Correct implementation of agro-ampelotechnical measures and appropriate cultivation of the soil between the rows according to the needs and natural conditions of the vineyard are the key to achieving the desired vine productivity and grape quality. The study aims to determine the differences in soil quality between regularly tilled soils without vegetative cover and permanent green cover. The experiment was carried out in three vineyards, Purissima, Baredi and Ricorvo, owned by Vinakoper d.o.o. in the wine-growing region of Slovenska Istra. In all three locations, the vineyard is laid out along the layer lines of a slope on eutric brown soils (Cambisol) on carbonate flysch, where permanent rotational cultivation of the inter⠒row space has been carried out for more than ten years. The experiment confirmed that the permanently greened soil (OZT) of the vineyard inter-row space has, on average, a higher organic matter content, better persistence of structural aggregates and, consequently, better structure-dependent properties. In treated inter-row space (OBT) without vegetative cover, the treatment interrupts the capillary rise and thus reduces water evaporation. In the vineyard with the highest soil density, where the results differed the most from the other two vineyards considered, we found that breaking down the soil structure allows better infiltration in the soil without vegetative cover. In the light of the results obtained, we recommend alternating permanent green cover in the inter-row space of the vineyards (alternating inter-row cultivation), as use of green cover maintains good quality soils with a higher organic matter content and a good structure, and bare tillage in every other row ensures greater water availability to the vines. For more detailed results, the study should be extended in the future to include results on soil microbial activity and multiannual data on the quantity and quality of yields under different vineyard soil management practices.
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