Evaluation of leaching potential of nutrinets from vineyards soil

Vineyard fertilization practices is an important part of managing a vineyard since it impacts on vine growth, crop yield and wine quality. However, there are concerns about the of-site impacts of vineyard nutrient losses (especially of N and P) on the water quality standards. This research was carried out in two vineyards chosen as study plots (SP) for their heterogeneous pedological and climate characteristics: (SP1) located in the coastal wine-growing region, prevalent soil type is hydroameliorated- pipe drainage regosol and (SP2) located in the continental wine-growing region, prevalent soil type is Rigosol from Pseudogley of sloping terrains developed on Pleistocene loam and Pliocene clay substrata on a hillslope terrain. The physical and hydrologic characteristics of the soils were determined from soil samples collected from both SP. Lysimeters were installed at both SP and undisturbed soil columns taken from both locations for the assessment of nitrate and phosphate downward mobility through the soil profile by applying irrigation and a known nutrients concentration (in correspondence to the applied agricultural practices). Water samples from lysimeters and leachate from soli columns were taken periodically depending on rainfall occurrence and analyzed for nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and phosphate concentrations. The SP1 generated more intensive drainage and higher nutrient leaching than the SP2. This study demonstrates that the risk of nutrient leaching from each SP is a combination of factors associated with the soil texture, infiltration rate, field capacity. Still, the possibility of nutrients losses from vineyards soils through the erosion, surface runoff and subsurface leaching will be further studied.