1.2 Detalles de contacto de las personas de referencia e instituciones involucradas en la evaluación y la documentación de la Tecnología

Nombre del proyecto que financió la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Book project: where the land is greener - Case Studies and Analysis of Soil and Water Conservation Initiatives Worldwide (where the land is greener)

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Federal Research Station for fruit-growing, viticulture and horticulture (FAW/RAC) - Suiza

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Suiza

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

¿Cuándo se compilaron los datos (en el campo)?

01/10/2003

El compilador y la/s persona(s) de referencia claves aceptan las condiciones acerca del uso de los datos documentados mediante WOCAT:

Sí

1.5 Referencia al (los) Cuestionario(s) de Enfoques MST

2.1 Breve descripción de la Tecnología

Definición de la Tecnología:

Naturally growing or sown perennial grasses/herbs providing cover
between rows in sloping vineyards, where the vines are usually oriented up and down slope.

2.2 Descripción detallada de la Tecnología

Descripción:

The area around Lake Biel has a strong wine growing tradition dating back several centuries. The vineyards are, for micro-climatic reasons, sited on the southwest facing slope close to the lake. Annual rainfall is about 1,000 mm, with at least one erosive storm per year, and the soils are highly erodible. In conventional viniculture all weeds are controlled chemically. The ‘green cover technology’ comprises sown, or naturally occurring, perennial grasses and herbs which form a biodiverse green cover - a ‘living mulch’ - over the soil surface between vine rows. In this region, rows are generally oriented up and down the slope for ease of machine operation. Green cover may also be applied where vines are grown on narrow bench terraces. The purpose is the prevention of soil degradation, especially soil erosion by water. Secondary purposes include protection of the soil surface from compaction when using mechanised equipment, and promotion of biodiversity.
Green cover is generally established naturally - except on contour-planted terraced vineyards, where cover is planted for immediate stabilisation of the terraces. To avoid competition, a 10-40 cm diameter zone around the freshly planted vines is kept free from vegetation: during the three year establishment period it is removed by hoe, later it is controlled with herbicides (either as a strip along vine rows or around individual vines). The topsoil between the vine rows is ripped every few years with an implement pulled by a small caterpillar tractor. The green cover vegetation is cut, chopped and left as mulch several times using special mulching machines. These operations are not carried out over the whole field at once: alternate rows are left untouched to ensure that some vegetation remains to maintain biodiversity. When these rows redevelop their green cover, the others are then treated. This is effectively a minimum tillage system, building up organic matter in the soil. Cutting and mulching, in addition to ripping, serves to circulate nutrients. Mineral fertilizer and herbicides are applied once a year around the vines. Experiments with the technology started in the 1970s, but green cover has now become standard practice.
Supportive measures include not removing crop residues (from vineyards) which are chopped later - simultaneously with the cover crop (grass) - to protect the soil surface, and irrigation in dry years.

2.3 Fotografías de la Tecnología

2.5 País/ región/ lugares donde la Tecnología fue aplicada y que se hallan comprendidos por esta evaluación

2.6 Fecha de la implementación

Si no se conoce el año preciso, indique la fecha aproximada:

• hace menos de 10 años (recientemente)

2.7 Introducción de la Tecnología

Especifique cómo se introdujo la Tecnología:

• mediante proyectos/ intervenciones externas

Comentarios (tipo de proyecto, etc.):

The development of green cover in vineyards was (also on the international level) essentially promoted and supported by the Federal Research Station for fruit-growing, viticulture and horticulture in Wädenswil (Canton of Zürich)

3.2 Tipo(s) actuales de uso de la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): The main problem was decreasing soil fertility, especially through soil erosion by water, caused by lack of soil cover and intensive cultivation. There were associated negative offsite effects including sand/sediment deposition and contamination of groundwater by nutrients. This became a serious problem from the 1960s when the traditional labour-intensive methods were superseded by a mechanised-industrial agricultural system.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: a vine plantation is established for a period of 20-40 years (lifetime of a vine). Some farmers make one year of fallow between the destruction of the old and the establishment of a new plantation.

