Mark C. Battany

Rainfall runoff and erosion in Napa Valley vineyards: effects of slope, cover and surface roughness

The effects of slope, cover and surface roughness on rainfall runoff, infiltration and erosion were determined at two sites on a hillside vineyard in Napa County, California, using a portable rainfall simulator. Rainfall simulation experiments were carried out at two sites, with five replications of three slope treatments (5%, 10% and 15%) in a randomized block design at each site (0%bsol;64 m2 plots). Prior to initiation of the rainfall simulations, detailed assessments, not considered in previous vineyard studies, of soil slope, cover and surface roughness were conducted. Significant correlations (at the 95% confidence level) between the physical characteristics of slope, cover and surface roughness, with total infiltration, runoff, sediment discharge and average sediment concentration were obtained. The extent of soil cracking, a physical characteristic not directly measured, also affected analysis of the rainfall–runoff–erosion process. Average cumulative runoff and cumulative sediment discharge from site A was 87% and 242% greater, respectively, than at site B. This difference was linked to the greater cover, extent of soil cracking and bulk density at site B than at site A. The extent of soil cover was the dominant factor limiting soil loss when soil cracking was not present. Field slopes within the range of 4–16%, although a statistically significant factor affecting soil losses, had only a minor impact on the amount of soil loss. The Horton infiltration equation fit field data better than the modified Philips equation. Owing to the variability in the ‘treatment’ parameters affecting the rainfall–runoff–erosion process, use of ANOVA methods were found to be inappropriate; multiple-factor regression analysis was more useful for identifying significant parameters. Overall, we obtained similar values for soil erosion parameters as those obtained from vineyard erosion studies in Europe. In addition, it appears that results from the small plot studies may be adequately scaled up one to two orders of magnitude in terms of land areas considered. Copyright

Botryosphaeriaceae Species Spore-Trapping Studies in California Vineyards

The seasonal abundance of Botryosphaeriaceae spp. spores was studied in California vineyards by using glass microscope slides covered with petroleum jelly placed on grapevine cordons and Burkard volumetric spore traps at seven and two different locations, respectively. Correlation analysis was used to determine which meteorological variables (precipitation, relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed) influenced Botryosphaeriaceae spp. spore release. Among all variables, regression analysis resulted in a strong relationship between spore release and precipitation. Additionally, a positive relationship between irrigation and spore release was also observed in the Riverside County vineyard. During the study period, spore discharge of Botryosphaeriaceae spp. occurred from the first fall rain through the last spring rains, coinciding with September to April. However, based on the results obtained from the spore traps, most spores (over 60%) were trapped following rain events during the winter months of December, January, and February, which coincides with the grapevine pruning season. Botryosphaeriaceae spp. spore release was much lower in fall and early spring (22%) and very few or no spores were trapped in late spring and summer (3%). This work suggests that a delay of pruning time in California may be warranted to reduce grapevine infection because the current timing coincides with the greatest period of spore discharge.

Development of a portable field rainfall simulator for use in hillside vineyard runoff and erosion studies.

An inexpensive, mobile field rainfall simulator and runoff plot frame were developed for use on hillside vineyards. The simulator framework and components were lightweight, readily available and easily manageable such that they can be handled by one person during transport, set–up and operation. The vineyard rainfall simulator was simpler than many of the machines in recent use for similar studies, yet offered equal or improved performance for small-plot studies. The system developed consistent sized 2·58 mm raindrops at intensities ranging from 20 to 90 mm/h. The average distribution uniformity coefficient at an intensity of 60 mm/h was 91·7%, with a deviation of only 2·2%. This coefficient was similar to the range reported for a more complex rotating disk simulator, and was notably greater than that obtained for other similar devices. The system water capacity of 40 l allowed for 1-h storm durations at 60 mm/h, usually sufficient time for commencement of erosion and runoff. The runoff plot frame was designed to be quickly installed, and to discourage sediment deposition in the routing of runoff to collect containers. Copyright

Testing Baits to Control Argentine Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Vineyards

