1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE MADRID (UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE MADRID) - Spain

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

IMIDRA (IMIDRA) - Spain

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

12/09/2008

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Use of cover crops to prevent erosion and increase soil organic matter.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In total there were 66 rows of vineyards of the Tempranillo red variety, spaced 3 m apart with a distance of 2.5 m between vines. To date they have been worked using conventional tilling without herbicides: most of the work is done mainly in the winter, followed by two or three sessions in spring aimed at controlling the growth of weeds, which is conditioned by the spring rains.
The technology is based on minimum tillage and the use of Secale cereale L and Brachypodium distachyon (L.) as cover crops to protect the soil against erosion and to increase the organic matter.

Purpose of the Technology: The main purposes of this technology are to fight against erosion and water runoff and to increase soil organic matter.
Indirectly this technology contributes to increase biodiversity in the vineyards and it could have some positive effects on wine quality (related to the content of sugar and poliphenoles) as proved by some authors (Dry et al., 2001).
Cover crops usually increase the soil moisture but on the other hand, along the summer, the cover crops and the vines are in competition for the scarce water available in the area.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The plant cover in the centre of the rows was sown in mid-November, following the copious rains in the autumn of 2006. A minimum tillage (15cm depth) is carried out before sowing. The seeding rates were 70 kg/ha for rye, Secale cereale L., and 40 kg/ha for purple false brome, Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P. Beauv. This latter cover had to be reseeded by hand since the seeds have to be buried at a very low depth. It sprouts in late winter or early spring and by late June it is already mature and dry, at which point it self-sows and it sprouts spontaneously again the following autumn. The Secale cover has to be cut in spring and re-sown in late autumn.
Once sown, the resulting vineyard was divided into alternating rows with three treatments: bare soil with traditional tilling, rows covered with Secale and rows covered with Brachypodium.
The maintenance activities consist of no tillage in winter and conservation of natural cover crops until spring.

Natural / human environment: The area is at an altitude of 800 m, in a semiarid Mediterranean climate where the recorded annual rainfall is below 400 mm and the average annual temperature is 14 ºC, with very hot and occasionally stormy summers and very cold winters. It rains primarily in spring and autumn.
The farmland is predominantly dry, especially where olives and vines are planted. Oaks (holm, Portuguese and hermes) can be found in nearby wild areas and in abandoned terrains. The study focused on the area of Campo Real in the southeast of Madrid, in the centre of Spain. The vineyard covers an area of some 2 ha of rolling hills and is located on top of limestone marl.
The farmer is the owner of the land where the technology was implemented as well as he owns other plots. The land user is one of the few organic producers in the region.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Projects FP 06-DR3-VID IMIDRA and RTA2007-86 INIA, Bodegas y Viñedos Gosálbez-Ortí.

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Erosion and low soil organic matter content.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Water scarcity, climatic extreme events, low agricultural income.

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 75Longest growing period from month to month: February-April (Secale cereale)Second longest growing period in days: 90Second longest growing period from month to month: February-June (B distachyon)

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.02 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: better crop cover, contour planting / strip cropping, cover cropping, mulching, manure / compost / residues, breaking crust / sealed surface, minimum tillage

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Pc: compaction, Pk: sealing and crusting, Bl: loss of soil life

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Bare soil by traditional tillage in sloping lands), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Lack of vegetation increases soil erodibility), disturbance of water cycle (infiltration / runoff) (Increase the annual rate of rain infiltration due to high vegetation cover), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (Extreme events- storms), droughts

Secondary causes of degradation: other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (Slope between 10 to 15%), land tenure (Uncertainties on future land tenure implies overexploitation of land in the short run)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Cover crops are sown in the middle of the strips of the lines of vineyard.(Bare soil under the vines: 50 cm wide; cropped strips: 2 m wide)

Location: Campo Real. Madrid, Spain

Date: 2008

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate (Selection of cover crops and management.
Botanical and agronomic knowledge required.)

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (Use of appropriate machinery.)

Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, improvement of ground cover, increase of surface roughness, improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting, increase of biomass (quantity), promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)

Secondary technical functions: increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase / maintain water stored in soil, increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater

Better crop cover
Material/ species: Secale cereale
Quantity/ density: 70 kg/ha
Remarks: decrease soil erosion and it does not compete for water.