3.3 Información adicional sobre el uso de tierras

Comentarios:

Water supply: rainfed, mixed rainfed - irrigated

Número de temporadas de cultivo por año:

• 1

Especifique:

Longest growing period in days: 210Longest growing period from month to month: Apr - Oct

3.4 Grupo MST al que pertenece la Tecnología

• cobertura de suelo/ vegetal mejorada
• medida de pendiente transversal

3.5 Difusión de la Tecnología

Comentarios:

The technology is applied in all wine growing regions of Switzerland, but under different conditions. The technology described (SWI01) is based on a case study of one region

3.6 Medidas MST que componen la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Main measures: agronomic measures, vegetative measures

Specification of other agronomic measures: minimum tillage: cutting & mulching, ripping

Specification of other vegetative measures: cover cropping

Type of agronomic measures: mulching, manure / compost / residues, mineral (inorganic) fertilizers, breaking compacted topsoil

Type of vegetative measures: scattered / dispersed

3.7 Principales tipos de degradación del suelo encarados con la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Wo: offsite degradation effects, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Cp: soil pollution

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Pc: compaction, Pk: sealing and crusting

Main causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (agricultural causes: fast changing basic conditions of viticulture in the last 100 years), education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of knowledge), fast changing basic conditions of viticulture (economy, laws)

3.8 Prevención, reducción o restauración de la degradación del suelo

Especifique la meta de la Tecnología con relación a la degradación de la tierra:

• reducir la degradación del suelo

Comentarios:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Dibujo técnico de la Tecnología

4.2 Especificaciones técnicas/ explicaciones del dibujo técnico

Technical drawing of green cover on parcel with vine rows oriented up and down the slope. A = distance between vine rows (130-220 cm), B = zone of application of herbicides (10-40 cm).

Location: Twann, Lake of Biel. Canton of Berne

Date: June 2003

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, improvement of ground cover, improvement of soil structure

Secondary technical functions: increase of surface roughness, increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, increase in soil fertility

Mulching
Material/ species: cut or chopped cover vegetation
Remarks: dispersed over the whole surface; if possible cutting/chopping only every second row (alternating)

Agronomic measure: removing less vegetation cover
Material/ species: cut or chopped cover vegetation, vine leaves and cut branches
Remarks: between vine rows

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: compost
Remarks: only sporadically (every 5-10 year or less)

Mineral (inorganic) fertilizers
Material/ species: nitrogen
Quantity/ density: 0-50 kg/ha
Remarks: normally rather little nitrogen

Agronomic measure: mineral (inorganic) fertilizers: potassium
Quantity/ density: 0-20 kg

Agronomic measure: mineral (inorganic) fertilizers: magnesium
Quantity/ density: 0-25 kg

Agronomic measure: mineral (inorganic) fertilizers: phosphorus
Quantity/ density: 0-20 kg

Breaking compacted topsoil
Remarks: if possible: only every second row (alternating)

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: G : grass

Grass species: different grass species, taraxacum, veronica, legumes, calystegia, geranium...

4.3 Información general sobre el cálculo de insumos y costos

otra / moneda nacional (especifique):

Swiss Franc

Indique la tasa de cambio de USD a la moneda local (si fuese relevante): 1 USD =:

0,75

4.4 Actividades de establecimiento

	Actividad	Tipo de medida	Momento
1.	Allow natural cover to establish.	Vegetativas	winter/spring, usually at the same time as a new plantation is established
2.	Weeding around base of vines to reduce competition, 2–4 times during	Vegetativas	during season (Mai – October), 2 - 4 times, when necessary.

