Chapter 14

Vineyard Deficit Irrigation Strategies

Partial Rootzone Drying

Partial rootzone drying is an irrigation technique where irrigation events occur alternately, half of the vine root zone is irrigated while the other half dries out. The process is then reversed, wetting the dry side of the vine. Irrigation cycles may vary from 3 to 5 days, to 10 to 14 day intervals, depending on the severity of water stress (temperature, relative humidity, wind) and nature of the soil (Jackson, 2008). To sustain the regulating effect, the wet and dry zones need to be alternated; oth­erwise, the vine adjusts by limiting root growth on the dry side and expanding it on the wet-side.

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