Hydrosmart and Viticulture

 
   

HYDROSMART is having a significant impact within the viticulture industry and continues to provide solutions to vineyards that experience an array of problems as a direct result of the available water supply being less than ideal. Hydrosmart allows vineyards to utilise water supplies previously considered unsuitable greatly increasing viability and longevity in current and ever changing climate conditions. Hydrosmart is leading the way to provide the viticulture industry and many others a cost effective water treatment alternative which is completely sustainable, chemical free and environmentally friendly.

Healthy Plants in High Salinity Water

Research into overcoming chloride attack discovered that one of the main protagonists for the corrosive process happens to be sodium chloride, the same chemical compound that causes salinity issues. By targeting this compound to solve the corrosion problem, Hydrosmart technology has accidentally provided a solution to salinity.
Hydrosmart has consistently proved its ability to grow a wide range of healthy plants in water with salinity levels that are normally considered toxic. Because of the potential threat to sustainable agriculture, salinity issues have the highest profile at the present time and certainly attract the highest level of funding for scientific research.
The good news for the growers is that Hydrosmart technology has been resolving salinity issues in a very cost effective way, for commercial growers in a variety of soil types and salinity levels, for many years. All the evidence suggests that the process is not only effective but sustainable as the salinity levels in the soil under the drippers appears to be decreasing significantly year by year and the plants are not only viable, but reported to be the best crops ever harvested by vineyards both in terms of grape quality and tonnage.

   
   

Maintaining Irrigation Systems

Hydrosmart's computer generated resonance frequencies provide chemical free de-scaling and scale prevention. It does this by changing large, reactive mineral crystals into tiny non-reactive particles, effectively preventing scale from forming. The resonance frequencies remain active in water for several days and progressively break down any already existing scale or bio-films. The first bonds to be broken are those between the pipe work and the scale, which can sometimes break off in lumps and flow towards the end of the irrigation system, making it important to flush out the broken down scale during the first few weeks of the de-scaling process. Other more conventional treatments require the use of acid which can end up in the soil, with Hydrosmart there are no potentially harmful additions to the soil.
After being treated with Hydrosmart, minerals remain in the flow as a non bonding particle that will pass through any dripper, filter or spray nozzle bigger than 4 microns and become a bio-available plant nutrient.
Treating an irrigation system with Hydrosmart can provide considerable savings in maintenance costs relating to labour and associated consumables as well as ensuring even irrigation to individual blocks and rows.

Enhanced Plant Growth & Reduced Growing Problems

Significant improvements in plant growth and a reduction in growing problems have been observed, whenever Hydrosmart is used to treat irrigation systems. Essential minerals in the water such as calcium, magnesium and potassium which are essential for healthy plant growth are now small enough to be easily absorbed into the plant. The tiny calcium particles are easily transported throughout the plant, eliminating growing problems, whilst significantly improving fresh weight, taste, colour and shelf life. The efficient transpiration within the plants causes the sugars to be mobilized at optimum levels and there is an increase in the plant's resistance to disease and insect damage. Many vineyards using Hydrosmart treatment to de-scale irrigation equipment, are reporting significant increases in Baume levels allowing the fruit to be picked on the full with greater harvest tonnages.

Tank Cleaning / Tartrate Build Up

   
   

Recent trials at the d'Arenberg winery on a large horizontal concrete lined tank proved Hydrosmart's ability to remove tartrate from the tank walls. The water being used was bore water treated with a portable Hydrosmart system connected in line with the pump. A portable ozone unit was also connected in line as a back up to act as a tank disinfection system. The ozone unit had to be regulated back to ΒΌ of its normal output as the Hydrosmart treatment greatly increased the ozone production. It later transpired that Ozone does not normally work with bore water.

The tartrate crystal removal in the 35-minute trial was considered a success by the winery. There was some coloration remaining on parts of the tank that were not in the full force of the spray ball. This was easily wiped off with a finger and in the opinion the winery tank cleaning team, could be easily overcome by using a better washing nozzle than the one we were using.

Hydrosmart Viticulture Customers Include

 
 
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