Impact of compost application in vineyards on changes of physical properties of soil

Abstract

Organic matter is one of the key factors with a direct impact on the soil fertility. The lack of availability of organic matter and its lack in the soil represent a current pan-European problem. Organic matter in soil plays an unmistakable role in formation of soil and improvement of the physical properties, such as soil water retention, bulk density, soil aggregation capacity, water and air mode of soil, etc. This article discusses the evaluation of influence of compost and compost with Lignohumax applied in the treated strip on changes of selected physical properties of soils. The experiments started in 2017 at two experimental sites in Lednice and Velké Bílovice (Czech Republic). The physical state of the soil was determined by using "Kopecky physical cylinders", the soil structure, moisture and penetrometer resistance were evaluated as well. The obtained results show that the bulk density reduced at both sites ranged from 1.38-1.49 g•cm-3 , the total porosity ranged from 44.09-48.25 % and the water content and aeration of the soil were roughly at the same level. The structure of the soil evaluated according to the structural coefficient was found at Lednice at the beginning of the vegetation 0.71, at the end of the vegetation, after the compost incorporation the values were higher for the variants with the prepared compost (1.38-1.44). At the site of Velké Bílovice the initial values were 0.87 and for the fertilized variants the coefficient increased to 1.99. In addition, the water conditions were better for the fertilized variants at the Lednice station and reached the level of 16.24-17.05 % by weight, while at the site of Velké Bílovice they reached the level 19.46-23.02 % by weight. The penetrometric resistance values did not exceed critical limits for the fertilized variants. In the framework of sustainability, viticulture will address issues related to soil fertility in the upcoming period. Greater attention therefore has to be paid to the replacement of traditional fertilizers, such as manure, by the new fertilizers in the form of compost or digestate.

Influence of supplementation of vineyard soil with organic substances on nutritional status, yield and quality of ‘Black Magic’ grape (<i>Vitis vinifera L.</i>) and soil microbiological and biochemical characteristics

“…Different results have been obtained in previous studies regarding the effect of compost and other organic materials on the growth, yield and quality of grapevine (Pinamonti, 1998;Morlat, 2008;Mugnai et al, 2012;Tardaguila et al, 2018;Burg et al, 2019). Overall, the effects of compost on yield were found to be minor in some studies.…”

“…Although Burg et al (2019) stated that applications of organic matter improve soil fertility and physical properties (such as soil water retention, soil aggregation, water and aeration of soil, etc.) the effects of applications on yield and quality components (including soil moisture and temperature) was not seen in their two-year study.…”

“…Low organic matter not only negatively affects plant growth, but also the development of natural microbial populations. Therefore, the application of compost to soil to increase its organic matter levels is one of the priority issues of sustainable agricultural management (Calleja-Cervantes et al, 2015;Burg et al, 2019).…”

“…While compost is an organic resource used in viticulture, an important inorganic material that can also be used is basaltic pumice, which contains natural minerals. Relevant studies have indicated that the use of such materials during organic fertilisation of vine could prevent erosion and preserve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil (Manson, 1967;Altieri, 1987;Lampkin, 1990;Özdemir et al, 2008;Mugnai et al, 2012;Blaya et al, 2016;Gaiotti et al, 2017;Özdemir et al, 2018;Burg et al, 2019).…”

Biochar–compost mixture and cover crop effects on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, yield, and fruit quality in an irrigated vineyard

“…Blending compost with biochar (charged biochar) during the process or after the process 4 of composting, reduces subsequent C and N losses (Meyer-Kohlstock et al 2015;Meyer et al 2014), and enhances C sequestration (Niehues 2015). Application B+Com in vineyards was found to increase soil organic C, supply nutrients, enhance soil biological activities with no adverse effect on crop yield or fruit quality (Burg et al 2019;Bustamante et al 2010;Döring et al 2019;Safaei Khorram et al 2019). Sánchez-Monedero et al (2019) found that B+Com increased grape yield, fruit quality and titratable acidity, but reduced total soluble solids content in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy.…”