VINIRRIG: A new e-learning teaching vineyard irrigation from theory to practice

Abstract

More and more vineyards across Europe are adopting irrigation, alongside rainfall, to ensure crop sustainability in the context of climate change. However, current training and educational programmes rarely address vineyard irrigation in depth, particularly its practical implementation.

The VINIRRIG project provides a comprehensive and engaging e-learning course on vineyard irrigation, designed for both novice and experienced winegrowers as well as technical advisors. It promotes best practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change while ensuring responsible and efficient use of water resources.

It aims to structure and share European knowledge from experts and experienced users at several levels, from fundamental scientific theories to technical practices and field know-hows. VINIRRIG is the first European 20-hour e-learning course, available in four languages (French, Spanish, Italian, and English), and structured into six modules addressing key questions:

• How can vine water requirements be calculated?

This module covers the fundamentals of irrigation management: vine water needs, soil water availability, climatic influences, and the relationship between water status and grape quality.

• How can the costs of an efficient irrigation system be evaluated?

It presents the main cost components, from system design to maintenance, enabling informed decision-making.

• How should irrigation systems be installed and maintained?

This module provides essential guidance on system design, equipment selection, installation, and maintenance.

• Which tools can be used to monitor irrigation and water quality?

From simple tools such as water meters to advanced plant-based measurements, this module helps users select and use appropriate monitoring solutions.

• What equipment is required for fertigation?

This module introduces key principles to ensure efficient nutrient delivery through irrigation systems.

• How can common mistakes in irrigation and fertigation be avoided?

The final module highlights frequent errors and best practices, consolidating both scientific knowledge and practical experience.

VINIRRIG’s ambition is to make modern and innovative technical knowledge and practical skills readily available to users and advisors to help them design and manage efficient and sustainable irrigation systems in vineyards. VINIRRIG, funded by Erasmus+ agency, will be free and available from September 2026 https://vinirrig.com/.