Quality Characteristics of Vineyard Soil in the Conventional and Biodynamic Cultivation System of Chardonnay Vinifers

Abstract

Viticulture, particularly in the production of viniferous varieties, is one of the most present crops in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Soil indicators can be highlighted attributes linked to organic carbon, which have often been used, to assess soil quality. The objectives here were: a) to evaluate and compare soil quality characteristics of vineyards in the conventional and biodynamic cultivation system of chardonnay vinifers, together with areas of native forest, in the localities where the vineyards exist; b) to estimate the susceptibility to environmental impacts and possible soil degradation processes caused in soil management from cultivation systems and practices. The study was descriptive, exploratory and comparative of quantitative analysis. The sample was 26 vineyards and 19 corresponding native forests about 8 to 10 sub-samples, at a depth of 0 to 20 cm. The results showed an intermediate condition of VBI in relation to VCO and VAT, confirming the tendency of loss of initial soil characteristics from cultivation, but maintaining several attributes in a condition closer to that observed under natural vegetation.