S15 - Session P3 - Multiple benefits of soil agroecological strategies in an Italian vineyard (cv. Sangiovese) prone to drought

Authors: Alessandra Lombini *, Adamo Domenico Rombolà

Soil agroecological strategies can transform agricultural systems into quantitatively important sites for the provision of ecosystem services (protection of water, soil, biodiversity and landscape, carbon sequestration and efficient use of water resources), able to actively counteract climate change. In this context, we developed an agroecological strategy consisting in the cultivation, along the row, of self-reseeding legumes (eg. subterranean clover) and grasses with low water requirements and of a mixture of herbaceous species (eg. French honeysuckle, field beans, barley) or spontaneous vegetation in the alley. The experimental study was carried out in the period 2016-2021 in a vineyard (cv. Sangiovese) located in the hilly viticultural area, prone to drought, of Castel Bolognese (Emilia-Romagna region, Italy). Two treatments were compared: Control (C) and AgroEcological strategy (AE). The inclusion of the different above mentioned species, particularly of self-reseeding legumes, improved soil organic matter content, clearly reduced soil cracking phenomena and improved plant water status, productive capacity and resilience of the viticultural system. Data highlight the relevant role of redesigning agricultural strategies and systems to counteract climate change and desertification in vineyard agroecosystems.