Effect of composted mulch application on soil and wine grape potassium status
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Date
2011
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Abstract
Oversupply of potassium (K) to grape vines can result in high grape berry K and pH, leading to difficulty in wine making and low wine quality. There is concern that application of mulch to grape vines may increase K supply and the associated risks. The effect of composted mulch from green wastes was investigated in a field trial involving six vineyards in New South Wales on soils commonly used for' viticulture production in Australia, over three seasons (2006-D8). Significant increases in extractable soil K were detected as a result of mulch application. Higher berry K and pH were also observed due to the mulch treatments, with the changes dependent on season and mulch rate. Increases in berry K were significantly related to the higher soil exchangeable K. The mean increase in berry K due to a mulch rate of 153 Meter cube/ha was 123 mg/kg. The mean increase in berry pH was 0.02 units observed ,in two seasons. Application of mulch can increase berry K and pH, but the changes are small compared with variations observed among vineyard sites and between seasons.
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Keywords
exchangeable potassium, recycled organics, vineyard variability
Citation
Soil Research, 2011 , 49, 455-461