can increase organic matter (OM) tends to increase microbial biomass [ 23 , 24 ]. Green waste compost often significantly alters microbial community composition regardless of whether microbial diversity and richness increase or not [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Effect of Adding Organic Fertilizer (Humus) Perl Humus on some Vegetative Growth Characteristics of Grape Cultivars Shatur Al-anz and Olivette Noire (Vitis Vinifera L.)

“…This results in an increase in leaf area and a corresponding increase in mineral and chemical content. The dry matter content increases in parallel with the increase in leaf area [22,27] The increase in leaf area can be explained by the increase in vegetative growth due to the increase in the length of the main branches, which leads to an increase in leaf area. Additionally, the increase in leaf area can be attributed to the role of humic materials in improving the physical and chemical conditions of the soil and increasing the supply of nutrients to the vines.…”

“…The results showed that the addition of organic nitrogen at a rate of 75% and the addition of one of the humic acids at a rate of 25% significantly increased the vegetative growth, achieving a significant increase in leaf area. Showed [22] the effect of the use of two types of organic fertilizer, CO compost and L20 (humic materials and organic carbon), on the vegetative growth of two grape varieties, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, at two different locations. The results showed that the CO+L20 treatment achieved the highest significant superiority in branch length at a value of 12.5% and 13.2% for the first and second locations, respectively, compared to the control treatment.…”