Agriculture SolutionSrecommendAtionS in irrigAtion SyStemS to the culture of grApevine.

www.azud.com00000384

Agriculture Solutions - Recommendations in irrigation systems to the culture of grapevine2

Edapho-climatic requirements

Sowing and plantation spacing

Grapevine adapts itself to a wide diversity of fields. There is a wide range of rootstock, so the grapevine can be cultivated in areas of strong demand. The availability of organic material in the field is considered a very important factor. The soils with variation of less than 1.5% are considered to be poor in organic material to the grapevine cultivation, and percentages higher than 2.5% are considered to be rich in this sense.

The specie belongs to temperate zones where the annual average temperature is higher than 9 ºC. It adapts itself to a wide range of temperatures, from the -20 ºC to the 35 ºC. More extreme values can seriously damage the plant. The optimum temperature to a good development of the cultivation is between the 25 and 30 ºC.

The hours of exposure to the sun are essential to obtain the accumulation of sugars in the fruit. The cold accumulation hours, among 150 and 600, are necessary to a good development of the grapevine. A deficiency in cold hours give raise to poor, late and bad quality harvests.

Thanks to the broad variety of patrons in the market, grapevine cultivation is possible in a wide range of type of soils, where pH and textures concerns.

Sowing density is influenced by factors as the land topography, its potential, the irrigation, the conduction system, the fertirrigation and the pruning. The most commonly used disposition in the main production countries is in line. The recommended plantation spacing is from 2.5-3 m between lines and from 0.5 to 1.5 m between plants, which means densities among 4.000 and 2.200 plants per hectare. The recommended plantation spacing in table grape is 4 x 4 m, being the density of 625 plants per hectare.

It is recommended an arrangement of the lines taking advantage of the dominant winds of the area, being the most suitable the North-South one. The sowing of plain rooted grapevines must be done in winter, and the container-grown ones can be done during the whole year.

Grapevine is a deciduous bush belonging to Vitaceas family. Its scientific name is Vitis vinífera. Its economic importance is due to its fruit, the grape, used so much for direct consumption as fermented to produce wine.

Grapevine cultivation is expanded nowadays in the warm climate areas all around the world, especially in Western Europe, The Balkans, California, Australia, South Africa, Chile and Argentina; countries where the four seasons are well defined.

Thanks to AZUD wide experience, we provide the farmer the most interesting agronomic solution, which guarantees a higher productivity for the cultivation of grapevine, taking into account the necessities and resources available on each situation.

3Agriculture Solutions - Recommendations in irrigation systems to the culture of grapevine

Crop coefficient The crop coefficient KC, states the relation between the real Evapotranspitation (ETC) of each specific crop and the reference evapotranspiration ETC in the same conditions and the same micro-climate. It is a number normally between 0.1 and 1.2 A which multiplied by ETO value gives as a result.The evapotranspiration for each crop (ETC).

ETC = ET0 x KC

The crop coefficient (KC) are used to calculate the evapotranspiration rates of each crop. The farmers can use the resulting value ETC to decide the frequency and water to apply on each irrigation.

Crop coefficient vary depending on the crop, the development and some cultural practices.

Phenological stages of grapevines

Phenological states corresponding to grapevine in mid latitudes. Source: FAO(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

STagES of Crop

Initial

Development

Media

Maturation

Duration(days)

20

90

60

90

KC table grape

0.65

0.67 - 0.70

0.70

0.70

KC wine

0.3

0.3 - 0.7

0.7

0.7 - 0.45

Initial Development Average Maturity

Picture: Evapotranspiration of the reference crop (ET0) under standard conditions (ETC). Source: FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

Picture: typical KC values for the four growing stages. Source: FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

Agriculture Solutions - Recommendations in irrigation systems to the culture of grapevine4

FertilizationFertilization has as a goal to compensate and supply the mineral elements and nutrients of the soil that grapevine consumes along its development, so that at no time it may have a deficit of the same. In grapevine cultivation it is very interesting the application of organic material, which can be done in two ways:

• In form of liquid MO. It should be applied together with the phosphorous. It increases the soil benefits and helps to absorb the phosphorous and other micro elements (Fe, Zn, Bo,…).

