Agroforestry in viticulture

How to integrate agroforestry into a vineyard, vitiforestry, ...

Agroforestry in viticultureHow to integrate agroforestry into a vineyard, vitiforestry, ...

1. Viticulture
2. Agroforestry
3. Agroforestry in viticulture

Agroforestry is the combination of trees and crops or animals on the same plot of land, either along the border or in the open field. The objectives of these cropping systems are better use of resources, greater biological diversity and the creation of a microclimate conducive to higher yields.

The term Vitiforestry is sometimes used to refer to allagroforestry practices applicable to mechanised winegrowing systems. This portal lists the various principles and articles relating to this set of practices.

Types of association

Agroforestry schemes within vineyard plots can take up to three different forms :

• Hedgerows at the edge of plots, or between blocks of vines.
• Rows of trees interspersed between the rows.
• Isolated trees within the row.

Economic and environmental impact

Impact of trees on the vineyard microclimate

On light

Depending on the size of their canopy, trees have an impact on the light exposure of crops.

The north face of a tree is considered to be shadier on average, while the south face receives increased light exposure through the reflection of solar rays on the foliage.

On the wind

Due to their structure, rows of trees have the capacity to permanently modify the dynamics of air masses on a plot of land.

They can act as windbreaks, creating areas where theair is slowed down or accelerated, depending on their position in relation to the crops and where the wind comes from.

On the water cycle

While trees can compete with vines for access to surface water resources, they provide services that can offset this competition.

Trees act as 'lifts', bringing up the soil's deep water reserves, which are generally inaccessible to vines. They also release some of the water from their cells into the atmosphere, increasing relative humidity by a few percent. Conversely, they also tend to capture atmospheric humidity in the form of dew, or by intercepting more precipitation than vines.

Impact on biodiversity

Introducing trees to a vineyard plot theoretically provides a greater diversity of habitats and resources for many animal species, and helps maintain ecological corridors.

Choice of species and maintenance

Choice of species

The choice of tree species for agroforestry should be based on a number of economic, agronomic and environmental criteria:

• Species that are endemic and adapted to the soil and climate conditions, as well as to the problems of the vineyard(e.g. with low foliage if light exposure is a limiting factor).
• Productive species according to objectives(energy, RCW, fruit, timber, etc.) or services(flowering periods, shade, windbreaks, etc.).
• Diversified species for a resilient stand and to maximise ecological niches forbeneficials.

Row planting conditions

For row planting, the following measures are recommended : Preferably planted along a north-south axis, with a minimum distance of 4 metres between the first row of vines and the first row of trees, and 25 to 30 metres between each row of trees.

Tree pruning

In its guide, the IFV recommends winter pruning the trees every 5 to 10 years, but also mentions the possibility of green pruning or circling the roots with a toothed tool to limit competition. The importance of regular pruning in the first 5 to 8 years to ensure the formation of a trunk at least 2 metres high should also be borne in mind..