Irrigation Decisions and Water Conservation

Mark Holler

Camalie Vineyards/Networks

3/9/10

Simple Approach to Water Conservation

If the soil is wet enough in the root zone don’t irrigate.

Where are the roots taking up water?

How wet is the soil there?

How wet is wet enough?

Optimal Irrigation Goals*

• Best possible grape quality

• Negligible or positive impact on yield

• Minimal water use, pumping energy

Grape Quality Improves whenVines are water stressed.

Premium Quality production andWater Conservation are compatible.

*Napa County

Irrigation Decision Process

Grower, Vineyard Manager

or Irrigation Consultant

Vine Stress(Leaf Water Potential)

Soil Moisture Tension

Water Supply Budget

Weather Forecast

Quality/Yield GoalsAge of Vines, Vigor

Weather History ETc

Root DepthSoil Type/Profile(Water transport/holding characteristics)

Shoot tip visuals

Durations,Intervals

Cultivar/RootStock

Soil moisture Tension profile,

Vapor Pressure Deficit

Gallons/vine

Vine StressTarget

Application Logistics

Controlled Stress Irrigation (CSI)

Vine Model

Estimating Vine Stress Using Easily Monitored External Parameters

M.Holler ASEV Poster 2007

Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 58:2 (2007)

Monitoring

• Many systems are available

• All can measure soil moisture and weather.

• Web access to real time data

• Alerts to cell phone

• Costs dropping <$1K/station now with sensors

Case Study2009 Edgar Lantz -- Sam Brannan Vineyards 60% water saving

Soil Moisture Data Whole Season

Block to Block Variation

6 week difference in start times

3x difference in Irr. Frequency

Target 24-36” SMT= 150cBar

Conclusion

• Know where and how much water is in your soil

• You will use less water

• Soil Moisture Monitoring is key– Its getting to be inexpensive and

convenient

Back up Foils

Frost Event – 7 degree spread spread across the vineyard– Hillside warmest

Multi-Vineyard Coverage

Camalie Vineyards and Konrad Vineyards 23 node network1-3 nodes/irrigation block.