•Manure each 3-4 years around 10 tn/ha

Minimum Temperature

Maximum Temperature

Opening temperature

Temperature from flowering to change of colour

Temperature from change of colour to maturing

Flowering temperature

Harvest temperature

-20 ºC

35 ºC

9 – 10 ºC

22 – 26 ºC

20 – 24 ºC

18 – 22 ºC

Climatic requirementspH

Optimum temperature

Salinity

Humidity

5.6 – 7.7

25 – 30 ºC

< 4 dS/m

65 – 80%

Edaphic requirements

IrrigationThe quantity of supplied water depends on the water retention capacity of soil, the efficiency of the irrigation system and the depth of the roots.

Grapevine is very resistant to the long periods of drought, due to its deep root system. Nevertheless, in conditions of strong drought irrigation is essential to avoid a lack of production and quality.

Despite of being a traditional dry farming, the application of irrigation in grapevine is translated in a higher growing of the plants and increase of the production. Likewise, the plant remains ready to guarantee the production of the next year, and avoid any type of stress provoking production losses. Irrigation has always beneficial effects if used correctly. It is necessary to know how much and when to irrigate. Among the beneficial effects the following can be underlined:

•Importantincreaseofanticipatedstemsandincreaseofbunchesofgrapes.•Increaseinthenumberofleavesasavoidingtheprematurefallingofthesame.•Bringsforwardtheformationofthestrainandthustheenteringintoproduction.•Favoursthefloweringinitiation.•Increaseoftheharvestbyahigherweightandnumberofgrapes.•Improvesthequalityofthefruitwithasuitableirrigation.

The benefits obtained in the crops supplied by a well-designed drip irrigation system are much higher (even the double) than dry cultivations in very dry environments. With the suitable temperature and humidity it is possible to reach and increase of the performance around the 20%. An average performance can be estimated in the range of 9-12 tons per hectare.

Crop characteristics

5Agriculture Solutions - Recommendations in irrigation systems to the culture of grapevine

* Requirements without having into account the rain water. ** Calculations made according to climate conditions in Ciudad Real, CASTILLA – LA MANCHA (Spain). Source: FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

KC

KC

ET0 (mm/day)Table grape

Wine ET0 (mm/day)

ETC* (mm/day)

ETC* (mm/day)

Initial Development

Crop stageCharacteristic values

Average Maturity

0.3 0.3 – 0.85 0.85 0.85 – 0.45

0.83 – 1.010.33.09

3.091.28 – 3.870.3 – 0.7

3.89 – 5.19

3.89 – 5.195.58 – 4.95

0.7 6.17 – 5.42

6.17 – 5.424.54 – 0.910.7 – 0.45

5.42 – 2.23

5.42 – 2.23

0.83 – 1.01 1.23 – 3.26 4.61 – 4.10 3.79 – 0.90

Hydric requirements

Valor de los requerimientos nutricionales tipo en el total del ciclo del cultivo. Se recomienda la aplicación de nutrientes a través de un abonado racional y en función de la fase de crecimiento del cultivo. Fuente: Conradie, 2000.

Nitrogen – N (Nitrogen fertilizer - N)

Calcium - Ca

Phosphorus – P (phosphate fertilizer -P2O

5)

Magnesium - Mg

Potassium – K (potash fertilizer - K2O)

TypeNUTrIENT requirements (Kg/ ton) requirement for a crop of 12 ton/ha

Macronutrient 18

97

216

1164

76 912

Secondary nutrient50

15

600

180

Nutritional requirements

Irrigation sytem

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) applied to grapevine

The diseases and low quality of the fruit, together with the high water consumption are the main problems to produce grapevine with gravity or sprinkling irrigation systems. The two recommended irrigation systems for grapevine cultivation:•High Frequency Localized irrigation in Surface•Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI)

Although both irrigation systems are considered to be suitable for the grapevine cultivation, nowadays, the subsurface Drip Irrigation is at the forefront of technology in irrigation systems.

Installing a Subsurface Drip Irrigation system (SDI) is the most suitable strategy to increase so much the production and quality of the harvest, as the efficiency in the use of water. The use of a SDI system has important advantages:•Saving of water•Energy efficiency•Better Use of fertilizers• Increase in the quality of the grape

SDI is an irrigation technique that allows the supply water and nutrients to the soil in a localized way and under the Surface, so it conditions and optimizes the growing of roots and the development patron of the plant.

The application of doses of water is made though the emitters, with very specific characteristics. The subsurface drip irrigation allows to apply water and fertilizers directly to the root system of the plants, allowing an important saving of the same and becoming the best alternative economically, ergonomically and ecologically talking.

The application of doses of water is made though the emitters, with very specific characteristics.

