Incidence of permanent grass cover on grapevine phenological evolution and grape berry ripening

摘要

The effects of grass cover on grapevines phenological behaviour, berry ripening, yield and vigour parameters of a Merlot noir vineyard were determined over a two year period and compared to chemical weed control practice. Budbreak was unaffected by treatments while blooming,and mainly veraison, were precocious for grass covered grapevines. Grape berries sampled during ripening were less weighty,had lower titratable acidity and higher sugar contents with sod treatment than for those with no tillage. Those vines always presented the lowest vigour and yield. In our conditions, weed competition resulted in decreased yield and vegetative growth of vines but improved ripening conditions and enhanced musts quality.