Description of red soils in a semiarid climate and evaluation for vineyard (Vitis vinifera, L.) use

Three profiles along the slope of a quartzite hill have been studied and characterized. Pedological (e.g. horizons, depth, shape of boundary, stoniness and structure), physical(color, texture and nature of clays) and chemical (pH, conductivity, nutrient content and balance) parameters have been stud...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Amorós Ortiz-Villajos, José Ángel, Pérez de los Reyes, Caridad, García Navarro, Francisco Jesús, Sánchez Jiménez, Carlos Jesús
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2010
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
Repositorio:RUIdeRA. Repositorio Institucional de la UCLM
OAI Identifier:oai:ruidera.uclm.es:10578/41843
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10578/41843
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:ecological strategies
Luvisol
soil management
vineyard
Descripción
Sumario:Three profiles along the slope of a quartzite hill have been studied and characterized. Pedological (e.g. horizons, depth, shape of boundary, stoniness and structure), physical(color, texture and nature of clays) and chemical (pH, conductivity, nutrient content and balance) parameters have been studied. For centuries, vineyards have been widelycultivated in regions with a semiarid climate, such as La Mancha (Central Spain). However, very few studies into viticole soils have been carried out to determine their suitabilityfor the production of quality wine. The results show that the soils investigated here are different from the Calcisols, which are traditionally associated with vineyards in La Mancha. The studied soils are mildly acidic (pH 6.3-7.3 in exceptional cases), have a high clay content (21-52%) and have a low basis saturation (29.1%, but increasing withdepth to saturation in the lower profile). The different properties enable these soils to be classified as Luvisols (FAOISSS) with rhodic or chromic character due to the presenceof iron oxides (2.8% in argilic horizons). Alternative soil management practices are suggested to improve organic matter and biological activity, and to minimize erosion,which could be the biggest problem for the use of these soils for woody cultures.