In the grapevine cultivation, the handle and control of the microelements are essential due to the importance they have for the plant. • Iron: It affects the photosynthesis and breathing and can be corrected fast with the use of iron chelates. •Magnesium: it participates in the absorption and migration of phosphorous and increases the caption of iron

in the plant.•Manganese: It helps the fruit setting and maturing of the grape, obtaining a better quality of the same. •Zinc: Its lack produces small clusters, landslide.•Calcium: Its excess causes the blocking of microelements as zinc, manganese, iron and copper. •Boron: Its lack demonstrate in the flowers falling and landslide.

Agriculture Solutions - Recommendations in irrigation systems to the culture of grapevine6

SDI Benefitspositive evolution of the physical properties of soil. •Stability of the water contain in the wet bulb. • Increase of porosity in the root area. • Excellent relation between the water contain and the soil

atmosphere.

Increased efficiency of the irrigation water application. •Reduction of the use of water and fertilizers due to a more

accurate control on the application of nutrients. •The volume of water is applied only where required. •The lack of leakages due to less risk of damage favours the

saving of water and also to keep the uniformity of the application.

Increase in irrigated area. •The subsurface drip irrigation doesn´t require specific Access

ways. • The geometry, size and topography of the area doesn´t affect

the uniformity of water application.

allows the use of waste water. •Lack of contact between the supply source (with infection

potential), and the air part of the crop, operators and animals. • Lack of bad smells coming from water. • Extra supply of nutrients for the crop.

Stability in the emitting points. • It is avoided that the accidental action of the operators making

the cultivation labours can move the dripline, changing the place of the emitting points.

Decrease the risk of plagues and diseases.•The diseases which spread is favour by the presence of water in

the Surface of the soil are drastically reduced.

Energy reduction.•Low operation pressure.• High application efficiency.

reduction of damages made by animals. • It is difficult to reach the dripline by the rodents, birds and

borers. In certain areas this is the main reason to install this irrigation system.

Less presence and development of bad weeds.•The seeds which are in the surface don´t reach the humidity

levels necessary to the germination. • Less water and nutrients availability for the already growing bad

weeds. • Less expenses (workman labour and chemical products)

associated to the bad weeds elimination.

Eases the cultivation labours.•The operators and the mechanical equipment are able to move

and work in any direction. •The irrigation system is not exposed to mechanical damages. • Possibility to make any work during and after irrigation.

absence of vandalism • It is dramatically reduced the possibility of intentioned damage

and/or theft of material of the irrigation system.

Solar radiation is avoid•Longer life of the dripline, because it isn´t exposed to the

degrading action of the UV solar radiation.

Definitely, thanks to the installation of the SDI system, we can obtain better output as consequence of an increase in the production and an important decrease of the operational costs.

7Agriculture Solutions - Recommendations in irrigation systems to the culture of grapevine

1 2 3

4

5 5

2 3

4

5

1. pumping systemIt supplies water to the necessary pressure to all the irrigation circuit.

2. filtration systemThe dimensioning and quality of the filters is especially important in a subsurface drip irrigation installation.

3. fertigationFertilizers Automatic supply to all the irrigation sectors

4. Control and operation elements•Flow control: Control flow valves.• Pressure control: Manometric intakes and air release valves. • Water consumption control: Flow meters and counters.

5. Microirrigation dripline

InstallationIt varies depending on the area and type of cultivation, although generically the following features are established:• Irrigation emitting pipe between alternating rows.•Spacing between emitting driplines: from 0.76 to 1.00 m• Spacing between emitters: 0.20 – 0.60 m

Characteristics•Diameter: Ø16 / Ø20 mm•Thickness: 1mm /1.1mm / 1.2mm• Emitter flow rate: 1 l/h, 1.6 l/h, 2.3 l/h.

Specific emitter: azUD prEMIEr pC aSThe location of the emitting dripline under the Surface makes essential the use of pressure compensating emitters with anti-suction system and maximum anti-clogging efficiency. The anti-suction device avoids the entrance of water with particles of the soil, preventing from clogging and increasing the life of the system.

Components of a subsurface drip irrigation installation

SISTEMA AZUD, S.A.Avda. de las Américas P. 6/6Polígono Industrial Oeste 30820 AlcantarillaMurcia - Spain

Apdo. 14730169 San GinésMurcia - SpainTel.: +34 968 808 402Fax.: +34 968 808 302E-mail.: azud@azud.com

www.azud.com