Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Applied Fruit Science, cilt.67, sa.4, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
This study investigated the simultaneous effect of non-chemical, environmentally friendly cover crops on weeds and nematodes in vineyards under Green Deal and drought conditions. Cover crops including grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.), berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and common vetch + triticale (Vicia sativa L. + Triticale sp.) were planted as cover crops in 2021–2022 in the Mediterranean basin of southern Türkiye. The found effects of weed and nematode populations were compared to control groups (glyphosate [herbicide], weedy and weed-free plots), to provide an alternative to chemical control. Irrigated (50% water) and non-irrigated (rainfed) levels were the main factors in the split-plot design. Three rows were established in one irrigation regime and randomised subplots were set on one vine row. Despite limited irrigation conditions due to climate change, cover crops were found to be effective in suppressing both weed and nematode populations in vineyards. In weed control, weed-free (0.00 plants m−2) and Vicia sativa + triticale (10.00–25.00%; 0.50–1.00 plants m−2) conditions were found to be the most effective in both years compared to the subplots where herbicide was applied once in both irrigation regimes. The efficacy average nematode density rates in both irrigation conditions of weed-free, Vicia sativa + triticale and glyphosate were 65%, 50% and 16% for total nematodes and 65%, 59% and 25% for Paratylenchus spp. respectively. It was determined that one application of herbicide was insufficient, and that cover crops with appropriate adaptation could suppress the nematodes. Our findings suggest that cover crops can be used as an alternative to chemical control for weed and nematode control at the same time in different vineyard irrigation regimes.