250050 Principles of Horticultural Production Physiology

Details
Department of Agricultural Sciences
Earliest Possible YearBSc. 3 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
Course LevelJoint BSc and MSc
The course fits well into the end of the Bachelor study or beginning of the Masters study.
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination and oral examination

Portfolio Examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: Project report and 4 written deliveries from assignments.

Weight: 100 % reports and project presentation



13-point scale, internal examiner
 
Organisation of TeachingThe course is a mix of seminars, lectures and project work. Focus is on the discussion of key literature and the analysis of own project work in relation to literature results.
 
Block PlacementBlock 3
Week Structure: A
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
Areas of Competence the Course Will Address
Competences within basic science:
The students will
. gain in depth knowledge of the biology of horticultural plant species, comprising ornamentals, vegetables, fruit, berries, annuals, perennials and trees.
. expand their understanding of basic plant biology especially on the physiological basis for control of flowering and plant organ development.
. get knowledge on methods in modelling plant growth and development through theory and exercises

Competences within applied sciences:
The students will acquire knowledge of the basis for modern propagation techniques (including mircopropagation) and expand their understanding of hormonal regulation of plant growth and development. An introduction to regulation of plant growth and development by different growing conditions will be included. The students will get an overview of stress biology in relation to horticultural production.

Competences within ethics and values:
None
 
Course Objectives
Through lectures, exercises, seminars and literature study the student will achieve knowledge of the underlying physiological processes involved in formation and growth of the plant organs of interest (flower, leaf, stem, fruit). Theories in whole plant physiology concerning internal transport, hormonal signalling in growth control and adaptation to stresses are discussed and evaluated in relation to actual observations.
 
Course Contents
The principles and physiological mechanisms involved in the following subjects are covered with emphasis on the main horticultural crops:
. Seasonal growth cycles (incl. dormancy)
. Developmental processes such as formation of roots, shoots, buds, flowers, fruits and seeds
. The development of plant organs in relation to possible stresses (cold, nutrient, water, salt) and carbon gain and allocation.
. Hormonal regulation of plant growth and development
. Control of flowering, phytochrome and photoperiodism and its importance for horticultural production
. Competition for resources, carbon balance source-sink relations, adaptations and applied stress biology
. Introduction to growth analysis and modelling tools
The course uses growth analysis and modelling tools to foster the understanding of the complexity of interaction of different factors influencing the growth of plant organs and interactions at the whole plant level.
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
The central part will be seminars in which important key literature will be discussed. Key lectures and practicals will be arranged in conncetion with the different course subjects. A project is included and students will analyse the results in relation to relevant literature.
 
Course Litterature
The course uses the book by Taiz and Zeiger, 2002: Plant Physiology, 3rd edition, Sinauer Associates as background literature, but it is not mandatory to have this book.
 
Course Coordinator
Renate Müller, ren@life.ku.dk, Department of Agricultural Sciences/Crop Science, Phone: 35333534
Margrethe Serek, mse@life.ku.dk, Department of Agricultural Sciences/Crop Science, Phone: 35333406
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
lectures25
Colloquia25
practicals25
preparation95
project work31
Excursions5
examination0

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