A field study on the management practices in a productive vineyard for efficient C sequestration and improved water resistance of soil structure

Abstract The current study explores the soil management practices in a productive vineyard in Slovakia from the viewpoint of soil organic matter and water resistance of soil structure. Five distinct management practices - Intensive tillage system (T); Intensive tillage system with poultry manure (T + M); Strip grass (G); Fertilization in lower rates of NPK (NPK1); and Fertilization in higher level of NPK (NPK2) - were adopted to observed growth of vine. During a period of 14 years, the soil samples were characterized to measure soil parameters including soil organic matter (SOM) and size fractions of water-stable aggregates. The application of NPK1 to grass strips appeared to result in highest improvements in SOM and soil structure while G between vines rows most effectively improved soil structure and C sequestration. Based on principal component analysis, soil organic carbon had a more significant influence on the content of water-stable aggregates than labile carbon. Intense changes in SOM took place in larger size fractions of water-stable macroaggregates more than 2 mm, while smaller water-stable macroaggregates below 2 mm and water-stable microaggregates were more stable.