The effects of viticulture on the soil quality status in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

There were identified the causes that led to the worsening situation and land deterioration in the vineyards: the irrational parceling of vineyard plantations by privatizing former household; the considerable decrease of soil fertility in vineyards due to the lack of funds to combat erosion and losses of nutrients; the abandonment of over 50 000 hectares of vineyards due to low yields (2.0 to 2.5 t ha-1 of grapes); the lack of funds for clearing the old vineyards; the excessive spread the species of weeds, crop diseases and pests harmful to the vines due to the lack of pesticides; relocation of the new plantations from slops typical for viticulture (occupied with the old vineyards) on the inadequate land (dales, vales, meadows, etc.); the soil pollution of vineyards with residues of pesticides and plant protection products; the soil salinity hazard in the saplings planted vineyards. In this context, a soil protection system of vineyards was developed and proposed, based on the organizational, agro-, phyto- and hydro-technical measures.