Abstract
Ground cover between the rows of vineyards and orchards is a more widely used solution in the international context than in Hungary. The application of cover crops in Hungary has somewhat intensified in recent years with the rise of organic farming.
The aim of the present project is to examine different grass species for utilization in plantations and to develop a new grass seed mixture that ensures the protection of the soil, improves its water management and increases its organic matter content.
The cover crop also plays an important role in natural pest control, as it provides alternative food and shelter for natural enemies of insect pests.
The grass seed mixture developed as a result of the project can also offer significant cost savings. In plantations without row cover crop, row spacing must be cultivated regularly, by dialing, tillage, cultivation, which involves considerable costs.
The assessment of the significance and use value of grasses as cover crop in vineyards and orchards can be done according to the role of soil protection, helping biodiversity, improving environmental protection and microclimate.
When developing a special grass seed mixture within the framework of the project, the grass species – included in the mixture – must have the following characteristics:
- develops a large but not deep (15-30 cm) root system,
- creates a large number of laterally branched root shoots close to the ground surface,
- slow-growing, low-growing and require less mowing during the growing season,
- characterized by moderate nutrient and water intake,
- drought, salt and frost tolerant with a long life-span.
Hungary