Abstract
Spatial variation in yield and fruit composition has been observed in many vineyards, leading to low productivity. In this study, site-specific irrigation was applied in a commercial vineyard (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Shiraz) block in the Sunraysia region of Australia to improve production in low-yielding areas of the block and decrease differences in yield and quality between irrigation management zones. Data collected under uniform irrigation management showed that spatial variation in canopy cover, yield and fruit composition across the vineyard block was substantial. Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and canopy temperature data supported delineation of three irrigation management zones and decisions regarding irrigation strategy. Water use efficiency and yield improvements were achieved by implementing site-specific irrigation. Fruit composition results were varied; pH and titratable acidity showed increased similarity between zones, but other parameters maintained differences between zones. These results lend support to the use of NDVI to determine irrigation management zones.
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Acknowledgments
We wish to acknowledge the Department of Primary Industries Victoria, the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures for funding support. We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing commitment of managers of Deakin Estate to allow research to be undertaken at the vineyard. We would particularly like to thank Deakin Estate’s vineyard manager Craig Thornton and irrigation manager Justin McPhee. Finally, we would like to thank Des Whitfield and Mark O’Connell for their contributions and comments regarding this paper and Julie Kirby for technical assistance.
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Communicated by E. Fereres.
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McClymont, L., Goodwin, I., Mazza, M. et al. Effect of site-specific irrigation management on grapevine yield and fruit quality attributes. Irrig Sci 30, 461–470 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-012-0376-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-012-0376-7