Allelopathic potential of leachates of cover crops and weeds on young vines

Abstract

Interactions between vines and herbaceous species may involve competition for resources and allelopathy. It is presumed that certain cover crops and weeds have allelopathic effects on the growth of grapevines. The objectives were: a) to evaluate the effect of leachate from irrigation of different cover crops on vines and b) to determine its inhibitory effect on seed germination. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted with cover crops and potted vines. Eleven leachates from different green covers and a bare soil control were tested with a randomized design and five replicates. The vegetative and productive expression of the vines was evaluated. Seed germination tests were conducted using leachate from irrigation and different concentrations of the aqueous solution. Adverse effects were not detected in the vegetative growth, the grape production in young vines or the germination of other plant species. The pot trial showed that there is an interaction between cover crops and soil, whereby the balance of nutrients is altered depending on the species. This balance can positively or negatively affect the growth of the vines.