4.5 Costos e insumos necesarios para el establecimiento

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	Labour	ha	1,0	13800,0	13800,0	100,0
Equipo	Machine use	ha	1,0	1000,0	1000,0	100,0
Equipo	Tools	ha	1,0			100,0
Material para plantas	Seeds of natural vegetation	ha	1,0			100,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Fertilizer	ha	1,0	200,0	200,0	100,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Biocides	ha	1,0			100,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Compost/manure	ha	1,0			100,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología					15000,0

Comentarios:

Duration of establishment phase: 36 month(s)

4.6 Actividades de establecimiento/ recurrentes

	Actividad	Tipo de medida	Momento/ frequencia
1.	cuting and not removing vine leaves and branches	Agronómicas	winter / annual
2.	Apply mineral fertilizer to the vines (particularly K, N, P, Mg)	Agronómicas	April/May / annual
3.	Cut cover vegetation with a portable motor scythe or mower with	Agronómicas	during cropping season (first time April/May) / each row 2-4 times during cropping season
4.	cuting and not removing vine leaves and branches	Agronómicas	during cropping season / several times during cropping season
5.	Minimum tillage (rip topsoil) of alternating inter-rows with machine	Agronómicas	April/May / each row every 4-8 years
6.	Application of herbicides (glyphosates)	Vegetativas	beginning of season (May), if necessary second time in Aug./Sept /once (if necessary twice) during s
7.	Cut/chop vine leaves and wood for mulching	Agronómicas	during growing season, 2-4 times

4.7 Costos e insumos necesarios para actividades de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (por año)

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	Labour	ha	1,0	1500,0	1500,0	100,0
Equipo	Machine use	ha	1,0	650,0	650,0	100,0
Equipo	Tools	ha	1,0			100,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Fertilizer	ha	1,0	60,0	60,0	100,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Biocides	ha	1,0	90,0	90,0	100,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Compost/manure	ha	1,0			100,0
Indique los costos totales para mantenecer la Tecnología					2300,0

Comentarios:

Machinery/ tools: e.g.: hoe, mower with tracked vehicle or portable motor scythe, spading machine with tracked vehicle; knapsack sprayer or biocide tank transported by

Costs are calculated on the basis of vine rows being oriented up and down the slope, a distance between rows of
1.3-2.2 m and 6,500 vines per ha on a slope of <60%. Establishment costs have been estimated and are representative of the situation when green cover is encouraged to establish at the same time as new vines are planted (normal practice). This means that the estimated costs include all the annual agronomic and vegetative inputs within the first 3 years during the establishment phase. If green cover is implemented more than 3 years after planting new vines, establishment costs are much reduced, because the vines are bigger, competition with the green cover is less, and the vines are not so sensitive to herbicides, which permits the replacement of labour intensive manual weeding by application of herbicides. Maintenance costs are based on one typical winegrower in the region. Initial investments in machinery and costs directly attributable to ‘plant capital’ (the vines) are not included.

4.8 Factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Describa los factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Labour is the major cost component, since wage levels are very high in Switzerland.

5.1 Clima

5.2 Topografía

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre topografía :

Altitudinal zones: 501-1000 m a.s.l. (For climatic reasons vines grow hardly above 600 m a.s.l. in Switzerland )
Landforms: Hill slopes (most of them southeastward sloping hills (part of the Jura mountain range) )

5.3 Suelos

Si se halla disponible, adjunte una descripción completa de los suelos o especifique la información disponible, por ej., tipo de suelo, pH/ acidez de suelo, capacidad de intercambio catiónico, nitrógeno, salinidad, etc. :

Soil depth on average: Deep (81-120cm) (Soil depth is very irregular, at some places limestone rocks appear at the surface, at other places soil can be quite deep).
Soil fertility is medium (Vines are normally grown on rather marginal spots. Compared to the general productivity these soils have a medium fertility. (If measured at the vine itself, soil fertility is sufficient/high).
Topsoil organic matter is medium (1-3%) (without / before SWC (green cover)
Soil drainage/infiltration is mostly good, at some points medium (at some spots medium (depressions; when high percentage of clay).
Soil water storage capacity is medium (without / before SWC (green cover)), high (without / before SWC (green cover)) or low (without / before SWC (green cover). Depressions; when high percentage of clay)