Contour planting / strip cropping
Material/ species: Vineyard plus cereals
Remarks: bare soil under the vines: 50 cm wide; cropped strips: 2 m wide

Cover cropping
Material/ species: Brachypodium distachyon
Quantity/ density: 40 kg/ha
Remarks: best coverage and SOM increase, but reduces the grape production too much due to water competition

Mulching
Material/ species: Straw of Secale cereale
Remarks: Conservation of cut rye on site

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: Secale cereale and Brachypodium distachyon
Remarks: roots and residues (straw) left in soil increase SOM

Breaking crust / sealed surface
Remarks: cover crops avoid soil crusting

Minimum tillage
Material/ species: up to 15 cm soil depth
Quantity/ density: 15 cm
Remarks: before sowing

Vegetative measure: in the middle of the lines of vines
Vegetative material: G : grass

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: G : grass

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: G : grass

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: G : grass

Fruit trees / shrubs species: Grapes (50cm) /grass see G (cover crops) (2m)

Grass species: rye (Secale cereale) and bromus (Brachypodium distachyon) (2m)

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

euro

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

1.34

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Buy secale cereale seed, 70 kg per ha	Agronomic
2.	Buy B. distachyon seed, 40 kg per ha	Agronomic

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour	ha	1.0	140.7	140.7	100.0
Equipment	Machine use	ha	1.0	51.46	51.46	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	354.43	354.43
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					546.59

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 6 month(s)
Life span of the product: B. distachyon seed, 4-5 years
Life span of the product: Secale cereale seed, 1 year

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Minimum tillage and seeding in one go (Secale cereale)	Agronomic	Annually in late autumn or winter
2.	Seeding (B distachyon)	Agronomic	Every 5 years
3.	Mowing Secale cereale 1 ha	Agronomic	Once a year

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour	ha	1.0	140.7	140.7	100.0
Equipment	Machine use	ha	1.0	51.46	51.46	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	113.23	113.23
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					305.39

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: tractor, brushcutter

Grass strips per hectare in 2008.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour and price of B. distachyon seeds as it is not a commercial seed.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Rolling (10-14%)

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil texture is medium (sandy loam)
Soil fertility is medium
Topsoil organic matter is medium (1.3%)
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: No data avalilable
Availability of surface of water: During the maximum water requirements of vines (June-July) water is not available usually.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly Leaders / privileged
Difference in the involvement of women and men: Traditionally vineyard sector in Spain is driven by men.
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: negative
Off-farm income specification: This information is not available.
Market orientation is commercial/market (wine).

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well
local windstorm	not known

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	well

Comments:

The species were chosen to be tolerant to drought and poor soil conditions

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

This particular land user is an organic farmer and he is willing to change his manangament practices but tradtional farmers in the region have a very negative vision of this kind of SLM techs.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

1

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

1 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

There is no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Increase in wine quality How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintaining this SLM practice along the time
Prevention of erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintaining this SLM practice along the time
Decrease in intensity and frequency of tillage How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintaining this SLM practice along the time

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Increase of soil organic matter How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintaining this SLM practice along the time
Prevention of runoff and soil erosion (change of bare (tilled) soil by cover crops) How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintaining this SLM practice along the time
Increase in biodiversity How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintaining this SLM practice along the time
Increase in wine quality (related to the content of sugar and polyphenols), as proved by some authors (Dry et al., 2001) How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintaining this SLM practice along the time
The costs are reduced through reduced use of tractor (decreased intensity of tillage) How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintaining this SLM practice along the time

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Lack of knowledge or training to adopt this technologies	Awareness raising campaigns

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Soil moisture decreases during certain months	Mowing the cover in spring
High costs of the most effective seed (8.04$/kg) (B. distachyon)	Using other similar and cheaper seeds

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

M.J. Marques , S. García-Muñoz , G. Muñoz-Organero , R. Bienes. 2009. Soil conservation beneath grass cover in hillside vineyards under mediterranean climatic conditions. Land Degradation and Development. 21: 122-131.

Ruiz-Colmenero, S; Bienes R.; Marques MJ. 2011. Soil and water conservation dilemmas associated with the use of green cover in steep vineyards. Soil & Tillage Research 117, 211-223.

Bienes R., Marques MJ, Ruiz Colmenero M 2012. Cereales, viñedos y olivares. El manejo tradicional del suelo y sus consecuencias en la erosión hídrica. La erosión y la hidrología en campos de cultivo en España. Cuadernos de Investigación Geográfica 38(1), 49-74.

Ruiz-Colmenero, M., Bienes, R., Eldridge, D.J. and Marqués, M.J. 2013. Vegetation cover reduces erosion and enhances soil organic carbon in a vineyard in the central Spain. Catena. 104, 153-160.