Drip Irrigation
Definition - What does Drip Irrigation mean?
In the context of viticulture, drip irrigation is a low-pressure irrigation method that delivers water to the soil at the base of the vines. Water is delivered to the vines through tubing or pipe that runs along the ground close to the base of the vines. Vineyards implement these irrigation systems to reduce stress on the vines from relying on natural precipitation, also known as dry framing, in years with little rainfall. Drip irrigation has many benefits for vineyards including keeping the leaves of the vines dry and reducing risk of waterborne diseases, mildews and molds as well as being a more conservative type of irrigation that reduces water waste.
WineFrog explains Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is a low pressure method used to apply extra water to vines in the vineyard and is crucial to wine-grape growing. While dry farming, the practice of relying solely on natural precipitation has historically been practiced at vineyards all over the world, implementing an irrigation system allows vineyards to still reap a good harvest in drought years. Drip irrigation has many advantages over other types of irrigation systems that shower water onto the vines, as drip irrigation does not disrupt the soil, less water is exposed to evaporation and the leaves of the vines stay dry, helping the vines reduce their risk of waterborne diseases and molds and mildews.
