Using the Pressure Chamber with Wine Grapes
Pressure Chamber (Pressure Bomb) technology has received a lot of interest from the wine industry within the last few years. The increased demand for premium wine has forced growers to investigate ways to improve grape quality. One of these methods is regulated deficit irrigation, that is purposely withholding irrigation and stressing the vine in order to induce favorable physiological changes. There are many “shades of grey” between “well-irrigated” and “water-stressed” vines. The Pressure Chamber allows you to monitor these shades of grey and stress the vine to a point that is appropriate for your purpose. Plant water stress is a sum of four environmental influences; soil moisture, humidity, wind and direct sunlight or heat load. While most monitoring systems only monitor one of these influences, the Pressure Chamber takes all four into consideration when taking a direct plant based measurement.
Almonds
Pressure Chamber (Pressure Bomb) technology continues to receive a lot of interest as water resources are stretched. Having become a standard method for plant based irrigation decisions in the orchard, the Pressure Bomb has been shown especially helpful in the Almond orchard for helping discern when to begin irrigation for the season. Plant based measurements are also extremely helpful in keeping the orchard well irrigated for optimal growth but not over-irrigated during hull split and pre-harvest which can lead to disease and problems at harvest. As harvest time approaches, the pressure bomb will help preserve the ability to stress during hull split and right prior to harvest to ensure a good split and good release of nuts.
Walnuts
Pressure Chamber (Pressure Bomb) technology continues to receive a lot of interest as water resources are stretched. Having become a standard method for plant based irrigation decisions in the orchard, the Pressure Bomb has been shown especially helpful in the Walnut orchard for helping discern when to begin irrigation for the season. Plant based measurements are also extremely helpful in keeping the orchard well irrigated for optimal growth but not over-irrigated which helps prevent disease and problems at harvest. As harvest time approaches, the pressure bomb will help preserve the ability to monitor stress right prior to harvest to ensure plants do not get overstressed during harvest when irrigation normally is limited to keep the orchard floor dry.
Prunes
Pressure Chamber (Pressure Bomb) technology continues to receive a lot of interest as water resources are stretched. Having become a standard method for plant based irrigation decisions in the orchard, the Pressure Bomb has been shown especially helpful in the Prune orchard for helping discern when to begin irrigation for the season. Plant based measurements are also extremely helpful in keeping the orchard well irrigated for optimal growth but not over-irrigated which helps prevent disease and problems at harvest. As harvest time approaches, the pressure bomb will help preserve the ability to monitor stress right prior to harvest to ensure plants do not get overstressed during harvest when irrigation normally is limited to keep the orchard floor dry.
Crop Stress Levels
An excellent resource of links for crop tables and information including wine grapes, almond trees, walnut trees, stone fruit trees (nectarines, peaches, prunes), cotton and more.