Effetti della gestione del suolo e dell'intensità di precipitazione su deflusso ed erosione del suolo in vigneto

Runoff and soil erosion data have been collected from 2000 to 2013 in two differently managed field-scale vineyard plots within the "Tenuta Cannona" vineyard farm (Agrion foundation), located in the Alto Monferrato vine production area (NW Italy). Rainfall intensity information obtained by a disdrometer were also collected along with runoff and soil erosion measurements for some more recent rainfall-runoff events. The data were analyzed to evaluate the effects of two different soil management practices (conventional tillage and permanent grass) on the runoff and soil erosion processes in vineyards. Results showed that use of grass in the inter-row reduced mean annual runoff and soil erosion by 45% and 73%, respectively, if compared with conventional tillage. Despite the tillage operation that were executed after grape-harvest, the tilled soil showed the highest runoff rates in winter. The grass was more effective in reducing runoff and erosion in summer, as was confirmed during an intense summer storm which caused erosion of more than 5.6 Mg ha-1 in the tilled plot and negligible sediment yield in the vineyard managed with grass.