Cover crops and organic mulches to control weed flora in vineyards

Abstract: In the inter-rows of vineyards, the use of cover crops becomes an efficient strategy
to control Cynodon dactylon in comparison to the shredding of the spontaneous cover.
Furthermore, finishing the cover crops by roller crimping them in spring permits the creation
of a mulch, over the soil layer, that becomes an obstacle to light, significantly hindering the
emergence and development of C. dactylon. On the other hand, under the vines, the application of organic mulches of chopped pine wood or almond shell has an efficient effect limiting the emergence of Conyza bonariensis and other weeds. These organic mulches, in turn, create more favorable edaphic conditions for the vineyard, which are reflected in an increase in vigour.