Impact of different mulching practices on grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) growth and soil properties

Taking sustainable viticulture measures is critical to successfully cope with the impact of ameliorating population and global climate change. Low rainfall and increasing temperature insist grapevine plants demand more water use. The ongoing drilling of underground consequences in the deep-water table. In this scenario, there are requirements for logical techniques to preserve soil water management and save water opportunities from depletion. Therefore, mulching practices become highly impactful techniques in the different areas for grapevine growth which include organic mulch for instance dry leaves, manure, compost, straw, sawdust, living grass, fabric, hairy vetch, and ryegrass, while inorganic much include gravels, crushed stones, carpets, scree, pebble, and plastics. High requirements of yield performance and competition in the market pushed horticulturalists to produce more grapevine plant quality. Because of global climate change rain design has been altered and water shortage. Additionally, mulching practices in grapevine crops can be applied as a soil preservation technique, regulate soil microbial biodiversity, soil characteristics, soil temperature (which changes in cold and summer seasons and leads to damage to grape cells), pest management, disease resistance, weed control, soil organic matter improve and performance of soil ecological functions. Furthermore, mulch acts as a biocontrol agent against grapevine fungal and bacterial pathogens. Despite, its promising application, challenges such as variability in mulch practices and their interactions with soil microbial carbon and crop systems need further study. This review consolidates the recent advancements in mulch research highlighting its practices, applications mechanism of action, disease resistance, and limitations while proposing future directions to optimize mulch for grapevine management. The insights presented aim to support the development of sustainable viticultural practices that enhance soil improvement, disease management, crop yield, development, and environmental resilience.