The Complete Guide to High-Yield Water and Fertilizer Management Techniques for Vineyards

The per-mu yield of grapes generally ranges from 4,000-5,000 jin, and the annual profit of one mu of vineyard ranges from several hundred thousand to over a million yuan. In the management of a vineyard, water and fertilizer management techniques are especially important, so this complete technical guide is compiled below; once mastered, high yield will no longer be a problem.

I. Fertilization Techniques for Vineyards

(1) Types of Grape Fertilization

1. Application of Base Fertilizer

To achieve high yield and good quality in grapes, soil nutrients are very important. However, ordinary soil nutrients cannot meet the demands of high yield, so the application of base fertilizer is especially important. It is generally based mainly on decomposed organic fertilizer, with chemical fertilizers such as calcium phosphate and potassium sulfate added at the same time.

2. Application of Sprouting-promoting Fertilizer

The sprouting-promoting fertilizer is based mainly on slow-release nitrogen fertilizer, applying 20KG of urea and 10KG of superphosphate per mu.

3. Application of Pre-flowering Fertilizer

Based mainly on quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer.

4. Application of Fruit-swelling Fertilizer

The fruit-swelling fertilizer mainly applies urea and potassium sulfate.

5. Coloring Fertilizer

The coloring fertilizer is based mainly on potassium fertilizer, with an appropriate addition of magnesium sulfate.

6. Post-harvest Fertilizer

The post-harvest fertilizer is based mainly on ternary compound fertilizer and decomposed manure.

(2) Timing of Grape Fertilization

1. Timing of Base Fertilizer Application

The application period is mostly after leaf fall, and is now mostly changed to after fruit harvest. When applying fertilizer, trench application or hole application is used, generally once every two years. After fertilization, immediately cover the fertilization trenches and holes with soil, and carry out irrigation.

2. Timing of Grape Topdressing

Besides base fertilizer, topdressing is also very important for grapes. The sprouting-promoting fertilizer is applied before grape bud break (around February), based mainly on quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer; in late April, a pre-flowering fertilizer is applied; after the grapes set fruit, foliar fertilizer is sprayed, and 20-30 days before berry ripening, when the berries begin to soften but have not yet colored, the fruit-swelling fertilizer and coloring fertilizer are applied; after fruit harvest, because the tree's nutrient consumption is relatively large, fertilization is needed to ease the tree vigor and delay leaf fall.

II. Irrigation Techniques for Vineyards

1. Surface Furrow Irrigation and Border Irrigation

This is the main irrigation method used by vineyards in various regions over the long term. Irrigation water enters the vineyard through a channel system set up in the field, and irrigation is carried out in the vineyard along the direction of the planting furrow rows. This irrigation method requires little investment, is relatively convenient, and can be combined with fertilization, but its disadvantages are high water demand and low irrigation water use efficiency.

2. Vineyard Flood Irrigation

That is, flooding the entire vineyard with a large amount of water. This is a special irrigation method mainly used in saline-alkali vineyard soils to reduce salt content in the plow layer.

3. Vineyard Sprinkler Irrigation

Fixed or movable sprinkler irrigation machinery is specially installed in the vineyard. Under artificial pressurization, irrigation water passes through pipes and nozzles to form artificial rainfall that supplies water to the grape plants. Sprinkler irrigation can save about 30% of water, and root topdressing can be carried out together with sprinkler irrigation. In summer high temperatures, sprinkler irrigation can also lower the air temperature in the vineyard.

4. Vineyard Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation pipes are set up on the trellis surface or ground surface of the vineyard, with a dripper set above the root system of each plant, slowly seeping into the soil through dripping. Drip irrigation reduces water runoff loss, saves more than 50% of water, can be combined with fertilization, and can also be coordinated with computers for automatic regulation and reasonable water supply according to plant growth and fruiting needs. In some areas, ground mulching is combined with drip irrigation to implement drip irrigation under film, making water savings even more significant.

In vineyard management, besides water and fertilizer, pest and disease control, intertillage and weeding, etc. are also especially important. Only by doing comprehensive management well can the grapes in the vineyard achieve high yield.