Protocols for soil functionality assessment in vineyards

Summary

The purpose of this guideline is to describe the methods used during ReSolVe project for soil functionality assessment, so they can be implemented in similar studies.
A brief introduction first underlines what are the main functions of soil and why maintaining an optimal soil functionality is particularly of major interest in viticulture.
Then the different protocols selected for ReSolVe project and this guideline are presented according to the following classification:
- Part I: assessment of soil physical and chemical features;
- Part II: assessment of soil biological features (ecosystem service provision and providers);
- Part III: assessment of rhizosphere biological features;
- Part IV: assessment of grapevine quantitative and qualitative indicators reflecting soil functionality.
In each part, global objectives of the monitoring are explained (what is it used for, in which cases…) and the parameters to evaluate are listed with their corresponding methodological sheet.
In these sheets, instructions and information are given about:
- Materials needed to perform the sampling and the measurement
- Sampling procedure
- Analysis procedure
- Possible interpretations and conclusions that can be drawn (value and meaning of the results, indication of reference values when existing, potential limit of the protocol)
- Bibliographic references related to the method described
- Additional helpful information where appropriate (ex: template of sampling sheet)