Irrigation
Irrigation system shutdown maintenance
Taking time to carry out an irrigation maintenance program after harvest reduces the chance of system blockages and poor performance when the irrigation is switched on next season.
Blocked emitters are a common cause of uneven irrigation, and can result from:
- sediment or particles in irrigation water
- algal or biological growth
- mineral deposits
- root intrusion
Poor irrigation performance can lead to:
- uneven vine growth across blocks
- inconsistent berry development and ripening
- reduced yield or fruit quality
- uneven fertiliser application during fertigation
- increased susceptibility to pests and diseases
- wasted water, fertiliser, labour and energy
Whilst routine monitoring during the season helps identify potential issues early, taking the time to ‘put your irrigation to bed’ for the winter following a structured and evidence-based process will ensure that you’re ready to apply water in the spring as soon as the weather and soil water levels dictate.
A simple shut-down maintenance routine can potentially save water and improve yield and quality next season.
Post-season irrigation maintenance checklist
Preparing your system for a long period of inactivity (more than 60 days) is equally critical to the in-season regular flushing that removes sand, silt and clay. Additional chemical treatment may be needed to remove algal, bacterial or chemical deposits such as carbonate, iron and manganese, all of which can reduce flow or block emitters over time.
According to the Netafim Drip Irrigation Maintenance Handbook, the following procedures should be implemented:
- flushing the main, sub-main, laterals and flushing manifold (page 17)
- chemical injection (page 44)
- filter back-flushing (page 17)
- preparation of the pumping system (page 76)
Flushing
Watch this AWRI instructional video for flushing lines and chemical treatment.
Chemical treatment
This AWRI webinar explores chemical treatment options and also provides a guide to flushing irrigation system.
Clean and service filters
A partially blocked filter can affect the entire system. Simple actions like cleaning filters can avoid replacing blocked dripper lines or overloading pumps.
A typical procedure would include:
- removing debris or sediment build-up
- cleaning or replacing filter elements
- checking seals and fittings
- ensuring automatic backflush systems are working (if installed)
Further advice and practical tips can be found in the Netafim Drip Irrigation Maintenance Handbook.
Inspect entire system for wear and damage
Whilst satellite imaging can identify under-performing vines based on canopy health, it doesn’t tell you why. Walking rows and closely checking irrigation infrastructure is still one of the most effective ways to identify and fix issues — maybe pop on a podcast while you’re walking and keep accurate records of any issues found.
Repair or replace any damaged or faulty components, bearing in mind that each part ideally needs to make it through the demands of the following season.
Review season performance (uniformity, issues, water use)
Review vineyard performance and irrigation monitoring records from the previous season. Variation in dripper performance greater than 10% can indicate blockages, leaks or system limitations.
Look for clues that indicate where vines are underperforming. Irrigation failure could be a contributing factor and now’s an ideal time to check and eliminate it as a possibility.
If emitter blockages are frequent, review filtration and flushing practices.
Satellite imagery is a useful tool for pinpointing problem areas:
- Irrisat is a free service which draws its information from Google maps. One advantage is that it stores weekly data from a number of years, so you can scroll back to the parts of the growing season where water stress was at its highest.
- Other satellite imagery services tailored to your needs have been tested under Wine Australia’s agtech program and you can hear grower experiences in these videos:
Plan improvements for next season
From low-cost fixes like improving drainage or adjusting irrigation lines to major upgrades, winter is a great time to plan and implement improvements to prevent losses next season and to assess the feasibility of upgrading to new technology.
Wine Australia’s agtech program has completed a series of in-vineyard trials to test a range of vine stress, soil moisture and water monitoring technology, as well irrigation scheduling systems that give you control from the palm of your hand.
Hear grower experiences
- Torbrek and Swan Systems – achieving vine consistency through data integration
- Penley Estate and Athena Irrigation – sensing vine water needs with canopy sensors
Explore more at Wine Australia's Agtech Hub.