Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Water in the Vineyard
Water is used up in the vineyard through two different processes collectively known as
evapotranspiration:
→ Evaporation of water from the soil surface due to temperature and humidity levels.
→ Evaporation of water especially from the underside of the leaves in the process
called transpiration.
Both of these are regulated by your local climate and weather. Obviously, in hot areas
there is more water loss from both evaporation and transpiration than in cooler climates.
Also keep in mind that different soil types have different water needs, because different
soil types hold water at different rates. Clay soils hold water for longer periods of time than
loam, and sandy soil holds water for shorter periods of time than loam.
The ideal irrigation system consists of underground PVC pipes that lead to drip irriga-
tion tubes on the trellis system. (Overhead watering is never recommended for a vineyard,
as it can promote fungal diseases.) It should have a timer that allows you to set a water
schedule that fits with your climate and soil conditions. The best time to install the irrig-
ation system is when you are building the trellis before you plant, because young, newly
grafted vines need sufficient water to develop healthy, vigorous root systems in the first
year.
Managing vineyard irrigation can seem kind of tricky, but it's really not that bad. The
general ideas are pretty simple: give the vines a good amount of water in the early years,
and then not much later on. The goal is to maintain the moisture content of the root zone at
a level throughout the sensitive stages of growth. Too little water for the vines early in the
season can result in decreased vegetative growth. Too little water post-veraison can result
in exposed fruit, shriveling, and lower yields. On the other hand, too much water damages
roots by depriving them of oxygen, encourages excessive vegetative growth, and can in-
crease the incidence of bunch rot and other fungus diseases.
