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2.2.1 Overview

A weed is a plant that grows within a crop without it having been intentionally planted. Weeds are traditionally considered to be a nuisance or even harmful. However, this is not necessarily the case in vineyards. Invasive weeds can indeed be harmful to vines as they compete for resources, but weeds can also be beneficial as they aerate the soil and restore organic matter.

Weeds can act as bioindicators, revealing the characteristics of the soil in which they grow, for example, a strong presence of certain minerals, asphyxiation, or the rate at which organic matter breaks down.

What are advantages and disadvantages of weeds?

  • Advantages: Weeds support biodiversity, which can help reduce pests. Some do not compete with the vines and encourage auxiliary fauna. These are called companion plants. They play a role in fixing nutrients, which they return to the soil when they are no longer productive or when they have been uprooted. Some weeds compete with vines for water and nitrogen and this can be beneficial when vines are particularly vigorous, as they slightly reduce the vines' access to these resources.

  • Disadvantages: One of the main disadvantages of weeds is precisely this competition with the vines regarding the supply of water and nitrogen. Some species are highly competitive. This is the case of grasses for example. Some of these can compete with established cover crops. The more competitive a weed is, the better it can colonize the area and become invasive, thus harming the vines. Weeds also contribute to higher soil humidity which increases the risk of frost and also the likelihood of certain diseases, particularly when they grow under the rows close to the vines.

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