Page 51 - Grapevine July-August 2019
P. 51
Around The Vineyard
Priming Your Irrigation
Systems for the Season (Part 2)
By: Tracey L. Kelley
I n the May-June issue of The Grapevine punctures caused by machinery, which happens to
vines, too.
Magazine, a savvy group of experts provided
detailed information about irrigation system
maintenance. That article outlined seasonal start- “There might also be stuck plungers in the sole-
up and troubleshooting tips. For part two of this noids,” he said. “Pull coils and plungers. If the coils
topic, we’ll move on to ongoing system checks, typ- are swollen, replace them. Use emery cloth on
ical problems often overlooked, monitoring water plungers if they’re only slightly rusted.”
flow and quality and critter control.
Once again, our experts are: If you’ve noticed a torn or deformed diaphragm,
Hewitt said, sometimes simply turning it around
• Guy Fipps, Ph.D., P.E., professor and extension works, depending on the valve type, or replacing it.
specialist of irrigation and water management at “Same with any springs located in the bonnet of a
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; in valve. Springs and diaphragms wear out or devel-
collaboration with Charles Swanson, extension op a new ‘memory,’ especially pressure-reducing
program specialist, Texas A&M University. valves that are always partially open throughout
irrigation season,” he said.
• Jacob Hernandez, CCA, owner, JH Ag Consulting,
Santa Margarita, California; in collaboration For growers with low-volume micro sprinklers,
with James Anshutz, AGH20, irrigation engineer which are similar to drip emitters, Hewitt advised
with Netafim USA in Fresno, California; and the clearing nozzles of debris and “checking that any
Cal Poly SLO Irrigation Training and Resource fixed spray plates or rotating spinners are provid-
Center, San Luis Obispo, California. ing the correct patterns, distance of throw, and
uniform coverage.” LFS and LFX high-performance
• Mark Hewitt, district sales manager, Rain Bird sprinklers often don’t require much maintenance,
Corporation Ag Products Division, in Azusa, he said, but it’s still important to check periodically
California. for proper rotation, nozzle clogs and “insects build-
ing in deflectors.”
• Steve Purvins, owner, The Vineyard at Lawton
Hall in Bushwood, Maryland, which produces Hernandez offered a reminder about flushing
Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin grapes. mainlines, submains and laterals. “This isn’t done
enough by growers. Most growers flush once or
Checks and Balances twice a year—either at the beginning or end of
the season,” he said. “In-season flushing should be
Continual process management is the key to a done after fertigation events with thick materials.
fine-tuned irrigation system. During the rush of Flushing velocities should be greater than two fps.
season preparation, however, some aspects might Have your irrigation professional develop a proper
inadvertently go by the wayside. flushing routine.”
Hewitt pointed out numerous required fixes this What is lurking in your system? “The moist, dark
time of year. For example, field zone valves might interiors of drip hoses and emission devices can be
have broken or damaged wires because of ani- ideal environments for biological slimes and chem-
mals, or as a result of “tractor blight”—nicks and ical precipitates to form,” Hernandez said. “Various
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