Location: Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-21000-055-050-G
Project Type: Grant
Start Date: May 1, 2024
End Date: Oct 31, 2025
Objective:
1. Differentiate crop water productivity (grape yield/water used) between surface (SD) and subsurface (DRZTM) drip systems.
2. Quantify soil nitrogen and organic matter under SD vs. DRZTM application.
3. Compare vine photosynthesis rate, xylem pressure potentials, and grape quality under SD and SSD application.
4. Document advantages of sensor-driven vs. grower determined scheduling.
Approach:
This study will use commercially available soil moisture probes to monitor and adjust irrigation scheduling in 2-3 commercial vineyards. Vine stress will be determined by both on-vine and near-remote sensing methods. Measurements will occur on 3-4 dates at each site during the growing season. Soil sampling for nitrogen and organic matter will occur near the same date when vine physiological measurements are made. All project data will be analyzed statistically.
