Location: Horticultural Crops Research Unit
Title: Managing mycorrhizal fungi and soil health in vineyards: Pre-plant and post-plant considerationsAuthor
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Submitted to: Wine Business Monthly
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/14/2019 Publication Date: 8/1/2019 Citation: Schreiner, R.P. 2019. Managing mycorrhizal fungi and soil health in vineyards: Pre-plant and post-plant considerations. Wine Business Monthly. Aug 2019 Issue. Interpretive Summary: This summary of research serves as a practical guide for grape growers to better manage mycorrhizal fungi in vineyards to improve sustainable production of grapevines. Technical Abstract: The basic biology and important role that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play in vineyards is introduced. The key concerns that grapevine growers should consider to best manage these beneficial fungi are discussed using examples from my research and other published research. Grapevines rely on AMF to obtain phosphorus and often other nutrients from soil when their availability is low. In most cases the resident AMF population in soil will likely be sufficient to colonize vine roots in new vineyard plantings. Boosting AMF populations in soil by inoculating vines or growing a host plant cover crop may be required if the site was fumigated or if AMF host plants were absent for an extended period of time. Judicious use of fertilizers, irrigation water, and tillage will limit potential harm to AMF after vineyards are established. |
