Guidelines for maintaining sown inter-row vegetation in vineyards and orchards [Practice Abstract]
A flowering inter-row vegetation can only fulfil its potential in promoting beneficial arthropods when the sown flowering plant species are given the opportunity to bloom and produce ripe seeds. Therefore, maintaining a perennial species-rich inter-row vegetation requires some adjustments to the farmers’ mulching regime.
In the first year after sowing, our aim is to promote the establishment of sown vegetation and control vigorous weeds that emerge after soil disturbance. In this case, mulching has to be applied on demand, when emerging weeds grow too high. One important rule is to set the height of mulching at least 8centimeters or higher so the seedlings from the sowing can recover more easily, and to avoid exposing the soil surface.
From the second year, if the species of the mixture were selected properly, two or sometimes three mulching per year is sufficient. This frequency allows the sown species to bloom and produce ripe seeds, while also maintaining a well-kept plantation. In continental climates, the first mulching is advised in May, when shoots start to grow. This helps limit shoot growth, reducing the need for additional mulching in subsequent months. Depending on the amount of precipitation, the second mulching can be carried out in late July or August (or until harvest). Mulching three times a year is only advisable when the precipitation is high (more than 600 mm/year).
An advantageous practice is to keep every second or third sown inter-row intact by the first mulching so they can begin flowering a bit earlier. Afterward, they can be either mulched after two or three weeks or even kept intact until the second round if the inter-row vegetation is not too high.
It is important to note that biodiverse field margins, hedges, and other landscape elements are also vital parts of preserving biodiversity in farmlands. The effect of these practices can amplify each other, therefore implementing multiple practices is advisable where feasible.
Geographical location: Hungary
Find out more (in Hungarian): Virágos sorközvetések az Egri és Tokaji borvidékeken
Keywords: Biodiversity, Certification, Cover crops, Transdisciplinary research
Country: Hungary
