Nature‐based strategies to regenerate the functioning and biodiversity of vineyards

Abstract

Grapevine is one of the most important perennial fruit crops worldwide. Historically, vineyards were compatible with soil conservation practices and multitrophic biodiversity, but vineyards are now generally eroded and biologically impoverished, making them more susceptible to pests and diseases. However, the idiosyncrasy of the wine sector places wine growers in a unique position to lead the adoption of a range of sustainable management strategies and, thus, to pioneer a wider transformation of the agricultural sector. In this article, we provide an overview of nature‐based management strategies that may be used for the regeneration of the functioning and biodiversity of vineyards and that may also lead to improved plant nutrition, grape berry quality and the suppression of pathogens and pests. These strategies include the use of microbial and nonmicrobial biostimulants, fertilization with organic amendments as well as foliar fertilization with nature‐based products, the use of cover crops and the reintegration of livestock in vineyards, especially sheep. We will also pay special attention to the implementation of circular economy in the vineyard in relation to the previously mentioned management strategies and will also discuss the importance of considering all these aspects from a holistic and integrative perspective, rather than taking them into account as single factors. Assuming the integral role of soils in the functioning of agroecosystems, soils will be considered transversally across all sections. Finally, we will argue that the time is now ripe for innovation from the public and private sectors to contribute to the sustainable management of vineyards while maintaining, or even improving, the profit margin for farmers and winemakers.

Viticulture and the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Historical overview, current situation and future perspective

“…Thus, in pursuit of long-term agricultural resilience, the current EU Common Agricultural Policy (hereafter referred to as the new CAP), effective from the 2023 campaign, encourages climate-and environmentally-beneficial farming practices. These include crop rotation, green manure, the establishment of vegetative cover in woody crops and the installation of ecological infrastructures in herbaceous crops (Folkard-Tapp et al, 2021;Ochoa-Hueso et al, 2024). The disbursement of subsidies by the new CAP is conditioned upon the implementation of specific environmentally respectful agricultural practices, a concept known as 'conditionality'.…”