Sowing subterranean clover - a self-reseeding cover crop in vineyard rows

{Tool} Sowing subterranean clover - a self-reseeding cover crop in vineyard rows. Creator(s): Gabriele Tramacere, Lorenzo and Antichi, Daniele. Issuing Organisation(s): UNIPI - University of Pisa. (2024)

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Preview	PDF - Published Version - Greek/Ellinika 760kB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - Spanish/Español 809kB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - Croatian/Hrvatski jezik 811kB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - French/Francais 788kB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - Portuguese/Portugues 816kB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - Italian/Italiano 803kB

Document available online at: https://climed-fruit.eu/results/

Summary

This practice abstract gives you practical recommendations and a simplified cost-benefit analysis.

EPrint Type:	Practice tool
Teaser:	A self-reseeding cover crop in the under-row area of the vineyard.
What problem does the tool address?:	In Tuscany, Italy, vineyard soil and weed management is based on mechanical treatments between rows and herbicide application under the row, with a negative impact on soil fertility, soil conservation and biodiversity. Intensive tillage systems and harsh climate events due to climate change increase erosion phenomena.
What solution does the tool offer?:	The innovative approach involved introducing an annual self-reseeding legume cover crop under the rows, complemented by a perennial grass-legume mixture sown in the inter-rows. Specifically, a subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum spp. brachycalicinum L.) was sown under the rows once in late summer/early autumn and lasted for 3 to 4 years thanks to its self-reseeding capacity. The clover biomass serves as living mulch in autumn, winter and spring, transitioning to dead mulch in summer, thus minimising competition with grapevines for water and nutrients and reducing drought stress thanks to the soil coverage during the summer. At the end of summer, the spontaneous germination of clover seeds initiates a new biological cycle under the rows, offering benefits such as suppressing weed emergence and improving soil fertility.
Country:	Italy
Type of Practice Tool:	Practice abstracts
Keywords:	climate change, climate change adaptation, climate-smart agriuclture, resilience, viticulture, grapes, cover plants, drought resistance
Agrovoc keywords:	Language Value URI 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 resilience http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1374480530924 English viticulture http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8277 English grapes http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3359 English cover plants http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1936 English drought resistance http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2392
Subjects:	Crop husbandry > Crop combinations and interactions Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection Crop husbandry > Production systems > Fruit and berries > Viticulture Environmental aspects Farming Systems > Farm nutrient management
Research affiliation:	European Union > Horizon Europe > OrganicClimateNET > selected tools European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge Italy > Univ. Pisa, Agricultural Sciences
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:	101136880
Related Links:	https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57926, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/55429, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57782, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/55493, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57902, https://climed-fruit.eu/, https://organicclimatenet.eu/
Project ID:	OFK
Deposited By:	Dietemann, Lauren
ID Code:	57926
Deposited On:	10 Aug 2026 14:59
Last Modified:	11 Aug 2026 09:37
Document Language:	English, Croatian/Hrvatski jezik, French/Francais, Greek/Ellinika, Italian/Italiano, Portuguese/Portugues, Spanish/Español
Status:	Published

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