Influence of Different soil Management Effects on Chemical Parameters and Soil Enzyme Activities in a Long-Time Viticultural Trial. Part I: The Lanes

Soil tillage and management concepts are basic operations in viticulture because with both interventions the viticultural ecosystem can shift to a stable and sustainable production system or in worst case will partly loose its productivity and getting harmful for surrounding environments. Modern viticulture should therefor focus on stable yield and qualities but also on soil quality and environmental sound production systems.In a longterm test 5 different tillage system (control, permanent grass sod, marginal sod, extensive and intensive shallow tillage) were investigated. In the grassed plots it could be demonstrated that the macronutrients P, K, and Mg changed their availability: inorganic P was reduced, K and Mg got in a new balance, favoring a better nutritional status of grapevines. Micronutrients availability was increased esp. Fe and Mn, which is essential on calcareous production sites. Plots with permanent grass cover showed an significant increase in total C. During the test period of 20 years permanent grass stored in an average ≈3.3 t CO2 x ha-1 x a-1. Neither the control plot nor the tilled ones could significantly increase the soils’ C stock.Biological activity was determined with enzyme assays. Glucosidases are significantly higher in grassed plots and extensive tilling; same is true for phosphatases. Urease is also highest in grassed plots and extensive tilling. A strong and significant stratification with soil depth could be demonstrated for all analyzed parameters.