The use of green cover in sustainable agriculture has proven to be effective in the past. In vineyards with permanently green inter-row space, organic matter increases and soil properties generally improve. Turf also effectively prevents erosion. The use of green cover is therefore widespread in areas with temperate and continental climate. Dilemma about the use of cover crop arises in vineyards with a Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean climate, where most rainfall falls in the winter months and there is a water shortage during the growing season. Precisely because of the fear of water stress in areas at risk of summer drought many winegrowers do not opt for green cover but for the tilled inter-rows. As a result, only a handful of studies have been dedicated to the effect of green cover on soil in a Mediterranean climate. The results of this analysis have shown that the use of cover crops is also an effective method of cultivation in Mediterranean vineyards. Due to less accessible water, the relationship of vine to green cover is more complex, but with adapted treatment it has shown to be successful. Therefore, recommended soil management practice is short-term green cover or alternating grass cover and bare soil in inter-rows with frequent mulching and mowing if necessary. This achieves the improvement of soil properties and erosion prevention while reducing the risk of water stress on the vine by limiting competition for water with the cover crops.
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