VIT212 Viticultural Science (8)

This subject examines the management of grapevines with respect to how this influences grape and wine production. Students will examine the key principles underpinning vine performance and balance, and viticultural factors that dictate grape and wine composition. Students will also develop skills in vineyard management, such as pruning, yield estimations, prediction of grape berry maturity and pest and disease identification.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Year-long Period 1 (31)
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: VIT212. 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

One session

School

School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

 Not available to students who have successfully completed VIT211.

Assumed Knowledge

WSC111 and ( PSC102 or PSC103 or AGR130)

Subject Relationships

VIT211 replaced by VIT212

Incompatible Subjects

VIT201, VIT211

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to describe grapevine growth and physiological basis of vine growth and fruit production;
  • be able to describe the composition of grape berries in relation to abiotic and biotic environmental factors and viticultural practices;
  • be able to describe the interrelationships between grape berry composition, viticultural conditions and wine produced;
  • be able to describe the basis of vineyard management with respect to irrigation, pruning practices, nutrient availability and pest and disease management; and
  • be able to perform basic grapevine management techniques.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Ampelography and grapevine taxonomy;
  • Pruning training and grapevine canopy management;
  • Pests and diseases of the grapevine;
  • The processes involved in flowering, fruiting and berry development in grapevines; and
  • The impact of climate, soil and water availability on grapevine function.

Residential School

This subject contains a 3 day Compulsory Residential School.

The residential school will give students experience in the practical and theoretical aspects of grapevine growth and performance. Students will conduct practical exercises including spur- and cane-pruning of grapevines, and dissection of grapevine buds (a necessary skill to predict vineyard yield). Students will also be provided with real-life exhibits of vine tissues so as to examine the anatomy and structure of the vine, and practice the identification of pests and diseases.

Special Resources

Students attending compulsory residential schools on Charles Sturt campuses will incur costs associated with travel, accommodation and required resources (minimum: lab coat, safety glasses and covered footwear for lab-based practicals).

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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