Cover Crop and Pruning Residue Management to Reduce Nitrogen Mineral Fertilization in Mediterranean Vineyards

This paper aimed to study the effect of temporary cover crop and vine pruning residue burial as alternative practices conventional tillage on soil nitrate (NO3-N) availability grapevine performance in short term. The trial was carried out a rain-fed vineyard (Vitis vinifera L., cv Grecanico dorato/140 Ruggeri) located traditional Mediterranean viticultural area (37°32?48?? N; 13°00?15?? E) Sicily (Italy). Conventional (CT) management compared with winter (CC), plus buried (CT + PR), (CC PR) treatments. Two fertilizer treatments (92 kg ha?1 N urea 0 ha?1) were applied four Vicia faba L. selected leguminous species, which seeded autumn spring at same time residues. NO3-N content monitored, vegetative growth, yield, must quality assessed over two seasons. Results showed that strongly differed between fertilized (F) unfertilized (UF) plots years among A positive CC PR dorato observed. In UF vineyard, grape fertility, Ravaz index, total soluble solids significantly higher vines than other treatments, thus showing reliability reducing mineral fertilization related risks excess groundwater. possibility increasing overall sustainability vineyards semiarid agro-ecosystem, without negative effects quality, is also demonstrated.