A vineyard agroecosystem: disturbance and precipitation affect soil respiration under Mediterranean conditions

Published source details Steenwerth K.L., Pierce D.L., Carlisle E.A., Spencer R.G.M. & Smart D.R. (2010) A vineyard agroecosystem: disturbance and precipitation affect soil respiration under Mediterranean conditions. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 74, 231-239.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Soil: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards Action Link
	Soil: Use reduced tillage in arable fields Action Link

Soil: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2003–2005 in a vineyard in Napa Valley, California, USA, found similar amounts of carbon and carbon dioxide in soils with cover crops or resident vegetation. Implementation options: Similar amounts of carbon were found in soils with cover crops or resident vegetation (1.64 g total C/g dry soil). Similar amounts of carbon dioxide were found in soils with cover crops or resident vegetation (9.02–10.11 vs 8.40–10.99 Mg CO₂-C/ha). Methods: Short-stature barley was grown as a winter cover crop on three treatment plots (518 m² each, four vine alleys each), but not on three control plots. All plots were disked (5 cm depth) and rolled in November 2003–2004, before the cover crops were planted. Resident vegetation regrew on control plots.
Soil: Use reduced tillage in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2003–2005 in a vineyard in Napa Valley, California, USA, found less carbon dioxide in soils with reduced tillage, compared to conventional tillage. Greenhouse gases: Less carbon dioxide was found in soils with reduced tillage, compared to conventional tillage, in one of two years (8.57 vs 10.11 Mg CO₂-C/ha). Methods: Three plots (518 m² each, four vine alleys each) were disked in spring (conventional tillage: 30 cm depth), and three plots were not disked (reduced tillage). Short stature barley was grown as a winter cover crop on all plots. Cover crops were mown in spring, before disking. All plots were disked in autumn (5 cm depth), before the cover crops were planted.