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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Crops Pathology and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #357262
Title: Precipitation events, soil type and vineyard management practices influence soil C dynamics in a Mediterranean climate (Lodi, California)

Author
item YU, OLIVIA - University Of California, Davis
item Greenhut, Rachel
item O'GEEN, ANTHONY - University Of California, Davis
item Mackey, Bruce
item HORWATH, WILLIAM - University Of California, Davis
item Steenwerth, Kerri

Submitted to: Soil Science Society of America Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/11/2019
Publication Date: 6/27/2019
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/6678122
Citation: Yu, O.T., Greenhut, R.F., O'Geen, A.T., Mackey, B.E., Horwath, W.R., Steenwerth, K.L. 2019. Precipitation events, soil type and vineyard management practices influence soil C dynamics in a Mediterranean climate (Lodi, California). Soil Science Society of America Journal. 83(3):772-779. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2018.09.0345.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2018.09.0345

Interpretive Summary: To characterize the effect of precipitation events, management practices and soil type in vineyard systems on vineyard carbon (C) dynamics, we monitored carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and labile C pools from nine vineyards in Lodi Wine grape District, California from April 2011 – December 2012. These commercial vineyards are replicates of three soil series (Redding, San Joaquin, and Tokay), representing a spectrum of soil texture and degree of soil development. We hypothesized that soil characteristics would influence the magnitude of CO2 efflux occurring in response to precipitation and management events in a Mediterranean climate. During each field visit – bimonthly (Apr. to Oct.) and monthly (Nov. to Mar.) – we measured carbon dioxide (CO2), soil temperature and gravimetric water content (GWC) from vine and inter-vine (alleys) rows. Monthly, we collected soil samples for dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In mid-May and mid-October 2012, CO2 efflux were higher in Tokay than San Joaquin or Redding as a result of seasonal management practices (i.e., tillage and mowing of cover crops). Management practices effected differences between vine rows and alleys for soil DOC from June to October 2012. This 20-month study indicated that CO2 efflux responded to soil disturbance from management practices, precipitation and irrigation, similar to previous work on crops in Mediterranean climates.

Technical Abstract: To characterize the effect of precipitation events, management practices and soil type in vineyard systems on vineyard carbon (C) dynamics, we monitored carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and labile C pools from nine vineyards in Lodi Wine grape District, California from April 2011 – December 2012. These commercial vineyards are replicates of three soil series (Redding, San Joaquin, and Tokay), representing a spectrum of soil texture and degree of soil development. We hypothesized that soil characteristics would influence the magnitude of CO2 efflux occurring in response to precipitation and management events in a Mediterranean climate. During each field visit – bimonthly (Apr. to Oct.) and monthly (Nov. to Mar.) – we measured carbon dioxide (CO2), soil temperature and gravimetric water content (GWC) from vine and inter-vine (alleys) rows. Monthly, we collected soil samples for dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In mid-May and mid-October 2012, CO2 efflux were higher in Tokay than San Joaquin or Redding as a result of seasonal management practices (i.e., tillage and mowing of cover crops). Management practices effected differences between vine rows and alleys for soil DOC from June to October 2012. This 20-month study indicated that CO2 efflux responded to soil disturbance from management practices, precipitation and irrigation, similar to previous work on crops in Mediterranean climates.