What’s the Best Dripline for Fruit Trees or Vineyards?
When it comes to irrigating fruit trees and vineyards, choosing the right dripline system is essential for both crop performance and water efficiency. These crops require deep, consistent watering and precise flow control across long rows — and that’s where the correct type of dripline or dripper makes all the difference.
Why Dripline Is Ideal for Fruit Trees and Vineyards
Dripline irrigation is one of the most effective systems for deep-rooted crops like fruit trees and vines. Instead of saturating the entire soil surface, it delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone, encouraging strong, uniform growth.
- Water efficiency: Reduces waste through evaporation and runoff.
- Soil health: Minimises erosion and compaction between rows.
- Scalability: Suitable for both small orchards and large vineyards.
- Precision: Consistent water output along every line — even across elevation changes.
Recommended Dripline Type
Pressure Compensating (PC) Dripline
For vineyards and fruit tree rows, we recommend using Pressure Compensating (PC) dripline. This ensures each emitter delivers the same flow rate, even when the terrain or pressure varies along the length of the row.
- Ideal for: Sloped or uneven terrain.
- Benefit: Equal water distribution from the first tree to the last.
- Application: Install one or two lines per row, depending on root spread and spacing.
Emitter Spacing and When to Use Button Drippers
Emitter spacing in vineyards and orchards depends on how far apart your plants are. The goal is to match the water delivery pattern to each tree’s root zone.
- Dripline with built-in emitters: Best for closely spaced plants (30–80 cm apart).
- Button drippers: Recommended when plant spacing is 120 cm or more between trees or vines.
Button drippers are installed individually at each plant, ensuring water is applied directly where needed without wasting resources between wide gaps.
Installation Layout for Orchards and Vineyards
- Run mainlines along the top or headland of the block, with drip laterals branching to each row.
- For trees, place one or two drip lines per row, depending on canopy size.
- Use 30–60 cm emitter spacing for close plantings, and button drippers for wide spacing.
- Secure above-ground lines with agricultural hooks to prevent shifting from wind or movement.
By tailoring your emitter choice to your spacing, you’ll ensure every tree or vine receives the right amount of water — with no over-irrigation between plants.
Final Thoughts
Pressure Compensating (PC) dripline is the best choice for most fruit tree and vineyard layouts, providing reliable performance across varying terrain. For plant spacings of 120 cm or more, switch to button drippers for direct, targeted watering.
Where to Find Dripline Irrigation in South Africa
Our Afriq Drip range is proudly manufactured in South Africa, offering reliable, value-for-money irrigation solutions for farms of all sizes.
You can find our dripline rolls and fittings at most agricultural Co-Ops and irrigation suppliers across the country. Stock availability may vary, as we manufacture to order, so please allow 2–3 weeks lead time.
Prefer to buy online? Visit:
www.irrigationonlinesa.co.za
Or contact our distributor to find your nearest retailer:
www.iunlimited.co.za/contact/
