Department of Agricultural Sciences | |||||||||||||||||
Earliest Possible Year | MSc. 1 year | ||||||||||||||||
Duration | One block | ||||||||||||||||
Credits | 7.5 (ECTS) | ||||||||||||||||
Course Level | Joint BSc and MSc | ||||||||||||||||
Examination | Final Examination written examination and oral examination Portfolio Examination All aids allowed Description of Examination: Evaluation of major report and oral examination in general pensum and the major report. The portfolio also includes 3-4 exercise reports and outprints of powerpoint presentations given by the student at seminars. Weight: 50 % to the major report 20 % performance in other activities (exercises, seminars etc). 30 % oral examination. 13-point scale, external examiner | ||||||||||||||||
Organisation of Teaching | The course is a mix of lectures, seminars, exercises and case work. The students also writes a crop specific report. To excursions to growers are planned. Teaching is placed at the campus in Taastrup. | ||||||||||||||||
Block Placement | Block 1 Week Structure: A | ||||||||||||||||
Teaching Language | English | ||||||||||||||||
Optional Prerequisites | 250039 250030 Plant Ecophysiology The students should have passed the course Applied Horticultural Crop Physiology prior to this course. | ||||||||||||||||
Areas of Competence the Course Will Address | |||||||||||||||||
Basic science: The basic knowledge of biochemistry and plant physiology will be related to an understanding of the physiological and technological basis for production of horticultural crops. Applied science: The students will be trained in the ability - to analyse a crop based on the individual crop specific components. - to understand how and why different growing conditions and techniques are used in the horticultural industry and how it affects plant growth and product quality. - to discuss, analyse and evaluate the production of horticultural crops. Ethics and values: Ability to analyse and reflect on the importance of the choices by the grower and the horticultural industry with regard to methods used to obtain optimal productivity and product quality. | |||||||||||||||||
Course Objectives | |||||||||||||||||
Through crop specific case studies supported by general lectures and seminars the student will achieve an advanced knowledge of the cultivation methods and the production physiology of horticultural crops. The students should get a general knowledge to the broad spectrum of horticultural crop types and a chance to do in depth studies of the production and eco-physiology of a specific crop. The physiological understanding will be applied on the plant and crop level. | |||||||||||||||||
Course Contents | |||||||||||||||||
The focus is on crop specific management of growth and quality with an understanding of the relationships between the growing techniques and the physiological background as a central perspective. Similarities and differences among crop types with regard to growing conditions, importance of yield and quality components are addressed and discussed in relation to the subsequent growing techniques. Emphasis is on temperate fruits, berries, vegetables, pot plants and ornamental crops grown both in open field and greenhouses. The course also uses examples of the genetic variation among cultivars. The reference growing systems are the common commercial systems but elements with relevance for private gardening are also included. In general lectures and case studies the crop specific aspects of the following main topics will be covered: - Control of vigour and shape of plants - Management of fertilisation and irrigation - Effects of biotic/abiotic stresses on growth and plant and product quality - Effects of preharvest factors on internal and external quality - Content and development of secondary and bioactive compounds - Maturation, ripening and harvest assessment. Similarities and differences among species are evaluated with emphasis on species belonging to fruit, vegetables and ornamentals. | |||||||||||||||||
Teaching And Learning Methods | |||||||||||||||||
The main teaching method will be crop case studies supported by lectures and seminars. The case studies will be made in groups, while the individual student is given the opportunity to focus on special interests in a crop specific major report written throughout the course. Parallel to this laboratory exercises based on group or individual work will take place. Excursions will be arranged in connection with the different course subjects. The crop specific major reports are to be presented to the class in a final seminar. | |||||||||||||||||
Course Litterature | |||||||||||||||||
Literature lists will be available at the course responsible departments. | |||||||||||||||||
Course Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||
Torben Bo Toldam-Andersen, tbta@life.ku.dk, Department of Agricultural Sciences/Crop Science, Phone: 35333411 | |||||||||||||||||
Study Board | |||||||||||||||||
Study Committee NSN | |||||||||||||||||
Course Scope | |||||||||||||||||
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