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Since 2012, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has continued to add farm-directed programs that encourage agriculture producers to adopt production practices leading to improved soil health across their crop acres. The NRCS began offering programs of this type shortly after it was founded as the Soil Conservation Service in 1935. Its focus then was on controlling erosion from the Dust Bowl era.
Over time, its programs evolved to also incorporate the chemical and biological aspects of soil health. Today, tools, technologies, and products are more important than ever to protect soil health, which can contribute significantly to increased environmental stewardship, economic sustainability, and long-term on-farm productivity.
While there are just 12 major soil orders, or categories, the orders are further broken down into suborders, great groups, subgroups, families, and series – ultimately encompassing more than 19,000 soils in the United States alone.
The soils found across the Golden State are rich with a mix of agronomic properties, each contributing to the state’s highly awarded wine industry. From loams, and sandy and gravelly soils, to those found in mountainous regions, vineyard managers continue to recognize and understand the value of soils and the importance of increasing and protecting soil health.
The Problem Lying Below
Vineyard managers work collaboratively with their labor staff to identify signs of vine stress across vineyards. From areas of uneven growth, wilting leaves or dry tendrils to reduced growth and fruit size, visual identification of stress helps lead to diagnosis and strategies to alleviate it.
Above-ground pests and fungal diseases can cause stress, limiting winegrape yield and quality. Yield and quality may also be put at risk by below-ground microscopic worms known as plant-parasitic nematodes. Knowing their identity and abundance is a critical part of controlling the potential damage they can cause.
Research related to a nematode’s life cycle, population incidence, abundance and distribution confirms that soil samples taken after a cropping cycle may lead to more accurate nematode counts. It is at that point when their population has most likely reproduced to its highest level.
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“When it comes to evaluating the presence and population levels in vineyards, I recommend pulling soil samples during the spring and fall root flush from various locations across the vineyard – especially when soil types differ,” says Jesse Richardson, integrated field scientist, Corteva Agriscience. “Developing roots give off exudates that attract nematodes. These growing roots provide nematodes with an open buffet of nutrients.”
Root-knot, lesion, ring and dagger are the most common plant-parasitic nematodes requiring control within California vineyard soils.
Nematode Control, Preserving Soil Health
Once attached to roots, feeding by root-knot nematodes leads to an increased cell growth response from the plant, eventually causing visible galling on the root system.
Because fumigants are typically limited to a preplant timetable, products that can be applied in season offer an important and needed nematode control option.
“As agriculture in general continues to promote the importance and benefits of soil health, there’s never been a better opportunity to control nematodes with a product that has no negative effects on beneficial soil organisms than Salibro CA nematicide1,” Richardson says. “It can provide a new mode of action for effective resistance management with a more favorable environmental profile than other products on the market today. It offers exceptional compatibility with soil health, including beneficial nematodes, soil fungi and soil bacteria.”
Salibro® CA nematicide with Reklemel® active is the first sulfonamide nematicide.
“It allows for a wide range of application timings and methods, including chemigation,” Richardson says. “Salibro CA nematicide also requires minimal personal protective equipment for applicators and can help get your nonbearing vines off to a good, healthy start, providing them a strong foundation from the beginning.”
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Contact your local Corteva Agriscience representative or retailer for additional information. Salibro CA nematicide is available for sale for the 2025 season.
1Waisen, P., 2021. Effects of Reduced-Risk Selective Nematicides on Target and Non-Target Nematodes in Low Desert Vegetable Production Systems – Final Report
™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Salibro® CA is only registered for sale or use in California. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Reklemel® is a registered active ingredient. Always read and follow label directions. ©2025 Corteva. 030965 BR (08/25) CAAG5SBRO059