Customer Reviews

The Science of Grapevines: Anatomy and Physiology

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Especially at this price point, this will be mostly used as a textbook for viticulture students. Previous book focused on one or two regional grape growing strategies and practices, but today an increasingly large number of viticulturists are traveling seasonally to work the southern grapes (Chile, Argentina, Australian, New Zealand, and South Africa) and then the northern grapes (Europe, Canada, and the United States). With this international flow of people, it's natural that the text also covers all of the international variations in grape growing.

The author has worked with grapes worldwide and is currently at the Washington State University. The book is technical, but relatively easy to follow. In addition to coverage of the established scientific aspects of grape growing, there is also coverage of emerging issues such as global warming and water availability as they relate to grapevine growing. Suitable for self-study with a minimal botany (or farm) background.

Book sections:
- Botany and Anatomy
- Phenology and Growth Cycle
- Water Relations and Nutrient Update
- Photosynthesis and Respiration
- Partitioning of Assimilates
- Developmental Physiology
- Environmental Constraints and Stress Physiology
- References
- Internet Resources

A very sound over view of both the anatomy and physiology of the vine, concentrating on the latter. An excellent bibliography. If you are a student of viticulture I recommend this to you as a reference - almost - if not quite - a one stop shop. Comprehensive in its coverage of the physiology (with enough botany and anatomy to form a basis), I thought it well constructed and sensibly lineal in its layout.

There is a degree of technical language - using this term instead of "jargon" - and I believe that interested (if not academic), growers would also find the book of value. It is not simplified in the sense it talks down to readers - it is not a "university tome" full off inexplicable terms.

It's thirty plus years since I was at college and this was an excellent refresher course. If a student was to add Whites book on Soils and Pongracz on vineyard management, they would form a pretty good three volume reference library for practical viticulture. In this context - five stars.

Deep and complicated. Mandatory if you want to understand the science and chemestry behind wine