Strategic irrigation management in Australian vineyards

Abstract

Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) and Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD) are examples of strategic irrigation management. They have been successfully adopted for winegrape production in Australia with the aim of controlling vegetative growth to produce 'balanced' vines, and to improve both water-use efficiency (measured as tonnes of fruit per ML of irrigation water applied) and fruit quality for winemaking. This paper will outline some of the physiological principles that underpin these strategies and provide details of experimental and commercial experience in Australian vineyards.