Soil Structure as a Key in the Vine Growing Improvement

Abstract

[EN] The aim of the study was to make a bibliographic review on the improvement soil structure and enhance soil micro porosity in a Mediterranean region of Spain. Activate soil fauna, which will create aggregate structure, thus increase aeration, facilitate roots penetration and rise water-holding capacity of the soil. Introduce no-tillage techniques in order to decrease the effect of soil erosion and degradation of organic matter, caused by cultivation. The methods and techniques analysed were: ramial chipped wood (RCW), combination of the RCW and beans as a cover crop, control plot, cultivated and without cover crop. Following water state of the plant by analyses of predawn leaf water potential and stem leaf water potential. The conclusions of the study stated that techniques as RCW and cover cropping are able to activate soil fauna, which improves soil structure and contributes into increase of the soil organic matter. Comparing to the cultivated soil, enhanced soils where techniques were applied, positively affect the water state of the vine plant and decreases its stress under the hot Mediterranean climate.