https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2025.1729
Soil compaction in Northern Italian vineyards: challenges and mitigation strategies
Published: 13 February 2025
Abstract Views: 32
PDF_early view: 28
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
Soil compaction presents significant challenges for perennial crops, which occupy the same land for many years. The practice of arranging plants in rows and the frequent use of heavy machinery is leading to soil compaction and rut formation. A study conducted in espaliers vineyards in Northern Italy (Oltrepò, Lombardy region) examined the effects of grass-covered versus tilled inter-rows and the influence of mechanical versus manual harvesting. The study was based on a series of penetrometer resistance measurements conducted throughout the entire growing season. Early-season measurements revealed values exceeding 4 MPa, surpassing the 1-3 MPa threshold identified in the literature as a limit for root growth, grape quality, and susceptibility to pathogens. The negative impact of soil compaction was not limited to the ruts formed by agricultural machinery but also affected adjacent areas. The well-documented regeneration of agricultural soil structure during the cold season was in these cases inadequate to alleviate the significant compaction observed. Furthermore, mechanical harvesting, particularly in wet conditions, significantly exacerbated soil compaction, with measurements indicating nearly 5 MPa in ruts. These findings underscore the imperative for implementing strategies aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of soil compaction on vine health and the sustainability of vineyards.
Arnaez, J., Lasanta, T., Ruiz-Flaño, P., Ortigosa, L. 2007. Factors affecting runoff and erosion under simulated rainfall in Mediterranean vineyards. Soil Till. Res. 93:324-334.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2006.05.013
Bengough, A.G., McKenzie, B.M., Hallett, P.D., Valentine, T.A., 2011. Root elongation, water stress, and mechanical impedance: a review of limiting stresses and beneficial root tip traits. J. Exp. Bot. 62:59-68.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erq350
Biddoccu, M., Capello, G., Cavallo, E. 2020. Effects of tractor traffic on soil compaction, water infiltration and soil erosion in tilled and grassed vineyards. EGU General Assembly, Online, EGU2020-10352.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-10352
Biddoccu, M., Ferraris, S., Opsi, F., Cavallo, E. 2016. Long-term monitoring of soil management effects on runoff and soil erosion in sloping vineyards in Alto Monferrato (North-West Italy). Soil Till. Res. 155:176-189.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2015.07.005
Bogunovic, I., Bilandzija, D., Andabaka, Z., Stupic, D., Comino, J.R., Cacic, M., et al. 2017. Soil compaction under different management practices in a Croatian vineyard. Arab. J. Geosci. 10:340
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3105-y
Bogunovic, I., Kisic, I., Maletic, E., Jurisic, A., Roskar, L., Dekemati, I. 2016. Soil compaction in different ages vineyards in Pannonian Croatia. Part II. Modeling spatial variability of soil compaction parameters in vineyard. J. Cent. Eur. Agric. 17:545-562.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/17.2.1741
Bogunovic, I., Kisic, I., Maletic, E., Perčin, A., Matošić, S., Roskar L. 2016. Soil compaction in vineyards of different ages in Pannonian Croatia. Part I. Influence of machinery traffic and soil management on compaction of individual horizons. J. Cent. Eur. Agric. 17:533-544.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/17.2.1739
Bordoni, M., Vercesi, A., Maerker, M., Ganimede, C., Reguzzi, M.C., Capelli, E., et al. 2019. Effects of vineyard soil management on the characteristics of soils and roots in the lower Oltrepò Apennines (Lombardy, Italy). Sci. Total Environ. 693:133390.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.196
Burg, P., Zemánek, P., Turan, J., Findura, P., 2012. The penetration resistance as a soil degradation indicator in the viticulture. Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendel. Brun. 60:29-36.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201260080029
Capello, G., Biddoccu, M., Ferraris, S., Cavallo, E. 2019. Effects of tractor passes on hydrological and soil erosion processes in tilled and grassed vineyards. Water (Basel) 11:2118.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w11102118
Capello, G., Biddoccu, M., Cavallo, E., 2020. Permanent cover for soil and water conservation in mechanized vineyards: A study case in Piedmont, NW Italy. It. J. Agron. 15:323-331.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2020.1763
Carrara, M., Comparetti, A., Febo, P., Orlando, S., 2005. Sistemi per la valutazione del compattamento dei terreni agrari. Proceedings Nat. Conf. AIIA 2005 “L’ingegneria agraria per lo sviluppo sostenibile dell’area mediterranea”, Catania.
