Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/89494
VINEYARD SOIL & CELLAR bottom of the hill, causing the vines at the top to be low in vigor in com- parison to those at the bottom. In a situation like this, it might make sense to modify your irriga- tion system. Dividing a block into several irrigation sub-blocks can be helpful. Installing in-line valves in the drip hose to irrigate the top of the vineyard, but having the option to shut off water to the bottom of the vineyard, may help bring the block into uniformity. However, sometimes the low- vigor section is in the middle of a block or closer to the irrigation ris- ers than the higher-vigor section; in this case it may make sense to install a second drip hose off the irrigation riser, commonly referred to as "double poly." If you install a second drip hose, you can choose to put emitters in the weak section or at weak vines and only irrigate those vines. If your vineyard is set up to inject fertilizer through the drip system, you can fertigate only through the double poly and target the weak section within a block. ORGANIC MATTERS Beyond soil depth, soil organic matter plays an important role in vine vigor. Shallow soils weath- ered from rock will likely contain less organic matter than an alluvial soil. Soils with better water-holding capacity, such as those with clay content or clay loam, tend to have higher organic matter compared to sandy and rocky soils. During Compost can be applied by machine or by shovel. Photo: Remi Cohen vineyard development, some con- touring of land may be required, and it is not uncommon for land to have been scraped and the topsoil, which holds the majority of soil organic matter, not replenished. Soils that are shallow or low in organic matter can be ameliorated through the addition of compost and through the judicious use of cover crops. Post-planting, com- post can be applied via machin- ery by banding under the vines or hand applications via shovel. It is not uncommon to use 3-5 tons per acre or more banded under the vines. Applying compost directly under emitters improves vine nutri- ent access and enhances microbial activity. It also can be used to pro- vide differential treatment to the NEW & USED UNITS AVAILABLE All Major Credit Cards Accepted COLD SHOT CHILLERS® • Low Temperature Glycol Chillers • Custom Designed Cooling Applications from 2 to 100 Tons • Most Machines Shipped in 2 Weeks or Less • 5 Year Compressor Warranty • Providing Cooling Solutions for 30+ Years • Free Technical Support 24/7/365 866-307-9731 FAX: 281-227-8404 40 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT NOV - DEC 2012 www.waterchillers.com WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM wine@hoyt-shepston.com weak areas, where only weak sec- tions or vines get compost. This strategy, however, should be accompanied by strategies to improve overall soil health and organic matter in the area, not just under the emitter. This would