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2.2.3.c What types of mulching are availible and best-suited to the circumstances?

When choosing a mulch, it's important to first take into account the plot's characteristics. Notably, this includes its vigor and the degree of weed management, but the composition of its soil, the microbial life present and soil compaction levels are also important.

Each type of mulch has different properties depending on its nature. Mulch can be an exogenous application made of wheat straw, flax, RCW (Ramial Fragmented Wood) or even living plant cover grown on the plot which is then sheathed, if the summer heat doesn't dry it out beforehand.

A living mulch (clover, pilosella...) can sometimes create a water constraint. There are different types of living mulches with varying properties and characteristics that will be defined in this section.

What type of mulches are adapted for use over the entire plot?

  • RCW (Ramial Chipped Wood) is a mulch used on the soil's surface which is made from crushed and shredded young shoots (branches and twigs). Ideally, the diameter of the young shoots should not exceed 7-8 cm to ensure a better humification once mulched. It is best to avoid RCWs that contain wood from resinous trees (pine bark, spruce) as they contribute to soil acidification.
Protection from grass coverHumidity /permeabilityPlant growthSoil improvementSustainability /environment
Wheat straw--+++++/-+/-++++
RCW+++++++++++++++++
Miscanthus straw+++++++/-++++++
  • Straw can come from from wheat, miscanthus or flax. There are many possibilities when it comes to straw types, and the choice will depend on the characteristics of each straw and the species present locally. When exogenous, it can be applied under the row and between the rows. Any limitations for applying this ground cover are mostly financial and logistical.
Mulching trials (wheat straw) on a Merlot plot at Château Latour

What living mulch is suitable for use under the row?

Pilosella and subterranean clover are highly suitable cover crops for planting under the row. Indeed, subterranean clover can be planted anywhere. Their low and creeping growth pattern covers the soil and actively prevents weeds from growing. Plant covers of this type are not particularly competitive and dry out at the beginning of the summer to form a cover on the soil, limiting water competition with the vine. However, it is important to avoid mowing them so growth restarts the following year without needing to sow seeds.
Some plants such as pilosella are said to have allelopathic properties that supposedly mitigate the propagation of quack grass and bindweed. However, it is not recommended for inter-row weed control. Indeed, it is a rather fragile plant and the repeated passage of tractors could quickly destroy it if it is planted between the rows.

Other species are also being researched. The two major constraints are setting-up costs and potential competition with the vines.

What living mulch is suitable for use between rows?

Some leguminous plants such as fava beans are more suited to planting between the rows. They are more resistant to farm machinery and compete too strongly with the vine to be planted under the row. Moreover, given their height and the need to sheathe them, they cannot not be planted elsewhere.

A row's persian clover before sheathing

It is also possible to grow straw, for example wheat straw, and to sheathe it afterwards. However, this practice would be difficult to implement if the vineyard has narrow rows.

Sheathing the cover crop
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