Grapevine water requirements in different regions of Serbia

Abstract

Grapevine seasonal water requirements and hydromodule of a drip irrigation system were evaluated for different regions of Serbia. Meteorological observations were analyzed at fourteen meteorological stations of the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia for the last 20 years (2000-2019). The observations were used to calculate referent evapotranspiration, effective precipitation and grapevine evapotranspiration. Water deficit during the vegetation (March-September) were estimated as a difference between the sum of the grapevine evapotranspiration and effective precipitation. The largest water deficit occurs in July, which is the month of peak water consumption. The average seasonal water deficit for the grapevine is about 138 mm. Hydromodule of a drip irrigation system in the month of the greatest water needs (July) is in average 0.45 l∙s-1 ∙ha-1 . Aim of this research is to support producers, based on the grapevine water requirements and available soil and water resources, to select appropriate cultivation system, agro- and ampelo-technical measures that will provide high level yield and grape quality.