Soil fertility and vine nutrition

Abstract

Cover crops have direct and indirect effects on soil fertility and vine nutrition. Incorporation of leguminous green manure cover crops directly adds organic nitrogen to the soil. after mineralization, which begins within weeks after incorporation, this nitrogen is available for vine uptake. In contrast, nonleguminous cover crops often place competing demands on the vineyard nitrogen pool. Decomposition of high-carbon plants such as mature cereals and grasses may tie up nitrogen, making it unavailable for vines.