Abstract Liquid baits were evaluated for control of the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and associated mealybug and soft scale pests in California vineyards. In 2003, liquid baits with small doses of imidacloprid, boric acid, or thiamethoxam dissolved in 25% sucrose water resulted in lower ant and mealybug densities and fruit damage, compared with an untreated control. Similar treatments in a soft scale-infested vineyard showed only a reduction of ant density and fruit infestation in only the boric acid and thiamethoxam treatments. In 2004, commercial and noncommercial formulations of liquid baits reduced ant densities in three separate trials, but they had inconsistent effects on mealybug densities and fruit infestation; granular protein bait had no effect. Using large plots and commercial application methodologies, liquid bait deployed in June resulted in lower ant density and fruit infestation, but it had no effect on mealybug density. Across all trials, liquid bait treatments resulted in lower ant density (12 of 14 trials) and fruit damage (11 of 14 sites), presenting the first report of liquid baits applied using commercial methodologies that resulted in a reduction of ants and their associated hemipteran crop damage. For commercialization of liquid baits, we showed that any of the tested insecticides can suppress Argentine ants when properly delivered in the crop system. For imidacloprid, bait dispensers must be protected from sunlight to reduce photodegradation. Results suggest that incomplete ant suppression can suppress mealybug densities. However, after ant populations are suppressed, there may be a longer period before hemipteran populations are effectively suppressed. Therefore, liquid baits should be considered part of a multiseason program rather than a direct, in-season control of hemipteran pest populations.

Reducing the Economic Impact of Grapevine Leafroll Disease in California: Identifying Optimal Disease Management Strategies

Grapevine leafroll disease (GLRD) is a devastating viral disease found across all grapegrowing regions. Vineyard managers have adopted various strategies for managing GLRD, including roguing individual symptomatic vines and replacing them with certified vines derived from clean, virus-tested stocks; applying insecticides targeting mealybug vector populations to reduce disease spread and minimize long-term impacts; and fully replanting vineyards at the onset of disease symptoms. Moreover, some managers elect not to control GLRD at all. We collected survey data from vineyard managers throughout the three major California grapegrowing counties, Napa, Sonoma, and Northern San Joaquin Valley, to estimate the economic impact of GLRD on Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The goal was to identify cost-minimizing management strategies under various disease-prevalence levels, price penalties, timing of disease onset relative to vineyard age, yield losses, and costs of control. Our results estimated that the economic cost of GLRD ranged from

Evaluating the Potential of Well Profiling Technology to Limit Irrigation Water Salinity in California Vineyards

29,902 to

Paso Robles vineyard irrigation study provides benchmark data to assist future area groundwater management

226,405 per ha. Roguing symptomatic vines and replanting with certified vines in combination with insecticides to reduce mealybugs may minimize losses if GLRD prevalence is low (between 5 and 10%), while a full vineyard replacement should be pursued if disease prevalence is higher, generally above 25%, although regional differences were noted. These findings should help vineyard managers in the three regions examined to adopt optimal GLRD management strategies that can be tailored regionally or locally to unique market opportunities, potential market prices, and annual operating costs.

Evaluating the impact of soil management on soil loss in olive orchards

Grape growers in some regions of California are confronting problems with soil salinity. Improving irrigation water quality at the source well offers a potential solution to mitigate soil salinity issues in vineyards. Here, we utilized tracer-pulse technology and chemical analysis to assess flow and constituent contributions at various points throughout the depth profiles of three wells with known salinity problems. At the surface, all three wells had several chemical constituents measuring at concentrations higher than the recommended threshold for grapevines. Theoretical well manipulation effects were calculated to evaluate whether blocking inflow at each layer of each wells depth profile would improve overall water quality at the surface. The profiling technology effectively measured variation in flow and chemical contributions along each profile. As no strong chemical hotspots were detected and the distributions were relatively uniform/symmetric across each of the depth profiles, the theoretical well manipulation offered little improvement in overall well water quality without detrimental effects on volume pumping capacity. For example, in one well a manipulation inserted at 73- to 113-m below ground surface would reduce the overall concentration of several constituents of concern, but would be accompanied by a 41% reduction in well flow. While a well manipulation would have minimal effect for the three wells assessed in this study, this method could be an effective means of improving irrigation water quality for wells with stronger asymmetrical patterns of constituent contributions.

Liquid baits control Argentine ants sustainably in coastal vineyards

Accurate information on irrigation water usage does not exist in many areas where groundwater is the primary water source. This lack of information will hinder efforts to manage these groundwater basins sustainably according to current and future water regulations and policies. Using a low-cost methodology of irrigation-line pressure sensors connected to data loggers, we estimated irrigation applications at 84 vineyard sites in the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin over 4 years (2010–2013). We compared irrigation amounts with the preceding winters rainfall and with the growing season reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Over the study period, the average annual irrigation application was 11.46 inches (291 millimeters). The average annual application correlated inversely to the preceding winters rainfall, while the irrigation over the growing season (April–October) correlated directly with the ETo over this same period. This study provides an initial data framework that can be used by groundwater sustainability agencies to help manage groundwater in the Paso Robles area. The methodology also could be utilized in other regions to estimate regional irrigation usage while maintaining anonymity for participants.