AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS
Department of Food 
Science & Human Nutrition

General Viticulture

Content

i. Introduction
Origin of the vine – Viticulture in the Greek antiquity-The contribution of the vine to the aesthetics of the rural landscape and the protection of the environment - Viticulture in Greece and the world - Productive grapevine varieties - Cultivated areas and production of viticultural products - Viticultural products - Problems and perspectives of the Greek vineyard.
ii. Morphology and anatomy of the vine
Root-Shoot-Leaves-Helixes-Inflorescence-Flower-Bunch-Berry-Seed (Origin - Distinction - Role-Morphology-Anatomy) Grapevine buds - Shoot buds - Apical bud - Side buds-Cane buds (Anatomy-Fertility-Distinction and evaluation of latent vine buds)
iii. Annual vegetation cycle
Introduction - Grapevine budbreak (Phenology-Break of the latent buds of the vine-Break of the lateral and latent buds of the shoot) - Shoot Growth - Differentiation of the shoots - Leaf fall.
iv. Vineyard management
Soil cultivation - Weed control - Fertilization - Irrigation - Harvest - Harvesting methods.
v. Pruning of the vine
Introduction-Pruning and training systems of the vines-Physical characteristics of the canopy.
Training systems and Selection Criteria-Methodology and techniques of training in the various systems- Fruit pruning-Effect of pruning on the budbreak and fruiting of the vines- Guidance and pruning principles - Fruit pruning systems and selection criteria - Season of execution of winter fruiting pruning-Training and trellis systems and fruiting pruning of the Greek vineyard.

Learning results

The objective of the course is to introduce students to the basic functions of the grape vine and their
morphological and physiological basis, to the basic cultivation techniques which are used in a productive vineyard, as well as to the importance of the cultivation of the vine for the crop production.

The course aims to introduce students to the methodology used both in the installation and management of a modern productive vineyard, as well as to the viticultural techniques regarding the training, fruiting and the annual vegetation cycle of the vines.

Upon the successful completion of the course (theory and laboratory part of the course), students will have (Descriptive indicators for Level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning):

  • Understood the morphology and anatomy of the various organs of the vine and their utilization in productive viticulture.
  • Understood the annual vegetation cycle, the phenological stages and their physiological basis.
  • Understood how a vineyard can be managed.
  • Understood the importance of pruning, training and fruiting of the vines and their utilization in the viticultural practice.

Bibliography

- Suggested bibliography:
Μ.Ν.Stavrakakis Viticulture, 2019, Embryo Publications.

- Related scientific journals:
Vitis, American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, Scientia Horticulturae

NEWSLETTER

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (renamed Department of Food Science and Technology, Decree 80/27/5/13, Government Gazette A119 28/5/13) offers its students the scientific background for a rational approach to scientific and technological issues related to the food sector.
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