Grant: Engage Grants Program

Nova Scotia grape producers need to maintain strong productivity and grape quality in an economical and sustainable manner in order to satisfy the competitive wine market. Grape growth requires a fertile soil, and nutrient deficiencies lead to reduced growth, yellowing of vine leaves, and insufficient ripening. Sean Sears, general manager of Petite Riviere Vineyards, is actively seeking a sustainable solution for low grape productivity at his vineyards. Exploring soil amendments that provide grape producers with low cost, sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilizers is imperative. Amendments derived from local wastes, such as source separated municipal solid food waste (MSFW) compost are ideal. Cover crops are also used to manage soil nutrients, and can suppress weed growth, reduce nutrient leaching, retain soil moisture, reduce erosion, and add organic matter to the soil. The objective of this study is to investigate sustainable solutions for existing problems of erosion, low soil organic matter level, low soil water holding capacity and low soil fertility in Petite Riviere Vineyards. We are going to examine the fertility value of four different cover crops in combination with MSFW compost for use in grape production with specific attention to Petite Riviere Vineyards conditions. The results of this study are intended to improve Petite Riviere Vineyards' productivity. To satisfy the objective of this study, MSFW compost samples will be collected and will be analyzed for pH, N, P, K, and micronutrients. Nutrient status of pre-amendment vineyard soil will also be analyzed. A greenhouse study with five cover crops (control, permanent forage mix, winter rye, winter rye mixture with hairy vetch or red clover) with or without MSFW compost will be conducted to evaluate the contribution of each cover crop and/or compost to soil organic mater and nutrient bioavailability for wine grapes.