Grapevine systematics. Vine botany: morphology, anatomy and organization of the vegetative organs (skeleton, crown, root system) and reproductive organs of the vine (buds, flowers, bunches). Ampelographic characters, phenotypic and genetic variability. The morphological descriptors OIV.
Vegetative-productive cycle of the vine in relation to the life cycle of the plant (juvenile phase, vegetative phase, maturity phase, senescent phase) and the seasonal growth cycle. Phenological phases of the vine and classification criteria.
Introduction to vine physiology. Root development model and growth control factors of the root system. Sprout and female development model: vegetative growth control factors. The maturation of wood and implications for the management of the vineyard. The hormonal system of the plant: categories of hormones and their implication in the control of vegetative growth.
Flower biology of the vine. The types of infertility. Parthenocarpia and stenospermocarpia. Fruit set. Grape development model and growth control factors. Ripening phase: physical and biochemical changes affecting the berry. Maturation curves and monitoring of quality and / or collection indices. Integrated factors for determining the quality of the grapes. Maturation control in plant and post - harvest. Categories of hormones implicated in the control of the growth of the grape and in the maturation.
Source - sink relationships, carbohydrate production and allocation, relationships between vegetative and reproductive activity; establishment and annual use of reserves.
Environmental control of growth and development. Definition of the concept of environmental suitability. Elements of eco - physiology and viticulture ecology. Role of light in vine growth and development, photosynthetic productivity in the vine and exogenous and endogenous control factors.
Role of temperature in the growth and development of the vine: low temperatures, high temperatures, temperature changes, freezing temperatures. Genotype - environment relationship in relation to the current ampelographic framework. Viticulture and climate change.
The edaphic environment: plant-soil relationship. Edaphic factors limiting plant growth. Cultivar interaction - rootstock for soil adaptation. The importance of soil lying.
Viticulture and safeguarding of environmental resources: soil fertility, atmosphere quality. The vineyard as an agro-ecosystem. The systemic meaning of environmental sustainability in viticulture. The concept of multifunctionality of viticulture: the ecosystem services offered. Viticulture and biodiversity. Diversity, structure and functionality of the wine-growing landscape.
Physiological bases of viticulture techniques.

Teaching materials by the lecturer
Manuale di Viticoltura – di A. Palliotti, S. Poni, O.Silvestroni (2018) – New Business Media, Edagricole
Avversità non parassitarie della vite e cambiamento climatico – di A. Palliotti, S. Poni, O.Silvestroni (2019) - New Business Media, Edagricole