As grape growers, we know our vines need to have adequate amounts of water, nutrients, and sunlight. However, when it comes to water, it’s not just about providing enough of it — it’s also about ensuring it’s distributed uniformly.
What is Irrigation Distribution Uniformity (DU)?
Simply put, distribution uniformity measures how evenly water is applied to the field. In other words, it’s all about making sure every vine or plant in your field gets the same amount of water. This is important because if some plants get too much water and some get too little, it can lead to stunted or excessive growth, reduced yields, and overall poor quality.
It’s important to note that DU is different from irrigation efficiency. Efficiency measures how much water is beneficially used by the plant. It’s the ratio of the input of water compared to the water that is actually used by the plant. On the other hand, DU is about making sure the water is spread evenly throughout the vineyard.
Why Does It Matter?
One of the main reasons irrigation DU is important is scheduling. When we schedule how much water to apply, we want to make sure every plant gets enough water to stay productive. If our DU is perfect, then the amount of water used by the plant would be the exact amount we need to put back on. However, this is rarely the case.
In reality, our irrigation distribution will always have some degree of non-uniformity. This means that some parts of the vineyard will get less water than others. To account for this, we need to apply a little extra water to ensure the driest spot in the field still gets enough water to stay productive. The more non-uniform our system is, the more water we need to apply.
Distribution Uniformity is especially important if you are applying fertilizers or other plant health products through your irrigation system. If water isn’t applied evenly, then neither is the fertilizer, which can lead to uneven plant growth and nutrient imbalances.
If you want to learn more about mastering irrigation distribution uniformity, check out https://www.vineyardundergroundpodcast.com/vu041.
