Growers know new buds are extremely vulnerable to early season frosts. Protecting bud and shoot growth is a high priority, one that can cost thousands of dollars, sometimes with ineffective results. But crop loss is only one consideration. There is also loss of a vintage year, and the possible loss of production and reputation. That's why growers need all the protection they can get.

Vineyard Frost Protection at Drip Flow Rates
The PULSATOR, part of the Wade Rain family of irrigation products, is the most innovative irrigation and frost protection tool in a generation. Its low flow rate makes it the ideal choice for frost protection in vineyards with drip irrigation. For new installations, the PULSATOR's unique features make it the logical choice for both irrigation and frost protection.

PULSATOR Features Frost protection tested to below 26° F. Water savings - uses only 12-15 GPM per acre. Utilizes existing drip hydraulic system. No separate mains, valves or pumping system required. Direct conversion of existing drip system mains and submains possible. Water applied continuously to vines, not at 30-45 second intervals as with permenant sprinklers. Reduces soil saturation and run-off. Allows access to field for equipment Easy installation, variety of mounting options. Unique Y-mount allows for irrigation of cover crops between rows. Ideal for IPM programs.

Field Tested, Laboratory Proven
Field and laboratory tests conducted by the Viticulture and Enology Research Center and the Center for Irrigation Technology at California State University, Fresno, have shown that Wade Rain's innovative PULSATOR can provide significant frost protection with a minimum of water usage. The low flow rate is directed at a narrow strip extending up to 18 feet along the row. This "targeted" water discharge allows the grower to apply water only where it is needed, along the cane row, with water savings of up to 75% when compared to overhead impact sprinklers

Effective Frost Protection
The Wade Rain PULSATOR is ideally configured to provide frost protection for vineyards. Using no more water than normally supplied to a typical drip irrigated vineyard (1 GPH/vine), most drip irrigation systems provide sufficient water per acre to supply a PULSATOR Frost Protection System. Because the water is concentrated in a narrow band over the cane row, application rates equivalent to a conventional overhead frost protection sprinkler system are obtained while enjoying tremendous water savings. The costs of large reservoirs, pumping plants, additional mainlines, laterals, risers and impact sprinklers are eliminated.

Effect to 26° - And Below
Recent controlled testing at CIT has shown the PULSATOR to provide effective frost protection at temperatures to 26° F and below. Tests were conducted in a refrigerated compartment monitored by CIT/Viticulture and Enology Research Center at Fresno State University. Testing was to determine the effectiveness of a pulsated micro-sprayer under freezing conditions, and to determine if low application rates (11-16 GPM per acre) are a viable alternative to conventional overhead sprinkler irrigation frost protection.

Five grape vines with emerging buds were cut from a vineyard and installed in the chamber on a trellis system at seven foot spacing. The frost protection system consisted of drip tubing mounted on the lower wire with a 2.4 GPH PULSATOR placed on a stake approximately 26 inches above the cordon.

Water was supplied from a small reservoir placed inside the refrigeration unit. It was pressurized to 37 PSI and delivered to the supply line. Two PULSATORs, with 20 PSI diaphragms, were mounted 14 feet apart above the vines. The PULSATORs were fitted with splash plates to direct the water in a narrow band longitudinally along the grapevine. The tests were conducted by starting the PULSATOR system when the ambient temperature in the chamber had reached 35 degrees Fahrenheit.