Technical Yearbook 2024

JUNE

Vineyard response to the floods in the Olifants River region during 2023 By Gert Engelbrecht It is not uncommon for regional producers to see vineyards against the Olifants River under water during the winter months. It is usually a welcome sight and means that the catchment areas of the Olifants and Doring River Schemes received good rain.

Floods during winter: problem or not? During winter 2023 vineyards were under water for periods of even longer than a month and this had no visible negative effect on the crop of 2024. However, it was evident that these blocks which were submerged for long periods during winter 2023, entered bud break very early

The large number of vineyards established on the flood plain usually benefit from the winter floods in two ways, namely the removal and washing away of accumulated brackish salts from vineyard soils, and the replenishment of the groundwater content of especially the deeper soil layers, which alleviates pressure on irrigation during the peak growing season.

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2024