24 APRIL 1, 2016 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com
W
ine grape growers can improve water
use efficiency and still produce com-
parable yields by applying less water
deep beneath the soil surface rather
than through surface drip irrigation,
a Washington State University study showed in its first
year.
No one is advocating that growers make the switch
just yet. The vineyard research will continue for several
years to understand the concept in both the Cabernet
Sauvignon block from year one and an additional Char-
donnay block. Still to be studied is whether low-volume,
root-zone deficit irrigation affects grape or wine quality.
However, the initial results were encouraging to the
participants.
"We're trying to find the sweet spot, both in depth and
amount and style of irrigation, but this was a really good
year," Dr. Pete Jacoby, WSU professor and plant ecolo-
gist, told Good Fruit Grower. "By the time we get to the
end of the third or fourth growing season, when the vine-
yard has experienced different growing conditions, we
should have a good indication of the appropriate appli-
cation and have some recommendations for growers."
Jacoby conducted the first year of the study on a
Deep WAteR
Grape Water Management
WSU study shows that
applying drip irrigation
deep beneath the soil
surface holds promise.
by Shannon Dininny
