SOIL PREPARATION

CHAPTER 5

Mechanised methods of planting grapevines in a vineyard are new in South Africa, but will undoubtedly increase in future. A grapevine planter currently used (Figure 5.20) is equipped with a geographical positioning system (GPS) that has an accuracy of ± 2 cm. This machine can plant up to 1 000 vines per hour at a pre-programmed planting distance. Planting can be done in dry soil that helps to prevent wheel compaction as well as smearing of the soil in the plant furrow. The roots of the grapevines have to be pruned back before planting. The planting process entails that the roots are firmly pressed down, watered with a specific quantity of water if necessary, and finally the vine is covered with soil up to the graft union. We observed that young vines planted by this specific planter grew exceptionally uniformly compared to a portion of the vineyard planted by hand. Whether grapevines are planted manually or whether a machine is used, any method of planting should allow roots of the newly planted grapevine to easily and rapidly grow out of the plant hole or furrow into the surrounding soil. Once the grower understands the impediments that can be introduced at planting, it becomes fairly easy to assess the effectiveness of any new planters or practices.

FIGURE 5.20: Grapevine planter used for the establishment of new vineyards in South Africa. The planter is pulled by a tractor and does precision planting of grapevines at a fast rate (Photo: J.E. Hoffman, Stellenbosch University).

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