August 15, 2024 – R&D Committee Meeting – Dr. Mehdi Sharifi, AAFC

Towards Developing a Cover Crop Decision-Making Tool for Okanagan Valley Vineyards

In this presentation, we will present the findings from six years of cover crop studies aimed at selecting the most suitable cover crops for irrigated vineyards, with a particular focus on the Okanagan Valley. These efforts, combined with newly approved cover crop study data under the Grape and Vine Cluster project (part of the SCAP Program of AAFC), will be compiled to develop a comprehensive web-based cover crop decision-making tool specifically designed for irrigated vineyards. Our goal is to create a user-friendly, web-based tool that will aid vineyard managers in making informed decisions about cover crop selection based on their goals, local conditions and management practices. The presentation will begin with a review of existing web-based tools, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Following this, we will outline the steps involved in developing a customized decision-making tool tailored to the unique conditions of vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. Through this presentation, we aim to demonstrate how this innovative tool can potentially enhance groundcover vegetation management and contribute to the sustainability and resilience of Okanagan vineyards.