VIT408 Vine Physiology and Performance (8)

This subject builds on concepts of plant physiology and viticulture acquired in earlier plant biology-related subjects. The subject focuses on the implications of the environment and cultural practices on the field performance of grapevines. Students will examine the key physiological processes involved in grapevine vegetative and reproductive development. Students will also explore grapevine water usage, root functioning, carbohydrate assimilation and utilisation, source and sink organ physiology, and the acquisition and importance of key nutrients. In addition, students will focus on berry metabolism in relation to the accumulation of compounds with particular importance for wine production. Finally, students will investigate the implications of abiotic stresses and phytohormones on grapevine performance.

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: VIT408. 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 VIT406.

Assumed Knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to VIT211, VIT212 or VIT411 Viticultural Science and PSC215 or PSC416 Plant Physiology

Subject Relationships

VIT406 replaced by VIT408

Incompatible Subjects

VIT406

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to analyse the effects of the environment and cultural inputs on the vegetative and reproductive growth processes of grapevines, with respect to vine performance for grape and wine production;
  • be able to evaluate the impacts of climate, water and nutrients on vine growth and development, in relation to vine balance and productivity including the quality and quantity of grape production;
  • be able to explain the process of carbohydrate production, transport and use in the sinks within the vine in relation to vine balance and the production of grapes fit for purpose;
  • be able to relate berry metabolism and fruit composition to environmental factors and cultural inputs, and discuss the synthesis and accumulation of flavour and phenolic compounds;
  • be able to describe the effect of different abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, salinity and frost, as well as the impact of phytohormones, on the developmental processes of grapevines, with respect to vine longevity and productivity;
  • be able to sample and conduct measurements on grapevines and laboratory analyses to compare grapevine physiological responses to various environmental conditions and management inputs; and
  • be able to interpret the scientific literature related to grapevine physiology and performance.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Shoot, bud and leaf development
  • Reproductive development
  • Grapevine water relations
  • Grapevine root anatomy, growth and nutrient uptake
  • Photosynthesis and respiration
  • Carbohydrate utilisation
  • Grapevine source and sink physiology
  • Nitrogen and the grapevine
  • Other nutrients and the grapevine
  • Berry metabolism
  • Abiotic stresses and the grapevine
  • Phytohormones and grapevine performance

Residential School

This subject contains a 3 day Compulsory Residential School.

Students will develop skills in field measurements of shoot and leaf functioning and development, including key parameters related to the leaf photosynthetic capacity as affected by the vine water supply and nutrient status. Students will also gain practical insights into the measurement and interpretation of carbohydrate distribution and utilisation in grapevines in relation to vine balance and the production of grapes fit for purpose. Students will additionally develop skills in assessing the implications of the grapevine source-sink biomass relations on berry composition, including the accumulation of phenolic compounds.

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.

Back