Viticulture Studies 2025, Vol 5, Num, 2     (Pages: 67-79)

Sustainable Soil Management Practices in Viticulture

Aylin Erkoçak 1 ,Bekir Açıkbaş 1 ,Damla Zobar 1

1 Bağcılık Araştırma Enstitüsü Müdürlüğü, Tekirdağ, Türkiye DOI : 10.52001/vis.2025.30.67.79 Viewed : 43 - Downloaded : 41 In agricultural production, while increasing productivity is aimed at meeting the needs of the growing global population under current conditions, it is essential to consider ecological balance and biodiversity. In viticulture, soil characteristics, cultural practices, and sustainable methods directly affect grape and wine quality. Traditional soil tillage methods lead to organic matter loss and erosion, whereas sustainable practices help maintain soil fertility and health. In this context, the application of cover crops not only increases the organic matter content of the soil but also provides significant benefits in viticulture by reducing erosion and improving water retention capacity. Thus, they are of great importance in terms of improving the physical structure of the soil and ensuring the continuity of the nutrient cycle by enriching the soil in terms of nutrients. While mulching increases the productivity of vineyards by preserving soil moisture and providing temperature regulation, organic and inorganic mulches contribute to sustainable agriculture by preventing water loss from the soil. Particularly, the use of cover crops and mulching can positively impact both yield and quality in viticulture. In addition, reduced soil tillage practices positively affect the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil by increasing organic matter and nutrient accumulation. In this regard, sustainable soil management is a critical strategy for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and enhancing grape quality. Keywords : Ecological viticulture , Soil health , Grape yield , Vitis vinifera L.