VINE STRUCTURE

1Carla Tosoratti, Università di Udine

Basic Vine Terminology

• Trunk= Main woody structure of vine

• Cordon (Arm)= Horizontal extension of the trunk; bears shoots and canes

• Shoot= Current season’s “stem-like” growth

• Cane= Lignified (woody) shoots of previous years

• Spur= Cane pruned to produce shoots– 1 or 2 buds= renewal spur

– 3-6 buds= fruitful spur

• Root= Plant organ primarily responsible for water and nutrient movement, plant hormone synthesis, and “grounding” of the vine

2Carla Tosoratti, Università di Udine

Basic Terminology #2

• Node= Swollen region of a stem/cane where buds & leaves are attached

• Internode= Region between two nodes• Scion= Shoot region grafted to rootstock • Rootstock= Root region grafted to scion• Suckers= Shoots from base of trunk• Watersprouts= Upright shoots

from trunk or cordon(old or wounded wood)

3Carla Tosoratti, Università di Udine

Roots

Two kinds of roots:

• Leader roots: thicker, stronger- extend intounoccupied soil

• Lateral roots: slimmer - develop from leader root – replaced by new laterals – fundamentalfor absorption of nutrients

Carla Tosoratti, Università di Udine 4

Roots (2)

• Crucial to the plant’s survival

• Anchor the plant

• Provide nutrients to the vine

• Root system needs a terrain accuratelyprepared by vine grower → top soil must beturned over with deep plowing – hard clodsmust be broken up

Carla Tosoratti, Università di Udine 5

Grapevines

They produce:

• Foliage (leaves)

• Grape clusters (or bunches)

• Shoots (mature shoots are called canes)

• Leaves synthesize nutrients for all plant

Carla Tosoratti, Università di Udine 6

Grape clusters (bunches)

• They consist of stems and berries

• They are cylindrical or conical (depending on grape variety)

• A grape usually contains four seeds (pips), richin tannin

• Skin contains anthocyanins, aromas, enzymes, tannins and flavour components

• Pulp contains juice and vascular tissue

Carla Tosoratti, Università di Udine 7