Technical Guide on Green Manure in Viticulture
From Triple Performance
This guide compiles knowledge and various practices implemented from the establishment to the destruction of a green manure in viticulture.
Description
A green manure is a cover crop designed to be an organic amendment[1].
Why establish green manures in viticulture?
Nourish the vine
- Increase in organic matter content of the soil
- Increase in the availability of certain soil nutrients for the vine, during the destruction of the green manure: potassium is mobilized by certain crucifers; nitrogen becomes assimilable for the plant thanks to legumes
| Common name | Sowing period | Seeding rate (kg/ha) | Frost sensitivity | Dry matter production (T/ha) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poaceae (Grasses) | ||||
Rye |
August to October | 40-120 | low sensitivity | 3-8 |
| Oat | September to October | 120-150 | low sensitivity (-13°C) | 3-6 |
| Triticale | September to October | 100 | sensitive | 5-10 |
| Barley | September to October | 160-200 | low to moderate sensitivity | 3-6 |
| Fabaceae (Legumes) | ||||
| Crimson clover | August to September | 25-30 | low sensitivity | 4-6 |
| Faba bean | September to October | 160-200 | sensitive (-5°C) | 5-8 |
| Common vetch | August to September | 100-200 | low sensitivity (-10°C) | 3-8 |
| Forage pea | August to September | 50-150 | low sensitivity (-10°C) | 5-8 |
| Fenugreek | August to September | 15-50 | fairly sensitive (-7°C) | 5-8 |
| Brassicaceae (Crucifers) | ||||
| Fiber radish | August to September | 10-20 | sensitive | 3-5 |
| Forage rapeseed | August to September | 8-15 | low sensitivity | 4-9 |
| White mustard | August to September | 8-10 | low sensitivity | 4-5 |
1 ha of vineyard = 50 to 75 ares of green manure sown
Many ecosystem services
- Limitation of leaching (notably nitrates)
- Improvement of soil structure
- Protection against erosion and runoff
- Carbon storage
- Reduction of soil temperature
- Increase in biodiversity
| Green manure | Potential nitrogen release
(for 2t DM/ha, in full) |
|---|---|
| Faba bean | 47 kg/ha |
| Winter oat | 24 kg/ha |
| White mustard | 26 kg/ha |
| Fiber radish | 26 kg/ha |
| Barley | 22 kg/ha |
| Common vetch | 43 kg/ha |
| Crimson clover | 34 kg/ha |
Technical itinerary for establishing a green manure in viticulture
-
Choice of species according to the objectives of the winegrowers
-
Choice of species according to soil type
Choose your seeds
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 French Institute of vine and wine, [page consulted on 07/10/2024] https://www.vignevin-occitanie.com/les-engrais-verts-adpates-a-un-vie/
- ↑ IFV [page consulted on 07/10/2024] https://www.vignevin.com/publications/fiches-pratiques/engrais-verts-en-viticulture/
