Vicia sativa Roth. Can Reduce Soil and Water Losses in Recently Planted Vineyards (Vitis vinifera L.)

Abstract

Elevated soil loss and runoff rates can reduce soil fertility; therefore, soil erosion control strategies must be implemented at the hillslope and watershed scale when plantations are established and the soil is bare. In this research, we propose the use of the Vicia sativa Roth. to reduce the soil losses during the first year to control the peak of soil erosion after the plantation in tilled vineyards. To test its efficiency, rainfall simulation experiments were carried out with field surveys in The Casa Pago Gran, in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula. Our results demonstrate that soil properties (organic matter and soil bulk density) and soil erosion (soil loss, runoff and sediment concentration) were significantly different between the control plot (tilled) and with cover crops along with August 2016, 2017 and 2018 measurement periods, but not during January 2016, coinciding with the initial survey before the vetch sown. Runoff initiation was delayed in 3.7 times after 3 years (from 190 till 709 s). The runoff discharge was reduced by the Vicia sativa from 32.87 till 13.68%, the sediment concentration went down from 18.54 till 3.81 gr l−1 and the soil erosion from 3.36 to 0.29 Mg ha−1 year−1. An increase in soil bulk density was registered but did not affect the runoff generation either the soil losses, that was reduced by the plant cover. We conclude that it is necessary to include soil erosion control measures such as the use of Vicia sativa to reduce soil erosion processes during the first stages of the vineyard plantations due to the soil quality improvements and the reduction in soil and water losses.

Preliminary Effects of Crop Residue Management on Soil Quality and Crop Production under Different Soil Management Regimes in Corn-Wheat Rotation Systems

“…Ulmer et al [114] also reported that residue removal did not affect corn, soybean, and bean yields. These successful results can be compared to other strategies applied in recent research, such as the use of cover crops, where water availability and crop production were higher than leaving the soil bare [115,116].…”

The 3Ps (Profit, Planet, and People) of Sustainability amidst Climate Change: A South African Grape and Wine Perspective

“…Consequently, this leads to a loss of soil fertility, soil quality, and loss of ecosystem services [120]. It should be noted, however, that extensive soil loss is not limited to vineyards; different authors have reported similar problems in various other crops [121][122][123][124]. Research has suggested that soil loss in vineyards is above the level that amounts to tolerable soil loss, less so for older vineyards with more organic matter content and higher bulk density in relation to younger vineyards [125] Moreover, accurately measuring soil loss in vineyards is fraught with difficulties, because different methodologies available tend to give different results.…”

Effect of Ridge Height, Row Grade, and Field Slope on Nutrient Losses in Runoff in Contour Ridge Systems under Seepage with Rainfall Condition

“…However, this optimal design requires further verification in field because nutrient loss was studied at a plot scale in our experiment. Importantly, to improve rainwater collection and soil conservation, modifications have been applied in contour ridge system, such as double furrows with raised beds [ 56 ], plastic film mulching [ 57 ], the use of catch crops [ 58 ], tied ridge [ 59 ]. Moreover, changes to the drainage layout have been considered to reduce seepage occurrence to further control nutrient loss, such as leading the water flow to converge in the form of a “V”, or to shunt in an inverted “V” [ 60 ].…”