No two vineyards are the same, with soil textures, among many other factors, varying drastically. Netafim Southern & East Africa’s Charl van Reenen explains how understanding below-surface water movement and soil texture can transform your vineyard’s performance, save resources, and ensure long-term vine health.
Successful vineyard irrigation begins long before the first irrigation cycle. According to Charl van Reenen, Agronomy Manager for Netafim Southern & East Africa, understanding how water moves in soil is key to improving vine performance, using resources efficiently and building vineyards that remain productive for decades.
The Netafim team works closely with industry partners, including organisations such as Winetech and Vinpro, to bridge the gap between research and real-world farming.
“We place tremendous value on industry partnerships because they bring science and practical farming together. By working alongside growers, irrigation dealers and industry bodies, we can better understand what works in the field and continue developing more sustainable irrigation practices,” Van Reenen says.
Rather than relying on theory alone, field trials allow irrigation specialists to observe exactly how water moves through different vineyard soils under real conditions.
“When we’re digging soil profile pits and evaluating irrigation events in commercial vineyards, we’re seeing how water actually behaves in that specific block, under those exact conditions. That’s where the real value lies.”
Every soil tells a different story
These collaborations have once again illustrated that no two vineyards behave the same, even when they have identical irrigation systems.
“Soil texture and structure have a significant influence on water movement,” Van Reenen explains. “I’ve seen vineyards of less than a hectare containing five or six different soil types. Each soil type responds differently to irrigation.”
Without understanding the differences in soil texture and structure, growers risk applying either too little or too much water. Water may fail to penetrate deeply enough into the root zone or move beyond it altogether, resulting in unnecessary losses of water, fertiliser and energy while reducing irrigation efficiency.
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Why lower flow rates make a difference
Many vineyards are planted on slopes, where high application rates can result in ponding and runoff before water has a chance to infiltrate the soil.
“The irrigation system should always be designed according to the soil’s infiltration rate,” says Van Reenen. “Lower flow rates allow growers to irrigate for longer periods, giving water time to move deeper into the profile instead of running off the surface.”
Lower flow rates allow water to infiltrate more deeply into the soil profile, promoting stronger root development and improving irrigation efficiency. They also provide greater control over water infiltration and irrigation depth, ensuring the entire root zone is wetted more effectively while reducing runoff and improving water use efficiency.
Strong roots start with good preparation
Long-term vineyard success starts before planting.
“Growers invest significantly in soil preparation because a vineyard should remain productive for at least 15 to 20 years. Correcting soil constraints from the beginning lays the foundation for healthy root development,” explains Van Reenen.
Irrigation management also plays an important role during establishment.
Longer irrigation cycles encourage young vine roots to grow deeper into the soil profile. Allowing the upper soil layers to dry between irrigation events encourages the roots to follow moisture deeper into the soil, resulting in stronger and more extensive root systems.
Over time, these deeper root systems improve vineyard resilience to dry conditions and changing weather patterns while supporting long-term productivity.
Collaborate for long-term success
Effective irrigation planning and management require collaboration between growers, irrigation designers and technical specialists.
“The producer must first define the long-term objectives for the vineyard,” Van Reenen advises. “Once those goals are clear, irrigation designers can ensure the system has the hydraulic capacity and flexibility to deliver the intended irrigation strategy.”
Consultants and technical experts then adapt the design to suit the chosen cultivars, rootstocks and site conditions.
“Each partner brings valuable expertise. When everyone works towards the same objective, the irrigation system can be designed to support the vineyard’s long-term performance.”
Van Reenen encourages growers to move away from relying on assumptions or traditional practices and instead base irrigation decisions on a sound understanding of their soils, root systems and how water moves through the soil profile. This approach enables more precise, efficient and effective irrigation while supporting long-term vineyard performance.
He concludes, “Take the time to understand your soil, your root system and how water moves beneath the surface. Once you know what’s happening below ground, your irrigation becomes more precise, more efficient and ultimately more effective.”
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