1. A new look at cover crops and carbon management in our local agricultural systems Glenn McGourty, Farm Advisor UCCE Mendocino and Lake Counties

2. Ecological Services of Your Vineyard and Property Watershed Habitat for native species Pollinators Carbon sequestering and cycling Nutrient cycling Energy cycling through photosynthesis, production of O2 Urban separation and viewshed

3. Vineyard Floor Management Objectives Be cost effective Enhance vine health Increase or decrease vine growth by management practices Improve soil health (bio activity, soil structure, water retention, water infiltration) Firm footing for vineyard operations Control we eds

4. In the beginning…

5. Negative Effects of Tillage: Loss of OM Decreased infiltration of air and water Loss of soil structure Loss of soil biological activity and diversity

6. Carbon Sequestering and Climate Change: Increase of atmospheric CO 2 from human activity Loss of carbon from soil by tillage = 30% of total CO 2 generated

7. Farming for Carbon Emphasis on managing soils to accumulate stable carbon Focus on natural processes Soil amendments may also be needed Changes in tillage practices Don’t add more CO 2 from soil or fossil fuels Possibility of carbon credits?

8. Goals in Improving Soil Chemistry and Fertility with Organic Matter Increase in soil N Improved availability of K, S, and P Improved availability of micronutrients (especially if composts used) Increased soil buffering capacity Increased soil CEC Increase bio activity, both macro and micro

9. Vineyard Organic Matter Per Year, lbs /acre ItemConventionally Farmed Organic/ BD. Farmed Prunings 900 lbs. Leaves 1200 Weeds/cover c. 10001000-10,500 Compost 0 2000 Total, tons/acre 1.51.5—7.5 t

10. North Coast Soil Issues: Problems: Low pH Low Calcium High Magnesium Low Potassium High clay, poor soil structure Phosphorus deficiency Solutions: Apply Gypsum or Lime “ Potassium sulfate Initial ripping, cover crops, reduced tillage Rock phosphorus, compost high in P

11. Soil Structure and Organic Matter

12. Improving Soil Physical Quality You can manage soils to increase SOM Increased SOM often means improved soil structure Change soil structure from blocky to granular Increased soil porosity and lower bulk density with more carbon Improved water holding capacities, infiltration rates

13. Thanks to those you don’t even see…

14. Deep Tillage is Important Initially Rip to rooting depth Don’t destroy soil structure Apply nutrients and amendments that are difficult to leach before ripping

15. Vineyard Floor Management: Tillage Disking Spading Under the vine cultivation Mowing

18. Alternative Cultivation Equipment

19. Cover crops and their effects in vineyards Cover Crops Cover Crops Increase organic material and soil fertility Prevent erosion Improve soil structure Retain soil moisture Attract benefical insects Increase diversity of soil organisms Affect micro-climate Source: A. Thrupp

20. Soil Protection With Cover Crops Cover crop foliage shields soil from rain splashing, slaking of aggregates Water infiltration rates stay elevated Improved water storage, water quality OM conserved by preventing erosion Mulching effect keeps soil cool in summer, protects OM from oxidation

21. Immediate Effects of Cover Crops Plant tissue is the primary source of SOM Soil life is stimulated Cover crops serve as food source for vertebrates, invertebrates and microbes Soil respiration rates and microbe numbers increase

22. SOM Forms Quickest Under Sod Culture Root biomass cycles annually Mulching effects conserve moisture, protect the SOM from sunlight and oxidation

23. Summer Vineyard Floor Management

25. Cover Crop Types

26. Grasses and Legume Mixes Complimentary in growth Good for improving soil structure, tilth May also improve soil fertility

28. Grasses: Fibrous Roots

29. Peas, Vetch, Bell Beans and Oats Cover Crop

30. Fitting the Architecture of the Vineyard vs

31. Self Reseeding Annual Legumes Protect the soil and help water quality Produce N (15-30 lbs/acre) Self Reseeding, no tillage needed Habitat for beneficials Potentially good forage for grazing Works best in higher rainfall areas, or vineyards with sprinklers to help germinate seed

32. Crimson Clover Trifolium resupinatum Subterranean Clover Trifolium subterraneum Bur Medic Medicago polymorpha Balansa Clover Trifolium michelianum

33. Well Mixed Sward

34. Spring Dry Down

35. Seed Production

37. Perennial Cover Crops Can greatly reduce vigor Recommended for fertile sites Grass and legume mixes useful, but not annual and perennial species Grasses: turf-type tall fescue, sheep fescue, creeping red fescue, hard fescue, perennial ryegrass Legumes: white Dutch clover, Ladino clover, strawberry clover—watch out, gopher magnets!

38. Tall Fescue Festuca arundinacea

39. California brome Bromus carinatus

40. What is right for your vineyard or farm? Sprinklers available? What will grow on native rainfall? What will tolerate cold weather and dryness?

41. Insectary Plantings

42. Habitat For Beneficials Shelter Nectar Alternate prey Pollen Can assist your vineyard in creating self-regulation for pest control

43. Dedicated Insectary Rows Dedicated Insectary Rows

44. Parasitoids

45. Predators

46. Wild Carrot or Queen Anne’s Lace Daucus carota

48. Compost and Organic Matter— Helping Your Soil Come Alive Recycled Pomace Manure, lime, gypsum Produced on Farm or Winery Process takes about one year Applied at one or two tons/ acre

49. Nitrogen in Compost Available N = mineral N in the root zone r Mature composts: typically 1 - 3% N= r 20 -60 lbs of N r Unincorporated materials: Effective applied to cover crops before rains r Incorporated materials: may release N or immobilize N in short term

50. Other Minerals in Compost.5-1.0% P (10-20 lbs per ton).5-3 % K (10-60 lbs per ton) Numerous micronutrients

51. Compost Applications: Beneath vines or across the vineyard floor

57. Vineyard Floor Management: Wooly Mowers

59. Useful Tools for Maintaining Sheep

60. Leaf Pulling by Sheep

61. Aggressive Leaf Pulling by Sheep

62. Helpful Resources Available: UC ANR Press: http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/

63. Thanks for your attention!