Wine grapes
Evidence of wine production can be found in archeological excavations dating back to 5,000–6,000 BC, both in Georgia and Iran. Nowadays wine grapes are cultivated on both hemispheres, mostly between 30 to 50 degrees north and south of the equator, from Central Otago in New Zealand to Flen in Sweden.
Wine production integrates a wide range of factors, including grape variety, elevation, topography, direction of slope, soil type, climatic seasonal conditions and local yeast. These factors together form what is known as terroir, loosely translated as ‘a sense of place’.
SOIL
Although grapevines can tolerate most soil, good drainage and adequate depth (70-100 cm) is important. The grape quality is affected by soil type. The optimal soil is medium with a certain percentage of lime, limestone and gravel. Soil that is too light is not suitable because of the risk of nematodes. Heavy soil is not good either. Grapevines can be grown in soil where the active lime is up to 40% and there are rootstocks that can withstand salinity conditions. An ideal pH level for grapes is 6.5, but they grow well between 6.5-7.5 pH.
Most wine-producing vineyards are rain-fed. The response of grapevines to water is well known. Irrigation contributes to higher yields, wider leaf area, stronger vegetative growth and larger berries.
Opinions differ concerning the impact of watering on wine quality, especially on red wines. The common opinion is that striving for higher yields has an adverse effect on wine quality. Another opinion is that there is a yield limit for a high-quality wine. Still other experts claim that higher yields will have no effect whatsoever on wine quality.
According to NaanDanJain professionals, irrigation is the best tool for maintaining wine quality and yield, even under deficit hydric conditions.
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT
Accepting the concept that irrigating grapevines is no longer taboo has opened up the field for experimentation with the irrigation of wine grapes. Efficient new irrigation technologies have been developed and new irrigation management methods that do not have an adverse effect on wine quality are being tested. The combination of these new technologies and management methods has produced
very good results.
CONTROLLED IRRIGATION (CI)
Water is applied according to the accepted seasonal Crop Coefficient (Ck) in the region.
REGULATED DEFICIT IRRIGATION (RDI)
During the phenological stage of veraison (the transition period from berry growth to the final stage of ripening), the plant is stressed by giving it less water than according to the ETo x Ck. The irrigation during this stage is strictly controlled. RDI uses less water; it produces a smaller canopy, which in turn has many
advantages in obtaining a better quality wine.
SUPPLEMENTARY IRRIGATION (SI)
Vines need to be supplied with water only during short and critical phenological stages. Under supplementary irrigation conditions, water will be applied only during well-selected phenological stages—in limited amounts and for limited times. The optimal technology and the right amount of water are the key factors for the best results.
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT FACTS
Although RDI management methods use reduced amounts of the water compared to CI, no adverse affects on production or quality have been reported.
- Irrigation strategy should be adapted to terroir.
- Well-applied, well-managed deficit irrigation can simultaneously conserve water, enhance cold
acclimation, control vigor and improve fruit quality.
- In general, for efficient deficit irrigation methods, the root zone should be carefully monitored with soil
moisture sensors.
According to NaanDanJain professionals, irrigation is the best tool for maintaining wine quality and yield, even under deficit hydric conditions.
IIRRIGATION PRACTICES AND QUANTITY
As a result of the growing market demand for higher quality and quantity, more and more emphasis is being placed on irrigation in order to achieve these goals.
There are a number of irrigation methods for grapevines, including surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. These irrigation techniques differ not onlyin cost, but mainly in water use efficiency. As irrigation water becomes scarcer worldwide, water-efficient drippers and micro-sprinklers are gaining ground in
grapevine irrigation. The amount of available water is only one of the main issues. Water quality (increased salinity) is a major problem that needs to be considered and controlled. The various irrigation techniques mentioned, each address the issue of salinity control in a different way.
NaanDanJain field experts are always available to help you choose the most suitable emitter for your specific irrigation needs. This is not only a matter of price. The choice requires consideration of all short- and long-term factors regarding you and your vineyard.
RWATER MANAGEMENT
The water requirement of wine vineyards depends not only on climate. The targeted quantity of grape yield, variety and wine quality should all be taken into account when calculating the total amount of water to be applied.
Specific water management should be conducted according to the location of the vineyard, the grape variety and the grower’s specific experience.
