Comparative Analysis of the Performance of a Chain Mower and Tools That Perform Under-Row Weed Control with Tillage in the Vineyard

In the Mediterranean area, vineyard soils are often characterized by a high stone content. In these contexts, where tools commonly adopted for under-row weed control are frequently damaged, the utilization of a chain mower could be a preferable alternative. This research aims to compare a modified mower with chains with other tools commonly employed that control weeds through tillage, such as motorized discs, blade weeder, and rotary star hoe. Weed control effectiveness, effects on weed flora composition, soil compaction, and operative efficiencies were evaluated. The chain mower allowed us to obtain encouraging results of weed biomass reduction (55.4 and 25.4%, between and around vine trunks, respectively), weed height reduction (35.9%), and weed cover reduction (79.2%), comparable to the other tools. All the tools showed a lower weed control efficacy around vine trunks rather than between them (weed biomass reductions of 24.8% and 52.6%, respectively). Results regarding the effect on weed flora composition seem to confirm this trend. Despite the higher chain mower field time (3.78 h ha⁻¹) and fuel consumption (24.24 kg ha⁻¹) compared to the blade weeder and the rotary star hoe, its versatility in stony soil and its lower impact on soil (soil penetration resistances of 1602.42 and 2262.83 kPa in 2022 and 2023, respectively) compared to the other tools make it a potentially advantageous implement for under-row weed management in vineyards. Further studies could be useful to improve chain mower performance, particularly around vine trunks, by evaluating in different planting layouts different dimensions of both the cutting element and feeler, which allows the vine-skipping mechanism.