Improving irrigation water penetration in vineyards

Irrigation water infiltration tests were conducted on two typical, slowly permeable vineyard soils on the east side of Fresno County. Furrow water intake was increased by soil applications of gypsum and sulfur and by adding dissolved gypsum in the irrigation water. These soil treatments were only of temporary benefit and gave no improvement in late summer. However, a grass culture or sod treatment, once well established, improved water intake during midsummer and late-summer irrigations.