On 26 April, researchers from the crop protection group of Agrotecnio and the University of Lleida are organising a technical conference on the usefulness of cover crops in mountain viticulture as part of the 2024 Annual Technology Transfer Plan of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
Viticulture in mountain areas faces challenges such as soil conservation. The use of cover crops is a management option that helps to combat erosion while increasing the organic matter content, carbon sequestration and biodiversity. This conference will present experiences on the management of cover crops in vineyards and will discuss options for their adaptation in mountain areas.
Participants will include Jordi Recasens and Bàrbara Baraibar, researchers at Agrotecnio and the University of Lleida, as well as Lluís Girald, researcher at the Viticulture and Oenology Service of INCAVI; Pau Moragas, head of production at l’Olivera Cooperativa; Laura Ruana, head of the integrated control and payments service of the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda; and Eva Carmona, Adriana Monsó, Ingrid Sebastià and Joren Nagtegaal, winegrowers.
In recent years, the effects of climate change on viticulture have imposed increasingly adverse conditions for the crop. One of the most important transformations has been the change in soil management with the aim of keeping the soil free of weeds to avoid competition with the vines for water and nutrients. Research on canopy management is needed to better understand its effect on vine cultivation, as well as on the availability of techniques or mechanical tools to facilitate its management.
The programme of the conference can be downloaded here and registration is open through RuralCat website.