Model Predictive Control of Stem Water Potential in Grapevines: A Simulation Study

Vines for wine production are commonly cultivated under regulated deficit irrigation, i.e. the vines (Vitis vinifera) are maintained in a state of mild-sever, controlled drought stress in order to enhance the quality of the yield and the wine. The plant water status can be estimated via measurements of the Stem Water Potential (SWP) using Scholander pressure chamber. The objective of the present work was to demonstrate the application of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for managing grapevine irrigation via midday Stem Water Potential at two levels: (1) MPC was used to determine SWP reference values for the whole season, and (2) MPC was used to estimate twice a week the irrigation required to achieve the desired SWP.