791-039 Vegetables

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Agricultural Production Systems II.

Corequisites

Biology III.

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of the subject is to enable the students to:

• explain the environmental and management factors that determine yield and quality in vegetable crops;
• evaluate current and potential technology pertaining to the vegetable industry, including organic production and long term sustainability;
• describe the major roles that economics and marketing play in determining the commercial success of vegetable production enterprises.

The content includes: The geographic distribution of vegetable production in Australia in relation to particular crops, their climatic, soil, processing and market requirements. The influence of day length, temperature, rainfall/irrigation and frost on the growth, development, yield and quality of vegetable crops as significant factors to be considered in selection of sites for crops. Crop establishment, various tillage practices and strategies, the role of soil amendments, and fertiliser regimes to assist establishment, evaluation of different planting techniques. The coordinated planning of crops within a commercial vegetable production enterprise, crop maintenance, rotations, and alternatives. Strategies for control of pests, weeds and diseases, the biological, economic and management implications. Mechanisation in vegetable crop management including new developments. Harvest and post-harvest operations, influence on quality and efficiency of handling.

Assessment

One two hour examination (60%); assignment of 4,000 words (40%)