Tillage and frost in the vineyard: how to anticipate practices to avoid increasing the risks

{Tool} Tillage and frost in the vineyard: how to anticipate practices to avoid increasing the risks. Creator(s): Delanoue, G.. Issuing Organisation(s): IFV - Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin. (2024)

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Preview	PDF - Published Version - Spanish/Español 526kB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - Croatian/Hrvatski jezik 522kB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - French/Francais 575kB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - Italian/Italiano 520kB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - Portuguese/Portugues 552kB

Document available online at: https://climed-fruit.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FV-19.Tillage-and-frost-EPA_EN.pdf

Summary

This practice abstract provides information about the benefits as well as practical recommendations and a simplified cost-benefit analysis.

EPrint Type:	Practice tool
Teaser:	Tillage recommendations when there is a risk of spring frost.
What problem does the tool address?:	Spring, particularly the month of April, is the period for resuming tillage. As temperatures increase, weeds resume actively growing, the soils dry out from winter precipitation and tractors can pass, so it is imperative to prepare the cavaillon (area located under the vines in the axis of the row) for future work by carrying out décavaillonnage to remove the mounds of earth that have formed at the foot of the vines at the start of winter and thus limit the growth of weeds. In a context of reducing the use of herbicides, these cavaillon working techniques are increasingly being adopted by winegrowers. In 2020, it was observed that a 25% increase in air humidity can lead to a 50% increase in the number of frozen buds at the same temperature. This phenomenon is explained by relative humidity, which increases when the temperature decreases, increasing plants’ sensitivity to spring frost. Previously moistened surfaces are more sensitive to frost phenomena. Anticipating the risk of spring frost is a major issue. Anticipatory and prophylactic solutions are possible, in particular by adapting cultural practices. The objective is to know the factors that increase the effects of freezing and to reduce the impacts of these episodes by adapting practices better.
What solution does the tool offer?:	By anticipating tillage practices, it is possible to avoid increased damage from spring frost on broken buds. Whether it is tillage itself or grass cover management, the objective is to have the buds in the driest environment possible.
Country:	France
Type of Practice Tool:	Practice abstracts
Keywords:	climate change, climate change adaptation, climate-smart agriculture, resilience, viticulture, grapes, tillage
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 tillage http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7771
Subjects:	Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection Crop husbandry > Production systems > Fruit and berries > Viticulture Environmental aspects
Research affiliation:	European Union > Horizon Europe > OrganicClimateNET > selected tools European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:	101136880
Related Links:	https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57957, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57782, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57910, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57902, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/55986, https://organicclimatenet.eu/, https://climed-fruit.eu/
Project ID:	OFK
Deposited By:	Dietemann, Lauren
ID Code:	57957
Deposited On:	11 Aug 2026 07:29
Last Modified:	11 Aug 2026 09:35
Document Language:	English, Croatian/Hrvatski jezik, French/Francais, Greek/Ellinika, Italian/Italiano, Portuguese/Portugues, Spanish/Español
Status:	Published

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