:: WINE GRAPES  
   
  Vineyard Irrigation Strategy  
     
  Restricted Deficit Irrigation for Vineyards  
 

Controlling irrigation application often involves supplying less water than required for optimal vine development. Known as Restricted Deficit Irrigation (RDI), this practice is designed to keep the vine under controlled stress conditions, to increase wine grape quality. RDI gives grape growers control over:

  • Berry size
  • Vegetation and light regime
  • Availability of assimilates, photosynthesis
  • Turgor, solids concentration
  
 

Effective application of an RDI strategy is contingent upon stringent and accurate irrigation control, possible only through use of advanced irrigation techniques like drip irrigation.

When creating RDI strategy, grape growers need to take into account numerous factors, including the vine canopy, soil resources, and climatic conditions of both the previous winter and current season. Specifically, environmental conditions such as rainfall (quantity and timing), water retention, and evapo-transpiration should be analyzed.

Before rolling out an RDI strategy, the following questions need to be specifically addressed:

    
 
   
 
  1. When to start? Irrigation usually commences a certain period after the end of the rainy season, and a number of factors will determine when it is optimal to begin irrigating.
  2. How to start? How to best irrigate while the canopy is being built and fruit sets?
  3. Irrigation frequency? How to most effectively irrigate from the veraison to the end of sugar buildup? How should irrigation be modified after maturity?
  4. Irrigation after harvest? How to continue irrigation most effectively after harvest, if rains haven't begun?
  
 
 
 
Source: Dr. Amos Naor
  
   
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