Coulouma, G., Boizard, H., Trotoux, G., Lagacherie, P., Richard, G., 2006. Effect of deep tillage for vineyard establishment on soil structure: A case study in Southern France. Soil Till. Res. 88:132-143.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2005.05.002
Davies, S., Bakker, D., Lemon, J. 2018. The science of soil compaction. Available from: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/soil-compaction/science-soil-compaction
Dobrei, A., Alina, D., Nistor, E., Camen, D., Sala, F., 2016. Improvement of soil physical and chemical properties with green manure for healthy vine and wine by-products. Proceedings International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference: SGEM. Sofia. pp. 157-164.
Ferianc, J., Badalíková, B., Burg, P., Burgová J., 2016. The monitoring of soil properties in the interrow of vineyards. Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendel. Brun. 64:417-422.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201664020417
Ferree, D.C., Streeter, J.G., 2004. Response of container-grown grapevines to soil compaction. HortScience 39:950-954.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.39.6.1250
Ferrero, A., Usowicz, B., Lipiec, J., 2005. Effects of tractor traffic on spatial variability of soil strength and water content in grass covered and cultivated sloping vineyard. Soil Till. Res. 84:127-138.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.10.003
Jakšić, S., Ninkov, J., Milić, S., Vasin, J., Banjac, D., Jakšić, D., Živanov, M., 2021. The state of soil organic carbon in vineyards as affected by soil types and fertilization strategies (Tri Morave Region, Serbia). Agronomy (Basel) 11:9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010009
Kvaternjak, I., Kisić, I., Špoljar, A., Kamenjak, D., Jelen, R., 2012. Mechanical resistance of soil in selected vineyards of different ages in Križevci area. Proceedings 47th Croatian and 7th Int. Symp. on Agriculture, Opatija. Available from: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/19117443/47th-croatian-and-7th-international-symposium-on-agriculture-#google_vignette
Lagacherie, P., Coulouma, G., Ariagno, P., Virat, P., Boizard, H., Richard, G., 2006. Spatial variability of soil compaction over a vineyard region in relation with soils and cultivation operations. Geoderma 134:207–216.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2005.10.006
Lamandé, M., Schjønning, P., 2011. Transmission of vertical stress in a real soil profile. Part III: Effect of soil water content. Soil Till. Res. 114:78-85.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2010.10.001
Lanyon, D.M., Cass, A., Hansen, D., 2004. The effect of soil properties on vine performance. CSIRO Land and Water, Technical Report 34/04. Available from: https://publications.csiro.au/publications/publication/PIprocite:f30fdf05-8bbc-40b8-a332-51172ba6d625
Lazcano, C., Decock, C., Wilson, S.G., 2020. Defining and managing for healthy vineyard soils, intersections with the concept of terroir. Front. Environ. Sci. 8:68.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00068
Liebhard, G., Winter, S., Zaller, J. G., Bauer, T., Fantappiè, M., Strauss, P., 2024. Effects of vineyard inter‐row management on soil physical properties and organic carbon in Central European vineyards. Soil Use Manage. 40:e13101.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.13101
Linares, R., de la Fuente, M., Junquera, P., Lissarrague, J.R., Baeza, P., 2014. Effects of soil management in vineyard on soil physical and chemical characteristics. BIO Web of Conferences 3:01008.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20140301008
Martínez‐Casasnovas, J.A., Concepcion Ramos, M., 2009. Soil alteration due to erosion, ploughing and levelling of vineyards in north east Spain. Soil Use Manage. 25:183-192.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2009.00215.x
Morlat, R., Jacquet, A., 2003. Grapevine root system and soil characteristics in a vineyard maintained long-term with or without interrow sward. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 54:1-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5344/ajev.2003.54.1.1
Napoli, M., Dalla Marta, A., Zanchi, C.A., Orlandini, S., 2017. Assessment of soil and nutrient losses by runoff under different soil management practices in an Italian hilly vineyard. Soil Till. Res. 168:71-80.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2016.12.011
Nawaz, M., Bourrié, G., Trolard, F., 2013. Soil compaction impact and modelling. A review. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 33:291-309.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-011-0071-8
Ozpinar ,S., Ozpinar, A., Cay, A. 2018. Soil management effect on soil properties in traditional and mechanized vineyards under a semiarid Mediterranean environment. Soil Till. Res. 178:198-208
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2018.01.004
Pessina, D., Galli, L.E., Santoro, S., Facchinetti, D., 2021. Sustainability of machinery traffic in vineyard. Sustainability (Basel) 13:2475.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052475
Polge de Combret-Champart, L., Guilpart N., Mérot A., Capillon A., Gary C., 2013. Determinants of the degradation of soil structure in vineyards with a view to conversion to organic farming. Soil Use Manage. 29:557-566.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12071
Quezada, C., Soriano, M.A., Díaz, J., Merino, R., Chandía, A., Campos, A., Sandoval, M., 2014. Influence of soil physical properties on grapevine yield and maturity components in an Ultic Palexeralf soils, Central-Southern, Chile. Open J. Soil Sci. 4:127-135.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2014.44016
Rodrigo-Comino, J., 2018. Five decades of soil erosion research in “terroir”. The State-of-the-Art. Earth-Sci. Rev. 179:436-447.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.02.014
Schneider, M.A., Stanier, S.A., White, D.J., Randolph, M.F., 2020. Shallow penetrometer tests: theoretical and experimental modelling of penetration and dissipation stages. Can. Geotech. J. 57:568-579.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2018-0656
Špoljar, A., Kvaternjak, I., Slunjski, D., 2014. Mechanical resistance of soil in vineyards of different ages. Agronomski glasnik 76:267-276.
