Comment
Another up and down week as far as temperatures go, starting hot but ending in an unseasonably cold day yesterday and not much warmer today. We had no effective rain in the past two weeks and the forecast is to get warmer without much in the way of rain. Soil moisture levels are beginning to significantly dry down with some sharp drops on many sites this week. Veraison (as was flowering) will be later this season and we have adjusted the dates accordingly. Once we reach veraison the irrigation requirement increases for most strategies as from then on the aim is to replace crop use for the majority of strategies.
Please note due to Waitangi holiday on Monday Viv and Helen will be doing Monday's readings on Tuesday and Tuesday's on Wednesday next week only. Ho's sites will be as normal.
Please do not hesitate to contact me about our services or any changes you require.
Jim Mercer. 3/2/12
Soil Type
|
Deficit (mm)
|
% Irrigating
|
Irrigation (mm)
|
Rainfall (mm)
|
Crop Use (mm)
|
| Light |
26 |
90% |
9 |
4 |
13 |
| Medium |
44 |
87% |
7 |
4 |
13 |
| Heavy |
55 |
71% |
7 |
4 |
13 |
This weekly data is based on all sites following the standard irrigation strategy for grapes in Marlborough. The standard irrigation strategy for grapes involves good soil moisture at flowering and then slowly drying out to be at REFILL near veraison and maintain soil moisture around the REFILL line until harvest.
Contacts:
Jim Mercer (027) 484 0151 Ho Scorgie (027) 602 7456
Viv Patchett (027) 530 9529 Helen Woodward (027) 484 3033