There are three main stages to relate to:
First stage: from bud break to fruit set Irrigation should facilitate growth.
Second stage: from the end of fruit set to veraison Irrigation should be reduced in order to reduce growth.
Third stage: from veraison to ripening Irrigation should be adjusted to minimize or prevent vegetative growth.
Irrigation Guidelines for Young Vineyards
Irrigation intervals: once every 7 days Water quantity per irrigation:
- First year: 50–70 m3/ha
- Second year: 50–90 m3/ha
- Third year: 60–100 m3/ha
Irrigation Guidelines for Water quantity mm/day (Mediterranean climate)
mature vineyards
Irrigation intervals: every 5–7 days, according to soil type
DRIP SYSTEM PRODUCTS
There is a range of solutions according to the local conditions:
- Integrated PC drippers: 2.1, 3.8 l/h, 16-23 mm For undulating field conditions and modern intensive
cultivation
- Traditional labyrinth integral drippers: 1.6-4.0 l/h, 16, 20, 23 mm diameter
- Button PC drippers: 4.0 l/h For existing mature vineyards with wider spacing
Basic Design
Single Lateral 1-2 Drippers per Vine The driplines can be installed on the surface or hanging on the
Wire. On undulating ground it’s advisable to add special rings to prevent drops from running along the dripper tubes.
SDI
Sub-Surface Drip Irrigation in vineyards is a relatively new approach. It can provides solutions to two main problems :
- Free surface with no obstacles allows for machinery movement and other activity in the modern
vineyard.
- Positioning the water source at the root active area keeps soil surface dry and reduces soil
Compaction.
The Amnon Drip AS is specially-designed for these conditions.
The drip laterals can be close to the row or in the middle, between the rows. When deciding which way to go, consider the row spacing, whether the vines are young or mature, and other local conditions.
FERTIGATION
Fertigation, the practice of applying fertilizers with the irrigation water, is part of the general concept of chemigation. In today’s advanced agriculture, irrigation is synonymous with fertigation.
In grapevines, mineral nutrition is of great value for controlling vegetative growth and yield, as well as for the quality of the end product—the wine. Fertigation is the optimal method for accurate efficient fertilizers supply.
FERTILIZERS AND FERTIGATION BEFORE PLANTING
Deep manuring at 30–80 ton/ha will provide minerals that are not very mobile in the soil (P2O5, K2O, MgO) and will correct high acidity that may induce Al or Cu toxicity. In fields that have only low pH (below 6), liming at 2 -10 ton/ha will bring the alkalinity up to desirable level.
Phosphorus and potassium are key elements in the development of young vines. Sub-optimal amounts of these nutrients in the soil may result in a delay in the start of the production stage. Nitrogen should be applied at this stage in small quantities, as it may be lost by leaching. Soil analysis can assist you in selecting the right fertilizer program. When designing the program, you should also take into account the grape variety and wine quality target. Fertigation is recommended for maximal efficiency and labor saving.
A range of fertilizer injection methods is available through NaanDanJain.
SPECIAL USES OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS: FROST PROTECTION
Worldwide climatic changes, primarily due to global warming, have already affected terroir in various parts of the globe. Modified terroir affects the distinguishing regional qualities of wine. A more drastic consequence of global climatic change, which can destroy entire yields, is early spring frost, which occurs mostly during flowering and fruit setting. Early spring frost is becoming more frequent, and is now affecting regions which were previously frost-free.
There are various frost protection methods, but today the most accepted, efficient and environment-friendly method is timely irrigation. NaanDanJain has a wide variety of emitters especially designed for frost protection.
Flipper is uniquely designed for vineyard frost protection. It spreads water in a long, narrow strip to enable watering the vine rows only, without wetting in between the rows. Flipper is the only emitter that provides frost protection while using 15-20 m3/ha/hr of water, as opposed to the traditional 40 m3/ha/hr.
This means that you can double the protected area using the same quantity of water.
The water distribution pattern and droplet size are the key factors in ensuring highly efficient water use for frost protection.
Double System
Drip and frost control with flipper, using the same water pipe network.
NaanDanJain is committed to finding the ideal solution for your wine grapes crop, tailored to your local climatic conditions, soil, water properties, and budget. Contact our office or your local dealer for further
