Project Number: 5306-21220-005-10
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Apr 15, 2011
End Date: Apr 15, 2014

Objective:
Develop alternative "in-row" weed management practices that both provide effective weed management, do not negatively impact grapevine growth and juice, and improve soil nitrogen (N) retention by minimizing inorganic N leaching and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.

Approach:
Establish three 'in-row' weed management practices: 1)a standard herbicide application; 2)an under-the-vine cover crop, and 3)furrow cultivation with compost. We will focus on surveying changes in both weed seedbank and weed community compostion, measure annual soil N leaching and N2O emissions, and address peak periods of N2O loss during fertigation. This project is part of GRACEnet, a national network of USDA/ARS researchers contributing data from studies on land use and greenhouse gas emissions to develop biogeochemical models and best management practices to minimize N loss from agricultural systems.