Grape (Wine & Table)
ValidatedPerformance
Recommended for experimental and commercial use. Sensor readings generally correlate well against the pressure chamber.
Installation Tips
- Use the 7mm probes only, and install into a vine that is at least 0.75” in diameter.
- Sensors must be installed into vines that are large enough and healthy.
- Consider taking a core sample of nearby vines to ensure xylem is healthy. This is especially important if the vines are exposed to conditions that damage the xylem: trunk diseases (Eutypa, black foot, etc.), heavy water stress for years, sub-freezing temperatures.
- Sensors should be installed after leaf-out and re-installed each year. That being said, we have seen sensors work well for multiple years without re-installation (we’re looking into this).
Known Issues
- Sensors can get disconnected from xylem due to breaks in the mating compound. The sensors will then read very negative values during the hottest part of day. Reinstall.
- Sensor data will be non-sensical if sensors are installed into damaged/diseased/inactive part of wood. If your vineyard has lots of wood disease, consider installing sensors into younger vines that may be healthier.
Data & Validation
Trunk disease will prevent accurate SWP readings.
References
- Scheduling irrigation with a pressure chamber. Part 1. Part 2.
- What it’s like to have real time plant stress