Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the accumulated effect of crop rotations with or without manure amendment on the physical properties of the soil and its relationship with the growth of grape (Vitis vinifera). The investigation was carried out in Vallenar, Atacama Region in Chile, between years 2006 and 2010. In a Xerollic Haplargid belongs to Cavancha soil series, plots of 8 plants of grapevine distributed in two rows were established, defining 4 treatments: T1, control, bare soil; T2, crop rotation (rapeseed-broad bean-mustard-oats); T3 manure (12.5 Mg ha-1 year-1); T4, crop rotation (rapeseed-broad bean-barley-mustard) established with manure amendment (same dose of T3), with manure application on the grape row and crop rotations in the entire plots. The soil physical properties were evaluated at three depths (0-10; 10-30; 30-50 cm), while in the vine the pruning weight, the grape yield and the root growth were measured. The applications of manure (T3 and T4) promoted an increase of the soil organic matter, which resulted in an improvement of physical properties; nevertheless, the treatment that combine the use of manure and cover crops (T4) achieves the best results because of a synergic effect. T3 and T4 showed a decrease in bulk density and penetration resistance, with higher aggregate stability and water and air fluxes; in addition, T4 favored a significant higher yield in one season and a sustained biomass growth over time.