Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/561374
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m S e p t - O c t 2 015 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 3 7 vintners and growers have focused on water conservation for decades, long before the current drought, and a majority engage in sustain- able winegrowing practices to reduce water use and preserve nat- ural resources." Technology is now essential. Andrew McElrone, research plant physiologist with the U.S. Depart- ment of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, shares a car-driv- ing analogy from a colleague. "Imagine driving with the gauges on your dashboard covered. You could do it, but you wouldn't be maximizing performance and you likely would run into problems with speeding or running out of gas. The same concept can be applied to irri- gation management; there are lots of gauges and measurements that can help to improve management decisions. Which ones to use is the question." One possible choice combines software and hardware – sap flow sensors on the vine monitor transpi- ration plus weather information – in an integrated data services package from Fruition Sciences. The data is output into a single index designed to help vineyard managers compre- hensively manage water, according to Virginie Scoarnec, Fruition Sci- ences' sales and marketing director. Sap flow sensors measure the grapevine's transpiration rate to determine its health and water needs. Observers, even experts, can be "fooled by visual symp- toms," Scoarnec said. "The vine is not designed to show what may be happening on the inside." The sen- sor is installed on the most repre- sentative vine in the block. Data is transmitted wirelessly to a network and sent to a central server, respon- sible for data collection and analy- sis. Reports are accessible online. The service starts at $500 per year, with the option to add other mod- ules at additional cost. In an experiment conducted by Sensors from Fruition Sciences measure and wirelessly transmit weather and sap flow data every 15 minutes. TM Learn how at: www.dri-products.com 707-965-9313 Did you know? The DRI system from DEEP ROOT IRRIGATION can save you up to 50% of your water use! Water Management? We've got you covered! Mark Greenspan and his team feature: soil & plant moisture measurement technologies data telemetry, weather stations, irrigation automation monitoring, guidance, advising nutrient, pest and total vineyard management Advanced Viticulture, Inc. Tel: 707.838.3805 info@advancedvit.com www.advancedvit.com