A new smartphone app that allows grapegrowers to measure water status of their grapevines is being trialled in Australia.

It is expected that the viticultural app will allow grapegrowers to improve water management decisions.

Images of grapevines taken through a thermal camera attached to their smartphone will be analysed by the app to calculate vine water status.

"Water and associated pumping costs can be a significant component of the production costs for grapegrowers."

Approximately 15 vineyards in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania will trial the technology during the remaining growing season.

The 18-month trial project is funded by Wine Australia, while the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) will jointly manage the project.

SARDI acting executive director Kathy Ophel-Keller said: "Water and associated pumping costs can be a significant component of the production costs for grapegrowers.

"Uncontrolled water stress has the potential to reduce the yield and quality of grapes and the resulting wine, which in turn reduces the return to growers.

"This new app offers grapegrowers instant feedback on the water status of their vines, and provides them with the flexibility to assess multiple blocks or sections of blocks, and to make irrigation decisions in real-time."

The project aims to assess a range of smartphone-based sensing systems to design a cheap, easy-to-use vine water status monitoring app for grapegrowers.

Initial trial results indicated that the thermal camera was easy to use and provides accurate information. The final version of the app is expected to be released later this year.

Image: New smartphone app to test water status of grapevines. Photo: courtesy of Wine Australia.