Overall Planning for Developing a New Vineyard: Site Selection and Assessment Ed Hellman Viticulture Extension Specialist
Critical Site Selection Criteria Climate (plant adapted varieties) Diseases and Pests (climate & soil influence) Irrigation water availability Irrigation water quality Soil depth Soil drainage Cold air drainage (topography)
Where should I plant my vineyard? Ideal Situation: Search for the best location Common Situation: The family ranch
Ideal Situation: Search for the best location
Ideal Situation: Search for the best location Macroclimate (Region) Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Relative Humidity
Average Annual Precipitation 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 0 10 48 50 40 42 24 26
Pierce s disease Probability Map - 2012 Cotton Root Rot Losses Map - 1974 Heavy Light None
Irrigation Water Availability
Spatial Variability of General Soil Types Soil Associations Texas High Plains AVA Texas Hill Country AVA
Successful Vineyards Exist on Many Different Soils
Other Site Selection Considerations Proximity to market American Viticultural Area
American Viticultural Areas (AVA) of Texas Texas High Plains Texoma Mesilla Valley Texas Davis Mountains Escondido Valley Texas Hill Country Bell Mountain Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country
Site Assessment the local level The family ranch
Critical Site Selection Criteria Climate (plant adapted varieties) Diseases and Pests (climate & soil influence) Irrigation water availability Irrigation water quality Soil depth Soil drainage Cold air drainage (topography)
Site Assessment the local level Macroclimate (Region) Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Relative Humidity Mesoclimate (Site) Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Relative Humidity Wind & air circulation Cold air drainage (topography)
Cold Air Flows Downhill Tony Wolf Cooperative Extension Virginia
Avoid Frost Pockets
Critical Site Selection Criteria Climate (plant adapted varieties) Diseases and Pests (climate & soil influence) Irrigation water availability Irrigation water quality Soil depth Soil drainage Cold air drainage (topography)
Great Vineyards Program Potential Vineyard Site Assessment Form
Irrigation Water Quantity & Quality
Irrigation Water Needs Texas High Plains (peak ET o ) Reference Evapotranspiration ET o = 0.258 in/day Grape Crop Coefficent K c = 0.50 Grape ET = 0.258 in/day X 0.50 = 0.129 in/day Vineyard water use = 0.129 in/day
Irrigation Water Needs Vineyard water use = 0.129 in/day 1 acre-inch = 27, 154 gallons/acre Daily replacement need = 27,154 gal/a X 0.129 in Daily replacement need = 3500 gal/acre 3,500 gal/acre 480 min (pump time) = 7.3 gpm Minimum well output = 7.3 gal/min/acre
Irrigation Water Needs Minimum well output = 7.3 gal/min/acre Calculation Assumptions: Irrigation supplies 100% water needs Irrigation replaces 100% Grape ET (50-75% replacement sufficient if no cover crop) Plan for well output to decline in future Plan for more than current needs Perhaps 2X output: 15 gal/min/acre
Irrigation Water Quality for Grapes Salinity Electrical Conductivity Total Dissolved Solids Increasing Problems > 1.0 mmhos/cm > 640 ppm
Salt Buildup in Soil
Irrigation Water Quality for Grapes Salinity Electrical Conductivity Total Dissolved Solids Increasing Problems > 1.0 mmhos/cm > 640 ppm Soil Permeability to Water Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) Increasing Problems SAR 6
Water Infiltration Rate (Permeability) Irrigation water with high sodium levels causes soil clay particles to disperse Water infiltration is reduced
Irrigation Water Mineral Toxicity Increasing Problems Sodium Chloride Boron > 460 ppm 140 ppm 1 ppm
Salt Injury Furrow Irrigation
Vineyard Site Assessment: Soils
General Criteria for a Suitable Vineyard Soil Depth of at least 3 ft (Great Vineyards minimum 2 ft) Good water-holding capacity Moderate to high water infiltration rate Good internal drainage ph between 5.5-8.0 in the root zone Absence of toxic concentrations of salts or nutrients Source: Nicholas, 2004. Soil, Irrigation and Nutrition
Soil Physical Properties
Soil Depth Influences Water Availability
Available Water Capacity Good available water capacity 0.10 to 0.20 inches water per inch soil depth
High Available Water Capacity + High Rainfall (or irrigation) = High Vigor
Water Infiltration Rate Hydrologic soil group = Moderate or high infiltration rate Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity 4.0 14.0 micro m/sec
Good internal water drainage Drainage Class: Moderately well-drained to well-drained Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity 4.0 14.0 micro m/sec
Soil Chemical Properties
ph 5.2 to 8.2 Absence of toxicity Sodium < 690 mg/l Chloride < 350 mg/l Boron < 1 mg/l Salinity conductivity < 2.5 mmhos/cm
Where to Find Soil Information? http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
Soil Survey for Entire U.S.
Find your location & outline it
Area of Interest outlined in red
Select Soil Map tab
Soil Map
Select Soil Data Explore, Soil Reports
Report Physical Soil Properties
Report Chemical Soil Properties
Verify Soil Physical Properties Dig soil pits throughout site Compare with soil survey Observe: Depth Texture Variability Problems
Verify Soil Chemical Properties Collect soil samples from throughout site http://soiltesting.tamu.edu
Soil Conditions Favorable to Cotton Root Rot Alkaline soil ph > 7.3 High in Calcium Bicarbonate Low in Sodium High soil temperature High soil moisture traps CO 2 (clay soils)
Management of a Less-Than-Ideal Vineyard Soil Pre-planting Remediation Options: Increase rooting depth by deep-ripping with chisel plow Improve soil drainage with drain tile system Modify ph with amendments (lime, sulfur) Fertilizer additions if necessary (P, Mg, K)
Management of a High-Capacity Vineyard Soil Vineyard Development and Post-planting: Low-vigor rootstocks? Competitive cover crop in alleys (maintenance required) Divided canopy training system Canopy management (hedging, leaf-pulling)
Less than Ideal Vineyard Site Soil Drainage Frost Pocket Cotton Root Rot
Less than Ideal Vineyard Site Compromise accept lower yields accept lower fruit quality accept higher loss risk Reduced Returns Remediation modify soil drainage hedging vigorous canopy disease & pest control practices frost protection Increased Costs
Critical Site Selection Criteria Climate (plant adapted varieties) Diseases and Pests (climate & soil influence) Irrigation water availability Irrigation water quality Soil depth Soil drainage Cold air drainage (topography)
Other Site Selection Considerations Good roads Good neighbors
You only get one chance to select your vineyard location