Unger, P.W., Kaspar, T.C., 1994. Soil compaction and root growth: a review. Agron. J. 86:759-766.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1994.00021962008600050004x
Van Huyssteen, L., 1983. Interpretation and use of penetrometer data to describe soil compaction in vineyards. South Afr. J. Enol. Vitic. 4:2371.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21548/4-2-2371
Visconti, F., López, R., Olego, M.Á., 2024. The health of vineyard soils: towards a sustainable viticulture. Horticulturae 10:154.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10020154
Wang, D.Y., Tang, C.S., Cui, Y.J., Shi, B., Li, J., 2016. Effects of wetting-drying cycles on soil strength profile of a silty clay in micro-penetrometer tests. Eng. Geol. 206:60-70.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.04.005
Wheaton, A.D., McKenzie, B.M., Tisdall, J.M., 2008. Management to increase the depth of soft soil improves soil conditions and grapevine performance in an irrigated vineyard. Soil Till. Res. 98:68-80.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2007.10.007
How to Cite
Pessina, D., Tadini, V. and Galli, L. E. (2025) “Soil compaction in Northern Italian vineyards: challenges and mitigation strategies”, Journal of Agricultural Engineering. doi: 10.4081/jae.2025.1729.
Copyright (c) 2025 the Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
PAGEPress has chosen to apply the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.
Similar Articles
- G. Riva, E. Foppa Pedretti, G. Toscano, D. Duca, A. Pizzi, M. Saltari, C. Mengarelli, M. Gardiman, R. Flamini, Sustainability of grape-ethanol energy chain , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 44 No. s2 (2013): Proceedings of the 10th Conference of the Italian Society of Agricultural Engineering
- A. Restuccia, S. Failla, D. Longo, L. Caruso, I. Mallia, G. Schillaci, Assessment of energy return on energy investment (EROEI) of oil bearing crops for renewable fuel production , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 44 No. s2 (2013): Proceedings of the 10th Conference of the Italian Society of Agricultural Engineering
- Maria Lisa Clodoveo, Tiziana Dipalmo, Cristina Schiano, Domenico La Notte, Sandra Pati, What’s now, what’s new and what’s next in virgin olive oil elaboration systems? A perspective on current knowledge and future trends , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 45 No. 2 (2014)
- Qing Guo, Huihuang Xia, A review of the discrete element method/modelling in agricultural engineering , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 54 No. 4 (2023)
- Giovanna Calia, Vittorio Serra, Antonio Ledda, Andrea De Montis, Green infrastructure planning based on ecosystem services multicriteria evaluation: the case of the metropolitan wine landscapes of Bordeaux , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 54 No. 4 (2023)
- Alvaro Marucci, Danilo Monarca, Massimo Cecchini, Andrea Colantoni, Simone Di Giacinto, Andrea Cappuccini, The heat stress for workers employed in a dairy farm , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 44 No. 4 (2013)
- Francesco Barreca, Giuseppe Cardinali, Carmelo Riccardo Fichera, Luigi Lamberto, Giuseppe Modica, A fuzzy-based model to implement the global safety buildings index assessment for agri-food buildings , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 45 No. 1 (2014)
- Raffaele Cavalli, Stefano Grigolato, Andrea Sgarbossa, Productivity and quality performance of an innovative firewood processor , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 45 No. 1 (2014)
- Ruben R. Sola-Guirado, Bruno Bernardi, Sergio Castro-García, Gregorio L. Blanco-Roldán, Souraya Benalia, Antonio Fazari, Alessio Brescia, Giuseppe Zimbalatti, Assessment of aerial and underground vibration transmission in mechanically trunk shaken olive trees , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 49 No. 3 (2018)
- Ossama M.M. Abdelwahab, Tiziana Bisantino, Fabio Milillo, Francesco Gentile, Runoff and sediment yield modeling in a medium-size mediterranean watershed , Journal of Agricultural Engineering: Vol. 44 No. s2 (2013): Proceedings of the 10th Conference of the Italian Society of Agricultural Engineering
<< < 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 > >>
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
