Assessing the Effects of Vineyard Soil Management on Downy and Powdery Mildew Development

Advantages of vineyard cover crops include soil conservation, nutrient and water cycling, a better growth–yield balance. They naturally promote agro-system biological multifunctionality, biocenosis, pest control. However, for the role on disease control, there is still lack information. We performed systematic evaluation management effects development two main pathogens: Plasmopara viticola Erysiphe necator. Conventional tillage was compared to grass legume during three-season trial in Nurra wine region (Sardinia, Italy). Disease grapevine were assessed relation weather, leaf area growth, nitrogen, canopy density, favorable microclimatic conditions each disease, weight their importance susceptibility treatment. Higher infection percentages observed plots subjected tillage. understood area, density. The weather downy mildew infections ascertained, yet high sunlight levels reduced spread under cover. For powdery mildew, nitrogen had crucial tillage, light hygrothermal most relevant function cover-cropped vineyards.