207-208 Production of Cultivated Plants

207-211 Plant Propagation

The objective of this subject is to extend the participant's knowledge of a range of nursery production systems for cultivated crops through a combination of lecture material, nursery-based practical activities and site visits. Students will participate in the development of production schedules and the manipulation of crop growth using physical and chemical means.

Alternative nursery irrigation systems will be demonstrated along with methods of collecting and treating leachate run-off for reuse. Nutritional requirements of nursery crops will be described and the use of nutrition as a crop management tool will be investigated. Students will examine current technologies for the manipulation of the physical growing environment and understand the effect of this on crop scheduling and plant growth. The development and introduction of novel nursery crops are also described. Students will gain an appreciation that maintaining plant quality throughout the production cycle is intimately linked to establishment and performance of those crops in the landscape.

All articles of assessment are compulsory. Assignment and practical reports submitted during the semester - equivalent to 4000 words (60%). A 2-hour end of semester examination (40%).