298: How Cover Crops Shape Grapevine Root Systems

2026-02-05

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Root systems are more than just anchors, they are the plant's stomach, communicating with their environment through a network of microbes. Suzanne Fleishman, Assistant Professor of Root Biology at Penn State University, introduces the emerging field of Root Agroecology, which integrates plant physiology and omic methods to improve sustainability in vineyards. She shares insights from a five-year red fescue cover crop trial showing reduced pruning weights and improved vine balance, as well as shifts in rhizosphere microbiomes. Her future goal? A grower tool that predicts the best cover crops by site. Resources:

Root systems are more than just anchors, they are the plant's stomach, communicating with their environment through a network of microbes.

Suzanne Fleishman, Assistant Professor of Root Biology at Penn State University, introduces the emerging field of Root Agroecology, which integrates plant physiology and omic methods to improve sustainability in vineyards. She shares insights from a five-year red fescue cover crop trial showing reduced pruning weights and improved vine balance, as well as shifts in rhizosphere microbiomes.

Her future goal? A grower tool that predicts the best cover crops by site.

Resources:

72: Soil Microbes and Nutrient Availability

151: The Role of the Soil Microbiome in Soil Health

159: Under-Vine Vegetation to Control Vine Vigor

Can Cover Crops Improve Wine Grape Production Resilience?

Research revealing grapevine root relationships

Root Agroecology Lab

Suzanne Fleishman

Suzanne Fleisman – Google Scholar

Suzanne Fleishman – Research Gate

Undervine groundcover substantially increases shallow but not deep soil carbon in a temperate vineyard