Biology and Genetics of Grapevines
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
To give the specific knowledge of biology and physiology of the vine on the basis of those acquired during the courses of general biology and agronomy and preparatory course of growing techniques in viticulture.
To provide students with some knowledge of both theoretical and practical preparatory course of growing techniques in viticulture and enology.
To provide students with some knowledge of both theoretical and practical preparatory course of growing techniques in viticulture and enology.
Expected learning outcomes
Analytical knowledge of organography, phenology, physiology and ecophysiology of the vine to address basic study of viticulture.
Knowledge about the origin of the grown grapes, methods for their recognition, techniques for improvement of their quality and performance through clonal selection and crossing and how to address the varietal choices depending on soil and climatic conditions.
Knowledge about the origin of the grown grapes, methods for their recognition, techniques for improvement of their quality and performance through clonal selection and crossing and how to address the varietal choices depending on soil and climatic conditions.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Physiology of grapevines
The life cycle and the annual cycle of the vine. Anatomy and morphology of the vine, Physiology of the development of the root system, of the vegetative and reproductive system. Rhythms of growth and activity. The correlative relationships. Physiology of development and fruiting. Differentiation and development of buds. From the differentiation of the buds to the fruit setting of the berries. Ecophysiology The carbon balance: photosynthesis and distribution of photosynthes. The water balance The nutritional balance and nutritional disorders. Physiology of grape development and ripening. The herbaceous phase, the veraison, the ripening curve, the sugar accumulation, the metabolism of acids, the nitrogenous substances, the polyphenols, the aromatic substances.
Ampelography and Genetic Improvement
Lessons: The concept of grapevine. The origin of a grapevine. Phenotype. Phenotype analysis. Ampelography. Ampelometry. OIV cards. Genetic code (DNA and RNA). Flow of genetic information. Mendel's laws. Genetic diversity and molecular markers. SSR and SNP markers. Varietal identification using molecular markers. The concept of homonymy and synonymy (with examples). Pedigree of the main Italian grapevines. Founder grapevine concept. Intra-varietal genetic variability. Clone and biotype concept. Chimera concept (with examples). Examples of intra-varietal variability studies. Strong and weak clonal selection. Clonal selection protocol. Vine rejuvenation (thermotherapy and meristem culture). Propagation of certified material. Negative and positive mass selection. Traditional genetic improvement and improvement based on new genetic modification technologies. Varieties resistant to downy mildew and powdery mildew. Wild grapevine and domestication of grapevine. Genus Vitis and rootstocks.
Lab activities: teaching visit
The life cycle and the annual cycle of the vine. Anatomy and morphology of the vine, Physiology of the development of the root system, of the vegetative and reproductive system. Rhythms of growth and activity. The correlative relationships. Physiology of development and fruiting. Differentiation and development of buds. From the differentiation of the buds to the fruit setting of the berries. Ecophysiology The carbon balance: photosynthesis and distribution of photosynthes. The water balance The nutritional balance and nutritional disorders. Physiology of grape development and ripening. The herbaceous phase, the veraison, the ripening curve, the sugar accumulation, the metabolism of acids, the nitrogenous substances, the polyphenols, the aromatic substances.
Ampelography and Genetic Improvement
Lessons: The concept of grapevine. The origin of a grapevine. Phenotype. Phenotype analysis. Ampelography. Ampelometry. OIV cards. Genetic code (DNA and RNA). Flow of genetic information. Mendel's laws. Genetic diversity and molecular markers. SSR and SNP markers. Varietal identification using molecular markers. The concept of homonymy and synonymy (with examples). Pedigree of the main Italian grapevines. Founder grapevine concept. Intra-varietal genetic variability. Clone and biotype concept. Chimera concept (with examples). Examples of intra-varietal variability studies. Strong and weak clonal selection. Clonal selection protocol. Vine rejuvenation (thermotherapy and meristem culture). Propagation of certified material. Negative and positive mass selection. Traditional genetic improvement and improvement based on new genetic modification technologies. Varieties resistant to downy mildew and powdery mildew. Wild grapevine and domestication of grapevine. Genus Vitis and rootstocks.
Lab activities: teaching visit
Prerequisites for admission
Mandatory prerequisites: Agricultural chemistry and Plant biology
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons. Thematic seminars. Classroom and field exercises. Educational visits.
Teaching Resources
AA.VV. 2007 La vite e il vino. Art Servizi Editoriali, Bologna. pp. 624
The slides of the lessons will be available on Ariel.
The slides of the lessons will be available on Ariel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The learning assessment is an oral exam at the end of the course, and consists of two separate interviews for each course.
For the Physiology of grapevine part, the interview consists of four questions that cover the topics of the entire course. The student must demonstrate that he/she has acquired at least the minimum requirements for all questions.
As regards the part of Ampelography and genetic improvement, during the exam the ampelographic description of a variety chosen by the student is also required.
Evaluation criteria: Knowledge of theoretical and practical contents. Acquisition of specialist terminology relating to the discipline. Adequate level of communication skills.
For the Physiology of grapevine part, the interview consists of four questions that cover the topics of the entire course. The student must demonstrate that he/she has acquired at least the minimum requirements for all questions.
As regards the part of Ampelography and genetic improvement, during the exam the ampelographic description of a variety chosen by the student is also required.
Evaluation criteria: Knowledge of theoretical and practical contents. Acquisition of specialist terminology relating to the discipline. Adequate level of communication skills.
AGR/03 - ARBORICULTURE AND FRUITCULTURE - University credits: 8
Field activity: 16 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Professors:
De Lorenzis Gabriella, Failla Osvaldo
Shifts:
Professor(s)