As part of the EU project Life VineAdapt, since 2021 the driving lanes at the Silberberg State Winery and at partner wineries in Styria have been planted with a species-rich, permanent cover crop mixture in the central strip and a grass mixture in the driving lanes , and the results have been evaluated. The seed is G-Zert certified and comes from regional collections of wild plants.
The plant technology achieved very good results in two work steps:
- Seedbed preparation between the tractor tires with a rotor-type reverse harrow
- Sowing of a diverse mixture with shallow placement using a Güttler device between the wheel tracks and subsequent rolling with a prism roller.
A mixture of lawn grasses was sown simultaneously in the driving lanes using the split seed box.
With optimal care, the vegetation can persist in the median strip for up to 10 years . Using a biodiversity mulcher, or removing the middle mulcher blades, allows the sown species to flower, serve as a nectar source for insects, and allow the seeds to ripen.
Would you like to learn more about diverse permanent cover crop mixtures and innovative planting techniques in viticulture? Then listen to our podcast!
In this podcast episode, Dr. Andreas Steinwidder talks with Dr. Wilhelm Graiss about species-rich permanent cover crop mixtures and innovative planting techniques in viticulture – just take a look:
