The Science of Grapevines: Anatomy and Physiology

The Science of Grapevines: Anatomy and Physiology is an introduction to the physical structure of the grapevine, its various organs, their functions and their interactions with the environment. Beginning with a brief overview of the botanical classification (including an introduction to the concepts of species, cultivars, clones, and rootstocks), plant morphology and anatomy, and growth cycles of grapevines, The Science of Grapevines covers the basic concepts in growth and development, water relations, photosynthesis and respiration, mineral uptake and utilization, and carbon partitioning. These concepts are put to use to understand plant-environment interactions including canopy dynamics, yield formation, and fruit composition, and concludes with an introduction to stress physiology, including water stress (drought and flooding), nutrient deficiency and excess, extreme temperatures (heat and cold), and the impact and response of other organisms. Based on the author's years of teaching grapevine anatomy as well as his research experience with grapevines and practical experience growing grapes, this book provides an important guide to understanding the entire plant.

Chapter 7 is broken into two chapters, now titled Environmental Constraints and Stress Physiology and Living with Other Organisms to better reflect specific concepts.

Integration of new research results includes:

• Latest research on implementing drip irrigation to maximize sugar accumulation within grapes
• Effect of drought stress on grapevine's hydraulic system and options for optimum plant maintenance in drought conditions
• The recently discovered plant hormone – strigolactones – and their contribution to apical dominance that has suddenly outdated dogma on apical dominance control

Chapter summaries have been added, along with key literature references that were missed in the first edition, as well as references to research completed since the first edition's publication.