Drip irrigation for vineyards and orchards

• Deep root system (50–200 cm): requires a larger single dose of water, less frequent irrigation
• Long rows (100–300+ m): PC tape or PC emitters are mandatory
• Tape lasts 10–20 years: thicker 15 mil or 16–20 mm tubing with inline emitters
• Mechanized cultivation: the mainline is buried or suspended on supports above tractor height
• Long-term ROI: the investment pays back in 3–5 years, but the system lasts 20+ years

System parameters:

• Rows 2.5–3.5 m apart (mechanized cultivation), vines 1–1.5 m apart in the row
• Density: 2,500–4,000 vines/ha
• 1 line of 15 mil PC tape along the row at a height of 40–60 cm on the trellis
• Emitter spacing 40–50 cm, flow rate 2 L/h
• Alternative — inline tubing with PC emitters (more durable, 15–20 years)

Irrigation schedule:

Fertigation:

• EC 1.5–2.0 (grapes are sensitive to salinity)
• pH 6.0–6.5
• High K during ripening — sugar and aroma
• Restrained N — excess = vigorous vegetative growth, poor berry quality

System parameters:

• Rows 4–5 m apart (3 m on dwarf rootstock), trees 1.5–3 m apart in the row
• Density: 800–2,500 trees/ha depending on rootstock
• 2 options: (1) 1 line of PC tape with 50 cm spacing; (2) inline tubing with 2–4 point PC emitters per tree
• Flow rate 2–8 L/h with PC — pressure stability is important

Irrigation rates by age:

• 1–3 years (young): 20–40 L/tree/week
• 4–7 years (developing): 50–100 L/week
• 8–15 years (bearing): 100–200 L/week at peak
• 15+ years (mature): 150–300 L/week

Key phases:

• April–May: after flowering, fruit set — critical irrigation
• June: June drop — regular irrigation
• July–August: fruit fill — maximum rate
• 2 weeks before harvest — reduce (improves storage quality)
• October: pre-winter deep watering, 200–400 L/tree

• Density: 400–800 trees/ha
• 2–4 PC emitters per tree at 4 L/h
• Lower water demand vs. apples/pears: 80–120 L/tree/week at peak
• Sensitive to drying out after flowering — causes fruit drop
• Apricot and peach do not tolerate overwatering — leads to gummosis

• Rows 2–3 m apart, bushes 0.5–1 m apart in the row
• 8–10 mil PC tape, 20–30 cm spacing, 1.6 L/h flow rate
• Blueberry requires pH 4.5–5.5 — acidic conditions, acid fertigation is mandatory
• Raspberry and blackberry — shallow roots, sensitive to drying out
• Daily irrigation during fruiting at 15–25 L/m² per row

Subsurface Drip Irrigation — tape is installed at a depth of 20–40 cm. The most promising technology for perennial plantings.

Advantages:

• Water savings of 30–50% vs. surface drip — no evaporation
• No weeds between rows (the surface stays dry)
• Protection from UV, rodents, and mechanical damage — service life of 15–20 years
• Does not interfere with cultivation or harvesting
• Roots grow deeper — plants are more drought-resistant

Requirements:

• Anti-siphon / anti-drain emitters are mandatory (Netafim DripNet PC AS)
• Vacuum valves (air-vacuum valves) on the mainline
• High water quality — 150 mesh filtration + chlorine treatment
• Installation with a specialized tractor with an injector or layer

• Mainline, tape, and SDI stay in place — they are not removed
• Blowing out with a compressor at 6–8 bar is mandatory to remove all water
• Drain valves at low points — automatic drainage when pressure drops
• Pump, controller, and fertigation station — remove and store indoors in a warm space
• Acid and chlorine treatment before storage — prevents biofilm and deposits

• ISO 9261: emitter classification, Cv ≤ 0.05 for quality emitters
• ISO 9912: filters for microirrigation — requirements and test methods
• ASABE EP405: design and installation of microirrigation
• FAO Paper 36: Localized irrigation design manual
• FAO Paper 56: crop evapotranspiration, Kc for vineyard (0.3–0.85), orchard (0.45–1.15 for apples/pears mid-season)