Water Management

Question 1

When might irrigation be used?

Answer 1

• area likely to receive very little water through the growing season
• areas with very free-draining soils

Question 2

Why is it best to establish an irrigation system in a new vineyard, as opposed to an established vineyard?

Answer 2

to avoid disruption to the established vineyard by laying pipes

Question 3

What restrictions are there on irrigation use?

Answer 3

Some EU GIs do not permit irrigation or only allow it for emergency situations (e.g. drought or protection of young vineyards)

Question 4

What are 6 steps that can be taken in the vineyard to increase the efficiency of water use?

Answer 4

1. use water-efficient irrigation systems and techniques combined with better monitoring of water take-up by the vines (e.g. dripper systems and regulated deficit irrigation)
2. use drought-tolerant varieties (e.g. Grenache) and rootstocks (e.g. 140R)
3. reducing evaporation (e.g. by applying a mulch)
4. reducing competition (e.g. removing weeds)
5. increasing humus levels in the soils to improve water retention (e.g. by adding organic matter such as compost)
6. promoting the growth of vine roots deep into the soil (e.g. through cultivation

Question 5

Why is the quality of the water used for irrigation important?

Answer 5

• dissolved solids can block sprinklers
• high levels of salt can make it difficult for vines to take up water

Question 6

Describe drip irrigation

Answer 6

• thin pipes are laid along each row
• droppers are fitted at appropriate intervals, far enough away from vines to encourage roots to seek water and grow

Question 7

What are 4 advantages of drip irrigation?

Answer 7

1. economic use of water
2. control allows for careful management of water application to specific zones of the vineyard
3. can also be used for fertigation
4. can be used on slopes

Question 8

Define fertigation.

Answer 8

When liquid fertilizer is added to the water supply and distributed through drip irrigation

Question 9

What are 3 disadvantages of drip irrigation?

Answer 9

1. installation costs are relatively high, but maintenance costs are moderate
2. clean water is required, otherwise the drippers quickly become blocked
3. maintenance work is usually required to avoid blockages

Question 10

Define flood irrigation.

Answer 10

water is stored behind a sluice and released at scheduled times

Question 11

What is the advantage of flood irrigation?

Answer 11

cheap to install and maintain

Question 12

What are disadvantages of flood irrigation?

Answer 12

• inefficient use of water
• can only be used on flat or gently sloping land
• can lead to soil erosion
• can only be used where there is a sufficient source of water nearby
• where irrigation is required, there is often not enough water

Question 13

Define channel irrigation

Answer 13

water is directed to flow down furrows dug into the vine rows

Question 14

What are advantages of channel irrigation?

Answer 14

More efficient use of water than flood irrigation

Question 15

What are disadvantages of channel irrigation?

Answer 15

Not suitable where water supply is limited

Question 16

What are 4 methods of irrigation?

Answer 16

1. drip irrigation
2. flood irrigation
3. channel irrigation
4. sprinkler irrigation

Question 17

Define overhead sprinkler irrigation

Answer 17

water is pumped into sprinklers that are positioned on posts above the vineyard canopy, and water is showered overhead

Question 18

What are advantages of sprinkler irrigation?

Answer 18

Can double as a method of frost protection

Question 19

What are disadvantages of sprinkler irrigation?

Answer 19

Expensive to install and maintain, due to water pressure required.

Uses more water than drip irrigation

Question 20

Define regulated deficit irrigation (RDI)

Answer 20

a system of timed and regulated irrigation application to apply mild to moderate stress to the vine at a specified time within the growing season

Question 21

When is RDI typically applied?

Answer 21

between fruit set and veraison to limit shoot growth and favor grape development

Question 22

What are 3 benefits of RDI?

Answer 22

1. vine growth and grape development are controlled
2. less water is required
3. improvement to grape quality

Question 23

Define dry farming.

Answer 23

• not using irrigation in areas with limited rainfall in the growing season
• leads to lower yields, with potentially an improvement in grape quality

Question 24

What are 3 ways to regulate water in regions with high rainfall in the growing season?

Answer 24

• artificial drainage systems in the vineyard
• leaving natural vegetation or planting cover crops to compete with vines for water
• improving the soil structure to better regulate water drainage