Weed control in French vineyards

Abstract

The traditional appearance of the French vineyard is slowly changing. With labour scarce and costly the vigneron, essentially conservative, is obliged to look at ways of reducing the multitude of cultivations hitherto inseparable from vineyard management. Herbicides used with care can cut costs and lead to improvements not solely due to weed control, such as avoidance of mechanical damage by cultivators, reduced risk of frost damage and the prevention of soil erosion.