sa composters viticultural info

USE OF COMPOST AND MULCH IN VITICULTURE

Composted mulch can be used to increase productivity and sustainability of viticulture production. There are a few benefits of using composted mulch in viticulture farms:

1. Reduce risk of crop failure

Application of composted mulch can reduce soil temperature by up to 20C, which increases soil moisture levels, reduces plant stress, and reduces risk of crop failure.

Mulching reduces evaporation from the soil surface, increases water conservation and resistance to drought, particularly in non-irrigated areas, and reduces the risk of crop failure.

2. Increased revenue

Composted mulches have the potential to increase grape yield up to 27% depending upon grape variety, environmental conditions and farm management practices.

Composted mulches can potentially improve grape fruit quality.

3. Reduce farm management costs

Composted mulches reduce evaporation from the soil surface, increase water conservation, and therefore result in more efficient water use. This could reduce irrigation water requirement of grapevines by 10% or more (depending upon environmental conditions, irrigation systems and farm management practices).

Composted mulches slowly release essential macro and micronutrients for plant growth. This reduces the use of mineral fertilisers by 30% or more and makes mineral fertiliser programs more effective.

Composted mulches reduce weed growth between 60-100% and decrease the requirements for herbicides, thereby reducing farm production costs.

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