Cover crop-based under-row dry mulching enhances phyllosphere and rhizosphere microbial biodiversity in a non-irrigated vineyard.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In viticulture, temporary cover crops and organic mulching are sustainable practices that enhance biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and strengthen grapevine health/resilience, particularly in Mediterranean regions. However, their impact on microbial communities associated with grapevines in non-irrigated vineyards remains largely unexplored. Inter-row soil management included a cereal-based cover crop (CC), a mixed cereals, legumes and brassicas cover crop (MC), and a control with alternating soil tillage and spontaneous grass (GT). In spring, cover crops were terminated to form a dry mulch under the vine rows.

Results

At veraison, under-row dry mulching significantly maintained higher soil water availability and reduced soil temperature by approximately 2.5 °

SUBMITTER: Canavera G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12905926 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature