One example of reduction of water requirements on BD land is the case study on Barry Slaters vineyard at Mudgee in 2001.
The proposed area for the trial was 25 acres, however because stirring of the 500 and 501 was being done by hand and each grape vine trunk was tree pasted the total area was not done.
Rainfall was down by something like 50% with very high rates of transpiration because of the above normal temperatures and constant winds throughout the growing season.
The BD treated area had 3 waterings through the season and produced grapes considered to be pretty close to grade A. Grade A is a mythical standard set by viticulturists and wine makers in the area. the yield was above the district average.
The untreated area needed something like 30 waterings, and did not produce even a break even crop. The 3 acres not treated was on the frontage to a busy road, where everyone who went past only saw the untreated area. it was quite a surprise to everyone when Barry opened the property to show what he had been doing. Cheryl should be able to tell you more about this as it would probably have been discussed at the Mudgee Grape Growers Group which she was going to be one of the speakers. Maybe she can write a report on what she saw there.
The only way that you can balance the equation with water use is inputs / outputs = profits. In this case the trial proved profitable.
James hedley
Gil Robertson wrote:
On irrigated land in temperate Oz, the reduction should be of the order of five sixths to nine tenths. This includes the water holding capacity of the increased soil carbon and the reduction of use by the healthy plants. On otherwise traditional, irrigated, vineyards should only require one to two watering a year, after full conversion to BD.
Gil
Hamish Mackay wrote:
Can anyone give me some hard data on reduction of water requirements on Biodynamic land?would be appreciatedayeHamish Mackay
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