2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Wine grapes, Vitis vinifera, have been grown in New Mexico since the 1600’s and the 2012 Census of Agriculture estimates that 516 farms in New Mexico are currently growing grapes. Despite this, very little research is currently being done to help tailor cultural practices specifically for the semi-arid southwestern environment. In Las Cruces, NM, a study was designed to compare the effects of four different inter row cover crops of Malbec grape vines. The long-term goal of this study is to quantify the effects of the four cover crops on the vineyard ecosystem to assess the cover crops for fitness as an alternative ground cover. The current industry standard in vineyard row spaces is to maintain bare soil through the regular use of herbicides, cultivation and hand removal of weeds. This practice is costly and labor intensive for local growers. In addition, the windy, dry New Mexico growing conditions may exasperate challenges like the management of top soil loss over time when left bare. For this study, ten rows of Malbec vines were planted in a vineyard and were seeded with one of four cover crops, a native grass mix, ‘Balanza’ clover, a native flowering mix, and triticale. These ground covers were chosen for their suitability to the local climate and their benefits to different aspects of the vineyard ecosystem. The cover crops were assessed for fitness by measuring their effects on soil moisture content, vine and leaf moisture as well as their effect on the weed and insect populations once established.