Assessing the sustainability of an innovative agroecological weed management practice: a cost-benefit analysis in a vineyard in Tuscany

Agroecology has gained attention for its potential to provide benefits to the environment and society. One of its main objectives is to phase out inputs in favour of ecological processes. This is particularly relevant in weed control, a key practice in agronomic management. An agroecological approach to weeds is analysed in this article. It is a practice, tested from 2019 to 2023 in an organic vineyard in Tuscany, consisting of using a subterranean clover as under-row cover crop. In order to give an assessment of the practice analysed, it was decided to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Data was collected through a structured survey covering economic, social and environmental aspects. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the gap in the literature that calls for more information on the costs and benefits associated with the implementation of agroecological practices. Moreover it aims to provide information to farmers and policy makers.