Cover crop management adapted to climate change: organic vineyard in Southern Spain

{Tool} Cover crop management adapted to climate change: organic vineyard in Southern Spain. Creator(s): Dietemann, Lauren. Issuing Organisation(s): FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture. (2026)

	Video (MP4) - Published Version - Spanish/Español 157B
Preview	Image (PNG) - Cover Image - English 1MB

Document available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOYOBtNM0ZQ

Summary

This video documents Francisco's climate adaptation strategy at Bodegas Robles, an organic vineyard in Montilla, Southern Spain. The film showcases how strategic cover crop management—tailored to seasonal climate conditions—builds soil resilience and protects vineyards against Mediterranean climate extremes. Content covers the motivations behind adaptive management, the decision-making process for choosing between green-mowing (humid) and incorporation (dry) techniques, soil health improvements (structure, organic matter, water infiltration), practical implementation with specific cover crop species and equipment, and forward-looking advice for other farmers facing climate uncertainty. Themes emphasize soil-vine health synergies and the operational flexibility needed for climate adaptation.

EPrint Type:	Practice tool
Teaser:	How an organic Spanish vineyard adapts cover crop management season-by-season to build resilience against climate change.
What problem does the tool address?:	Mediterranean vineyards face increasingly unpredictable weather patterns driven by climate change—extreme drought alternating with unexpected rainfall events. These climate extremes stress vines, degrade soil structure, reduce water infiltration capacity, and threaten both grape quality and yields. Conventional static vineyard management cannot adequately respond to this seasonal variability.
What solution does the tool offer?:	Climate-responsive cover crop management that adapts seasonal practices based on weather conditions: mowing cover crops green during humid seasons to preserve soil moisture and structure, or mowing and incorporating them during dry periods to build soil organic matter and improve water retention. This flexible, climate-adaptive approach strengthens soil resilience to both drought and heavy rainfall while protecting vine health.
Country:	Spain, Switzerland
Type of Practice Tool:	Video
Keywords:	cover plants, viticulture, grapes, climate change, climate change adaptation, climate-smart agriculture, crop management
Agrovoc keywords:	Language Value URI English cover plants http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1936 English viticulture http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8277 English grapes http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3359 English climate change http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1666 English climate change adaptation http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1374567058134 English climate-smart agriculture http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1361789093890 English crop management http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_16094
Subjects:	Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection Crop husbandry > Production systems > Fruit and berries > Viticulture Environmental aspects
Research affiliation:	European Union > Horizon Europe > OrganicClimateNET > created in project Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Sustainability > Climate European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:	101136880
Related Links:	https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57782, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/55493, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57661, https://organicclimatenet.eu/
Project ID:	OFK
Deposited By:	Dietemann, Lauren
ID Code:	57782
Deposited On:	09 Jun 2026 12:31
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 07:41
Document Language:	Spanish/Español
Status:	Published

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