VIT405 Integrated Vineyard Management (8)

This subject builds on concepts and key aspects acquired in earlier viticulture-related subjects. The subject will focus on key areas that should be considered in managing a vineyard such as: the influence of climatic factors on the quality and quantity of grape production; soil management and nutrition; site selection and vineyard design; propagation of grapevines and selection of planting material including hybrids, rootstocks and varieties; pruning, training and trellising; canopy management; irrigation; pest, disease and weed management; managing harvest and vineyard redevelopment.

This subject commences in session 1 and concludes in session 2. Students must enrol in both sessions 1 and 2. It is not possible to commence this subject in session 2.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
Online
Wagga Wagga Campus
Session 2 (60)
Online
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: VIT405. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

Two sessions

School

School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences

Assumed Knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to VIT211 or VIT411 Viticultural Science and PSC215 or PSC416 Plant Physiology

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to evaluate how soil management influences vineyard productivity, including the role of fertilisers and weed management, irrigation principles and systems used in Australian vineyards and water quality;
  • be able to (re-)design a vineyard that will minimise variability and ensure sustainability, including evaluating suitability of varieties, clones and rootstocks for a chosen site, selecting adequate grapevine propagation techniques and managing issues relating to sources and availability of planting material;
  • be able to recognise the different types, and discuss underlying principles, of trellises and training systems, and to describe the different pruning techniques particularly in relation to their function in canopy management;
  • be able to apply principles of biology and epidemiology of grapevine pests and diseases to analyse the role of vineyard management on vine health, and develop an integrated pest and disease management program in vineyards;
  • be able to account for harvesting techniques and procedures, especially with regard to factors affecting grape quality;
  • be able to critically evaluate scientific literature related to vineyard management.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Soils and nutrition
  • Site selection and vineyard design
  • Propagation of grapevines and selection of planting material
  • Hybrids, rootstocks and varieties
  • Training and trellising
  • Pruning
  • Canopy management
  • Principles and practices of irrigation
  • Pest and disease management
  • Harvest and quality

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 1 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component.

Students will gather knowledge about soil, cultivar, climate, management etc of a chosen vineyard to be able to critically assess and evaluate the cultivar growing in the vineyard in terms of soil and climate, canopy management and the wider business perspective, and to be able to determine and justify if the cultivar, site, and climate are well matched and management practises are sustainable. Several short visits to the vineyeard, rather than a single one, may be required.

Special Resources

Students must be able to access a vineyard, preferably commercial, to complete some of the assessments in this subject.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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