Introduction:

Providing good quality and quantity of water to grape nursery plants at

appropriate time is important for production of healthy planting material.

Reclaimed water can be a sustainable source for irrigation

requirements of grape nursery.

Irrigation scheduling is the scientific management of irrigation water

based on crop water requirement under different soil and agro climatic

conditions with an objective to maximize the water use efficiency.

Amount of irrigation varies with the nursery growth stages of the plants.

Introduction:

A Healthy In Situ Grape Nursery

In Situ Grape Nursery in healthy condition

Water requirement of Grape Nursery

Sr. Water Requirement Growth Stages

Root stock Nursery (Dogridge B, 110 R )

1 1-30 days 1 irrigation/week (depend on rainfall)

2 30-60 days 1 irrigation/week (depend on rainfall)

3 60- till transplanting 1 irrigation /15 days (depend on rainfall)

In situ Nursery (Thompson seedless, Tas e Ganesh, Sonakka, Sharad

Seedless, Flame Seedless, Red Globe, Jumbo Seedless)

1 April to June (till rains) 1 irrigation /week

2 July to October 1 irrigation/15 days (depend on rainfall)

3 November to January 1 irrigation /week

Signs of Moisture Stress:

• Moisture stress and high temperature affects the nursery plant

growth. Under mild moisture stress plant exhibit leaf curling

symptoms and under severe moisture stress result in reduced

shoot growth, thickness, inter nodal length and leaf size.

• Prolonged moisture stress results in premature leaf fall and the

cane exhibits false maturity symptoms.

• In case of vigorous grape varieties and rootstocks it is necessary

to control shoot vigour so as to produce balanced growth through

irrigation management.

• Due to excessive irrigation in heavy soils causes major

physiological problems in soil.

Reclaimed Water:

Reclaimed water, also known as recycled water, is water

recovered from domestic, municipal and industries which has been

treated to standards that allow safe reuse. Properly reclaimed water

is typically safe for most of the uses except human consumption.

Such water has higher levels of Chloride, Sodium, Calcium and pH,

nitrate and phosphorus.

Need of using Reclaimed water: The demand for fresh water is

growing and the resources are getting scarce. Use of reclaimed

water can reduce pressure on potable water. Reuse can also help

reduce pressure on ground water being extracted.

Considerations for Use of Reclaimed Water

1. Guidelines regarding storage of recycled water must be

strictly followed.

2. Irrigation scheduling should be adjusted as per the water

storage capacity of container and supply from water

treatment plant.

3. The water quality of reclaimed water must be regularly

monitored and corrected.

4. Good rapport must be set up with the treatment plant staff

for proper quality and timely availability of water for nursery.