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Subject

Cover Crop Species, History and Uses

Description

Bell beans can be grown alone or in mixes.

A cover crop is a noneconomic crop that is grown in vineyard middles and occasionally in vine rows. Most cover crops are classified as winter or summer annuals, which germinate and die in one year or less, or perrenials, which live for three or more years. Often, cover crops are also classified based on taxonomy, most being either legumes (Fabaceae family) such as clovers and vetches, or grasses (Poaceae family) such as barley and fescues. Other plant types used as cover crops include brassicas (Brassicaceae family) and phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae family). In addition, weeds are often simply allowed to grow and be managed like a cover crop. This "resident vegetation" offers some of the benefits of a sown cover crop, such as improved water penetraton, although the plant species may vary greatly and may include undesirable weeds.

People

Robert Bugg
Chuck Ingels
Karen Klonsky

Publications

Ingels, C., and Klonsky, K. 1998. Historical and Current Uses (PDF). Pages 3-7 in Cover Cropping in Vineyards: A Grower's Handbook. Ingels et al, editors. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3338. Oakland, CA. Buy Book

Ingels, C., and Klonsky, K. 1998. Cover Crop Species and Descriptions (PDF). Pages 8-26 in Cover Cropping in Vineyards: A Grower's Handbook. Ingels et al, editors. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3338. Oakland, CA. Buy Book

McGourty, G., Tylicki, S., Price, J., and Nosera, J. 2006. Performance of 18 cover crop species in new high elevation North Coast vineyard (PDF). Practical Winery and Vineyard XXVIII (4):10-19.

This website is a work in progress of the University of California (UC) Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR) Integrated Grape Production Workgroup. It is designed to increase accessability to the work of UC researchers, including faculty, Cooperative Extension (CE) specialists, CE advisors, and staff. UC Researchers interested in contributing content are invited to contact Deborah Golino dagolino@ucdavis.edu to discuss possible contributions.