Autonomous Mowing and Complete Floor Cover for Weed Control in Vineyards

Enhancing vineyards sustainability and reducing herbicides usage is a crucial theme, thus alternative weed management methods are starting to be studied. Cover crops have been shown provide for several environmental services such as performing an efficient control promoting biodiversity, improving the of overall system. However, use cover usually confined interrow area in order avoid competition with vines. Under-trellis important challenge, conventionally fulfilled by cultivation or repeated applications. Autonomous mowers small autonomous machines that great efficiency when employed agricultural contexts. Due their reduced size, they can easily prevent excessive vertical growth weeds both interrows under trellis without chemical The aim this trial was evaluate if combination crop species could improve vineyard sustainability. Vineyard floor managed mower had shorter canopy height lower dry biomass compared cover. providing mowing significantly percentage conventional management, especially under-trellis. results suggest may sustainable reliable technique include management.