Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/657340
www.goodfruit.com Good Fruit Grower APRIL 1, 2016 27 measure the cumulative effects of water stress to the plants. "Over years, it seems like when you have a consis- tently stressed situation, the cumulative effect can be pretty precipitous," he said. "Having said that, under the highest water treatment, which was about 60 percent of our normal application, there were few differences." He also noted a nice side benefit of fewer weeds. Going forward The research continues in the upcoming growing sea- son at the same Cabernet Sauvignon block. In addition, a new project begins at a 2-year-old Hogue Ranches Char- donnay block in Prosser, Washington, where the study was delayed by one year after the vineyard experienced significant cold damage the previous winter. Research collaborators are Drs. Markus Keller, Troy Peters, Sind- huja Sankaran and Lav Khot, all of Washington State University. In the future, Jacoby also aims to work with research- ers to study the effects of subsurface, deficit irrigation on grapes and wine quality from these vineyards. The vineyard research is being funded by the Wash- ington State Wine Commission, the Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research, the Washington State Concord Grape Research Council (see "Concords on deficit," on page 26) and the Washington State Department of Agri- culture under an SCRI block grant. • "As a grower, if you're going along and all of a sudden your water supplies are reduced by 30, 40 percent ... knowing how you can manage that water is a significant piece of knowledge." —Scott Williams Photos courtesy Pete Jacoby In the study, vertical delivery tubes installed 18 inches on either side of each vine deliver irrigation water at depths of 1, 2 and 3 feet as shown above and at left. A nice benefit of deficit irrigation: fewer weeds. Orchard Proven, University Tested 610 Central Avenue Billings, MT 59102 (406) 248-5856 1-800-735-5323 www.scentry.com Bee-Scent research data obtained from Dr. Dan Mayer, Washington State University For more information, call 1-800-735-5323 or visit www.scentry.com. Bee-Scent's natural, non-toxic pheromone ingredient induces the foraging behavior in honey bees, increasing the number of bee-to-blossom visits at each tree. The result is a higher percentage of blossom set and increased fruit yields. • Increase Fruit Set on Pears, Cherries and Braeburn Apples! • Increase Size Potential of Gala Apples by Increasing the Seed Complement! • Conforms to National Organic Program Standards • WSDA Organic Certifi ed