VIT-105 Spring Viticultural Practices
This course is designed to introduce students to current techniques used while managing a commercial vineyard. Students completing this class will understand how to maintain appropriate vigor and productivity of a vineyard once it is established. Topics covered include: site analysis; varietal selection; trellising methods; nutrient needs of vines; diseases and insect pests of grapevines; crop regulation; breeding; grafting; vineyard floor management; and harvest determinations. A significant portion of the class will be dedicated to pruning. Viticulture safety issues will be addressed.
For more detailed course information view the
Course Outline
Department
Environmental Conservation and Horticulture
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to current techniques used while managing a commercial vineyard. Students completing this class will understand how to maintain appropriate vigor and productivity of a vineyard once it is established. Topics covered include: site analysis; varietal selection; trellising methods; nutrient needs of vines; diseases and insect pests of grapevines; crop regulation; breeding; grafting; vineyard floor management; and harvest determinations. A significant portion of the class will be dedicated to pruning. Viticulture safety issues will be addressed.
Credit Hours
3Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered
Spring
Course Learning Outcomes
- Differentiate grapevine parts and phenological growth stages.
- Differentiate between major training and trellising techniques, while explaining characteristics that result in selecting appropriate training and trellising systems.
- Describe grapevine breeding and/or propagation techniques.
- Interpret grapevine needs while balance pruning.
Topic Outline
- 1. Anatomy and Growth Cycle
- a. Grapevine structure
- b. Phenology
- 2. Tractor Driving Safety Training
- a. PTO safety
- b. Pre-operational checks
- c. Driving the tractor
- 3. Cultivars of Grapevine
- a. Natives
- b. Hybrids
- c. Vinifera
- 4. Training Systems
- a. Upright systems
- b. Downward growth systems
- 5. Pruning
- a. Balance pruning
- 6. Grapevine Nutrition
- a. Needs
- b. Deficiencies
- 7. Grapevine Diseases
- a. Viruses
- b. Fungi and mildews
- c. Bacteria
- 8. Insect Pests of Grapevines
- a. Dormant
- b. Early season
- c. Late season
- 9. Grapevine Breeding
- a. Phenotypical differences between grapevines
- b. Genological differences between grapevines
- 10. Grapevine Nurseries
- a. Propagation
- b. Grafting
- 11. Vineyard Floor
- a. Row middles
- b. Under vine
- 12. Vineyard Trellis
- a. Construction
- b. Maintenance
- 13. Vineyard Establishment
- a. Site prep
- b. Year 0–5
- 14. Harvest Determination
- a. Phonological ripeness vs. harvest decision