SATI Beyond The Bunch 1st Quarter 2026

DEWALD KIRSTEN | LUCENTLANDS

PRECISION IRRIGATION AND NUTRITION

What can table-grape growers do to attain homogeneous fruit yields and quality given variable soils and erratic weather?

BY ANNA MOUTON

Picture the perfect vineyard of identical vines. They all have the same vigour. They ripen the same crop load at the same rate, yielding bunches of the same quality and storability. This vision is the goal of precision agriculture: to achieve uniformity and predictability by managing spatial and temporal variability. Spatial variability manifests as non-uniform vines within blocks. It typically emerges from soil differences, but can also have other causes, such as errors in irrigation system design. Temporal variability reflects changes between and within seasons. It arises naturally from interactions between vine phenology and weather, but is significantly influenced by viticultural practices. This issue of Beyond the Bunch focuses on variability in the context of irrigation and nutrition, including why variability occurs, the tools and technology to measure it, and practical tips for achieving uniformity.

BEYOND THE BUNCH • 4 • QUARTER 1 • 2026