5.6 Las características de los usuarios de la tierra que aplican la Tecnología

Indique otras características relevantes de los usuarios de las tierras:

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%
100% of the land users are average wealthy.
Off-farm income specification: This is representative for the full time winegrowers. The majority of winegrowers do winegrowing beside a regular off-farm job (partly 10-50% of income with salary from off-farm work) as a hobby. Nearly all winegrowers have implementeted the SWC technology. Probably there is no difference in hobby-winegrowers and full-time-winegrowers concernring implementation of the SWC technology.
Level of mechanization is manual labour (most of the work in the vineyard is done by hand (especially harvest)) or mechanised (some of the activities are carried out with fuel driven equipment. But mechanisation is moderate since big and heavy machines cannot been applied in these vineyards)
Market orientation is: Commercial/market (in the region of the lake of Biel the majority of grapes are pressed to wine an then and sold directly from the farm's wine cellar)

5.7 Área promedio de la tierra que pertenece a o es arrendada por usuarios de tierra que aplican la Tecnología

5.8 Tenencia de tierra, uso de tierra y derechos de uso de agua

Tenencia de tierra:

• individual, con título

Derechos de uso de tierra:

• arrendamiento
• individual

6.1 Impactos in situ demostrados por la Tecnología

Impactos socioeconómicos

Producción

Ingreso y costos

Otros impactos socioeconómicos

Impactos socioculturales

Impactos ecológicos

Suelo

Biodiversidad: vegetación, animales

Otros impactos ecológicos

6.2 Impactos fuera del sitio demostrados por la Tecnología

6.4 Análisis costo-beneficio

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de establecimiento (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

6.5 Adopción de la Tecnología

De todos quienes adoptaron la Tecnología, ¿cuántos lo hicieron espontáneamente, es decir, sin recibir incentivos/ pagos materiales?

• 90-100%

Comentarios:

10% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

90% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Nearly all of the land users have adopted green cover independently of the direct incentives received for growing vines. The spontaneous spread of green cover occurred before these incentives were tied to ‘ecological production’. Note: Swiss agriculture in general is highly subsidised (see approach).

6.7 Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades de la Tecnología

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
Personal satisfaction/challenge for ecologically and economically sustainable viniculture How can they be sustained / enhanced? Promote ecologically sustainable agriculture.
Increased exchange of knowledge and contacts in winegrowers’ associations How can they be sustained / enhanced? Sustain/strengthen farmers’ institutions.
Improved knowledge/awareness regarding SWC/erosion: among winegrowers, but perhaps also to some extent among consumers (through ecological marketing) or walkers passing by.

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
Prevention of erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintain green cover
Improvement of soil quality (fertility, organic matter, moisture retention, soil structure) How can they be sustained / enhanced? Ensure that cover vegetation doesn’t compete with the vines; improve soil properties by applying mentioned agronomic measures.
Contribution to a better balanced and more stable ecosystem (with living space for a wider range of organisms) How can they be sustained / enhanced? Specific management of cover crops (alternating treatment of inter-rows; find solutions to replace application of herbicide).
In the long-term economically beneficial because of cutting costs of restoration of soils and fertility loss after heavy erosion events.
Possibilities of farm income increase through marketing wine under the ‘vinatura’ label, certifying ecologically produced wine.

6.8 Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos de la Tecnología y formas de sobreponerse a ellos

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
General competition of water and nutrients depending on climate, soil depth and species of cover vegetation	Eliminate/reduce competitive effect of cover vegetation by cutting/mulching vegetation or ripping/ploughing soil.
Application of herbicides around vines because of undesirable vegetation in proximity of vine	Find alternative solutions, or minimise application of herbicides.