A morphological approach to evaluating the nature of vineyard soils in semiarid Mediterranean environment

Abstract

La Mancha (Central Spain) is one of the most extensive vineyard regions in the world, and 'Valdepeñas' is a representative Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) in this region. However, what are their main soil types? what kind of horizons are the most common? and what is the role of the geomorphological positions in their pedodiversity? After describing and sampling 90 soil profiles in this area, Alfisols, Inceptisols and Entisols were mainly identified in Soil Taxonomy terms; in other words, Luvisols, Cambisols, Regosols, Leptosols and a highly significant proportion of Calcisols according to FAO-UNESCO-ISSS. The accumulation of carbonate, the thickness of which varies from a diffuse or powdery form to crusted forms, appear sometimes like polycyclic. The presence of red soils, with or without a calcic or petrocalcic horizon, indicates the most representative edaphic stages in this region. Consequently, the morphological signature is calcic or petrocalcic, followed by argillic and/or cambic horizons, under ochric horizons. It can be concluded that the nature of soils in Valdepeñas can be considered a differential factor to bear in mind for quality viticultural production. Highlights• There are unknown conceptual zones in support production of wine.

Soil properties of vineyards on arkoses as a basis to understand their suitability and optimum performance

“…It is in this sense that the arkose provides substantial differences with respect to the soils of many other regions, including the CLM itself. Therefore, the soils herein studied, which form on arkoses, are very different from those that form on a wide variety of soils forming on carbonate materials in CLM (Jimenez‐Ballesta et al, 2022). Our findings provide insights into the importance of pedological properties in regulating soil nutrient availability across soil types and, at the same time, support soil resource utilization management in regional viticulture.…”

Carbonate morphological features of vineyard soils in a semiarid Mediterranean environment

“…No diagnostic surface horizon other than ochric was found. Thus, intense and less intense pedogenic processes appeared: (a) carbonate dissolution/accumulation; (b) genesis of a cambic horizon with high carbonates content; (c) genesis of an argillic horizon, which frequently characterised prismatic structures and an extremely firm soil consistency; (d) rubefaction (Jiménez‐Ballesta et al, 2021). No elluviation horizons were identified in any of the CLM vineyard carbonated soils as shown by the profiles in Figure 2.…”

“…Soil is a key factor in viticulture because its composition and water retention capacity, among other factors, provide vines with anchorage and water and, at the same time, supply nutritional elements for growth. Thus soil characteristics like depth, permeability, structure, fertility and texture affect vine root growth and nutrient absorption (Cheng et al, 2014; Jiménez‐Ballesta et al, 2021; Lanyon et al, 2004; Morlat & Jacquet, 1993; Saxton, 2002; Tramontini et al, 2013; Wang et al, 2015; White, 2009). In particular, carbonate influences soil physico‐chemical properties and, hence, the fertility and productivity of vineyards.…”

Characteristics of vineyard soils derived from Plio‐Quaternary landforms (raña or rañizo) in southern Europe

“…Figure 8 shows a series of photographs in which a profuse stony phase (mainly thick quartzites) was detected, covering the soils that developed on raña and rañizo. In many semi‐arid regions, such as in central Spain, pedological landscapes appear to be covered by these rocky mantles (Jiménez‐Ballesta et al, 2021; Pérez‐de‐los‐Reyes et al, 2020). These mantles have a natural origin since they were formed by natural transport activities such as gravity and climate factors on gentle slopes (e.g.…”