ChileanJAR

Effects of four levels of water application, using class A pan evaporation (EB) as a reference,and three methods of irrigation, were.studied in grapevine, in the Elqui Valley (IV Region). Coefficients used for EB were: 0.2; 0.5; 0.8 and 1.1, and the irrigation methods considered were: drip, sprinkler and furrows. An important deficit of soil water was produced during long periods of time, when the amount of applied water was 0.2 EB, with the three irrigation methods. Water needs of grapevines were satisfied by applying 0.5 EB, with all the irrigation methods, throught the growing season. Drip irrigation used between 50 and 60% less water than the sprinkler and furrows methods; however, similar yields were obtained for equivalent treatments. Water use efficiency was always higher for drip irrigation, with which up to 60 kg ofgrapes/mm of water applied were obtained.