Viticulture is one of the most diffused cultivations in the world. It is present in five of the six continents (except Antarctica) and in the first decade of XXI century vineyards have covered about 7.8 million hectares. In the same period, the global surface used for arable land and under permanent crops amounted to about 1.5 billion hectares (Bruinsma, 2003). Viticulture accounts only for about 0.5% of the whole agricultural area, and it can be inferred that the impact of this cultivation might be negligible at a global scale. In contrast, in the year 2009, the market of both wine and grapes moved around 300 billion of dollars in the world (AA.VV., 2010; FAO, 2011), putting the products of the viticulture at the top of the agricultural market. Unfortunately, also disadvantages induced by viticulture are considerable as most of the soils planted with vines have a fine texture and a moderate to steep slope (5-30°), and are submitted to climates where dry and rain seasons are rather alternated. Because of this, most of the vineyard soils are subjected to erosion. In this chapter we briefly analyse the situation of viticulture in the world in terms of surface covered, parent materials and soils used, and types and degree of erosion usually found in the vineyards. Thus, we present the results of two managing experiences made in two different environments of Italy, where grass covered and harrowed soil vineyards were contrasted to assess the capability of the grass to reduce erosion. In the general conclusions, taking advantage of the results obtained, we give suggestions to preserve soil resilience and productivity.
Evaluation of Erosion Intensity and Some of Its Consequences in Vineyards from Two Hilly Environments Under a Mediterranean Type of Climate, Italy
AGNELLI, Alberto
2011
Abstract
Viticulture is one of the most diffused cultivations in the world. It is present in five of the six continents (except Antarctica) and in the first decade of XXI century vineyards have covered about 7.8 million hectares. In the same period, the global surface used for arable land and under permanent crops amounted to about 1.5 billion hectares (Bruinsma, 2003). Viticulture accounts only for about 0.5% of the whole agricultural area, and it can be inferred that the impact of this cultivation might be negligible at a global scale. In contrast, in the year 2009, the market of both wine and grapes moved around 300 billion of dollars in the world (AA.VV., 2010; FAO, 2011), putting the products of the viticulture at the top of the agricultural market. Unfortunately, also disadvantages induced by viticulture are considerable as most of the soils planted with vines have a fine texture and a moderate to steep slope (5-30°), and are submitted to climates where dry and rain seasons are rather alternated. Because of this, most of the vineyard soils are subjected to erosion. In this chapter we briefly analyse the situation of viticulture in the world in terms of surface covered, parent materials and soils used, and types and degree of erosion usually found in the vineyards. Thus, we present the results of two managing experiences made in two different environments of Italy, where grass covered and harrowed soil vineyards were contrasted to assess the capability of the grass to reduce erosion. In the general conclusions, taking advantage of the results obtained, we give suggestions to preserve soil resilience and productivity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
