Monitoring of CO2 fluxes in vineyards to support soil organic matter management

Vineyard soils are subjected to a substantial depletion of the organic fraction due to intensive farming systems, the reduction of row spacing and the fast evolution of vineyard mechanization. The use of cover crops, grassed alleys and organic fertilization can all contribute to the increase, stabilization and protection of soil organic matter. However, a clear picture of carbon fluxes in the soil-plant-atmosphere system of vineyards is still lacking. A detailed knowledge of these processes is also of primary importance to correctly predict the impact of future climate scenarios on viticulture and understand whether these ecosystems can act as source or sink of greenhouse gases. Within the framework of the LIFE project VITISOM (VITiculture Innovative Soil Organic Matter management: variable-rate distribution system and monitoring of impacts, LIFE15 ENV/IT/000392), two integrated observatories of ecosystem CO2 fluxes have been established in Northern Italy, to disentangle the vineyard carbon budget in the mid-term. The integration of Variable Rate distribution Technology for organic fertilization will additionally allow a more efficient organic fertilization of vineyards at local, regional, national and EU level. This knowledge can be of great value to better manage organic fertilization and soil fertility in vineyards, improving their sustainability.