Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/89494
VINEYARD SOIL & CELLAR include applying compost in row middles and incorporating it into the soil along with high organic- matter cover crops. There are many cover crop seed blends that are designed to gener- ate high organic-matter content. These often include barley and other grasses that establish early for erosion control and biomass generation, and also include nitro- gen-fixing species such as peas, vetch and bell beans that can add nitrogen to the soil. If an entire block is weak, it is preferable to use a high organic-matter mix in all rows, and spade or disc the cover crop in the fall. When the low-vigor section only represents a section of the block, it becomes more difficult to manage the vineyard floor differentially, but it could be worth it. For example, leaving a permanent cover crop in the healthier sections might be OK, but you may want to seed a high organic-matter cover crop in the weak sections and plan to cultivate it in the fall to minimize any compe- tition with the vines from a perma- nent cover crop. LAB ANALYSIS Differences in soil chemistry and Acrolon_3.5x5_BW_VineyardAndWinery managementAD_July.2012.pdf 1 8/1/2012 8:53:49 AM nutrient availability can impact the vine vigor. Lab soil analysis might reveal a difference in pH, which can greatly affect nutrient availability, and low pH can cause aluminum toxicity. Lime application can be used to increase soil pH, improve soil structure and water penetrabil- ity, enhance microbial activity, and improve the availability for uptake of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Lime must be incor- porated into the soil, especially if subsurface pH is low, and ripping the lime into the soil is preferred. When that is not an option, spad- ing or discing can be used. Too much lime can have a detrimental affect and render other nutrients less available; quantities to apply can be determined based on fac- tors including soil pH and cation exchange capacity. Soil lab analysis could reveal a specific nutrient deficiency or toxic- ity. Deficiencies can be addressed by applying that nutrient through foliar or soil-applied fertilizers. A boron deficiency, for instance, can be addressed through foliar boron applications, with care taken not to apply too much and induce toxicity. Potassium can be applied through foliar, drip irrigation and soil-applied methods. Toxicities or elevated levels of nutrients can be more challenging to address than deficiencies. Soils with high magnesium may cause reduced vine growth, potassium deficiency and poor soil structure. The analysis may also reveal an issue with salinity, which is sus- pected if the site is near a marshy area. In both cases, gypsum appli- cations can be used where soils C M Y CM MY CY CMY K • Calibration-free Temperature Control • Fermentation Status From Anywhere • Brix/Temp/Pump-over Tracking • Alarms via E-mail or Text • Production Software Interfaces • Cellar Temperature, Humidity & CO2 • Flexible Energy Management Tools 707 938-1300 WWW.ACROLON.COM Or visit us online for more information Call for a demonstration WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM NOV - DEC 2012 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT 41 ®