Course overview
Viticultural Science B follows on from concepts acquired in Viticultural Science A covering the entire life cycle of the cultivated grapevine. Topics covered in this course include; climate change and its impact on viticulture, berry development and harvesting post-veraison, principles behind the establishment of a viticultural enterprise comprising site selection, choice of planting material, the design and establishment of the vineyard and trellising and canopy management.
Course learning outcomes
- Decribe the growth cycle of the grapevine and the biology that underpins different phenological stages.
- Discuss grapevine physiology as it is relevant to growth and vine form, flowering, water use, mineral nutrition, berry development and ripening.
- Describe grapevine anatomy at both the vegetative and reproductive stages.
- Apply techniques to monitor grapevine phenological developmental yield potential, canopy modification (pruning) and variety identification.
- Understand the taxonomy of grapevines and the characteristics of fruiting varieties.
- Employ basic vineyard management practices.
- Identify and develop vineyard sites.
- Understand the processes involved in the planning, conduct and execution of experimental work.
- Describe the role of rootstocks in modern viticultural production.
- Work effectively as part of a team and to communicate their understanding and experimental results both verbally and in written form.