Français
This year, our winegrowers are inaugurating the implementation of green manures in their vineyards. The tests were conducted in collaboration with Eric Fournaud from Bioline France. Mixtures of crucifers, legumes and grasses were sown. This method consists of weighing the biomass of each plant species on 1m² of soil, in order to assess mainly the nitrogen, potash and phosphorus contents, theoretically available for the vine after destruction of the plant cover.
Despite the lack of water and a very late installation, the results were completely satisfactory. The measurements made it possible to report a potential nitrogen supply of between 20 and 36 nitrogen units/ha, knowing that the vine would need on average between 40 and 60 nitrogen units/ha depending on the yields. Nitrogen is an essential mineral element for the proper development of the vine, its growth and its yield. Thus, after destruction of the various covers we will have a supply of organic matter which will nourish the soil and enrich it with humus.
Green manures will also make it possible to comply with an objective of adequacy with HEV (High Environment Value) regulations, to improve the structure of the soil, to stimulate the life of the soil and thus to have more rich, more resilient soils. Green manures are part of the HEV approach because they help maintain biodiversity and reduce the use of fertilizers in the vines. Green manures can meet the mineral needs of the vine and thus replace the supply of chemical or organic fertilizers.
