Abstract

In Copiapo Valley, the 3th Region of Chile, a three-year study (2007-2009) was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic amendments and cover crops on soil physical properties (Typic Haplocambid) in a table grape (Vitis vinifera) orchard. Four treatments were established during three seasons: control without organic amendments (T1), broad bean-corn-rape rotation (T2), goat manure addition (15 t ha(-1)) (T3) and corn-broad bean-barley rotation (T4). Soils measurements, bulk density, pore size distribution, aggregate stability, water repellence and air conductivity were conducted on soil samples collected at three soil depths (0-10, 10-30 and 30-50 cm). Saturated hydraulic conductivity and mechanical strength were also evaluated. On grape plant measurements, root development, pruning weight and harvested grape production were evaluated. Soil bulk density was reduced with goat manure addition in comparison with any other treatment, which resulted in lower mechanical strength in the top soils. None of the treatments had negative effects on water repellency. The crop treatments enhanced the coarse porosity throughout the soil profile, improving the continuity of porous system with their root development and inducing high air conductivity. Other hand, the control soil and manure application showed a pore discontinuity in a pre-existing plow pan. Aggregate stability and saturated hydraulic conductivity were greater in goat manure application, but the treatments which included crop rotation did not show significant differences compared with the control. Because of the short duration of the study, it is assumed that the soil improvements were not detected as expected in grape production yet.