Floriculture & Nursery Production Management

Course Structure

1. [\'This course will focus on the macro- and micronutrient elements and their function in the growth and development of plants. Emphasis will be placed on the uptake and transport of mineral elements from the soil into and throughout the plant, the role of single elements, interactions/balances between elements, and nutrient deficiency/toxicity symptoms as they affect the physiology of the whole plant.\', \'Presents fundamental concepts underlying the science of crop physiology, including crop phenology, canopy development and light interception, photosynthesis and respiration, and dry-matter partitioning.\', \'The principles and commercial practices for producing floral potted crops and cut flowers, emphasizing the physical responses of plants to their environment. Aspects of post-harvest physiology will be covered.\', \'Principles and practices of commercial production of greenhouse crops involving crop scheduling, greenhouse construction, heating, cooling, growing media, pest management, nutrition, fertility, growth regulation, irrigation, post-harvest handling, and marketing of greenhouse crops.\', \'Cultural nursery crop production practices will be presented with consideration of current recommended Best Management Practices, conservation of resources, scientific research-based investigations related to nursery cultural practices, potential risks to nursery personnel and off-site movement of airborne materials and effluents to surrounding areas and public watersheds.\', \'Examines seed morphology, anatomy and chemistry. A study of the germination, emergence, and dormancy processes in seed, in addition to various quality aspects, including vigor, longevity, and deterioration. Genetically engineered seeds and other hot topics in seed science will also be included.\', "Course focuses on the physiological principles and industry practices in the production, moving, care, and maintenance of interior plants. This course will equip students with the career tools to design, install and maintain interior plantscapes. This goal will be accomplished through the review of the pertinent literature and through class exercises designed to improve students\' skills and knowledge of interior plant physiology, care and maintenance.", \'Physiology of plant responses to environmental stresses, with emphasis on current research in selected physiological, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms for tolerance to environmental stresses such as temperature extremes, drought, salt, pathogens and other plants.\', \'Students will research a specific agricultural enterprise, then develop and present a business plan using materials from the primary area of interest. Requires the completion of a shadowing assignment and the analyses of case studies.\', \'This course focuses on identification, biology, ecology and management of insect pests of horticultural crops, including vegetables, deciduous fruits and nuts, trees and shrubs, greenhouse crops, turf and ornamentals. Emphasis is on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies employed to maintain pests below damaging levels while minimizing the use of traditional insecticides.\', \'Principles embodied in the implementation of multifaceted tactics designed to successfully manage insect populations.\', \'Principles and practices of using natural enemies and antagonists to manage pests--invertebrates, pathogens and weeds--and reduce economic losses.\', \'Principles of toxicology, insecticide classification, mode of action, metabolism and consequences of insecticide use.\', \'In Pesticide Resistance Management we teach the history, mechanisms and ramifications of pesticide resistance among insects, weeds, and plant diseases; the role of population genetics and gene dominance in predicting the spread of resistance; best management practices to prevent pesticide resistance from occurring; contrasts and similarities among management strategies to prevent resistance among the three types of organisms; understanding pesticide resistance models and their components.\', \'Theory and principles underlying the development and importance of plant resistance in an integrated management program, including environmental impacts, inheritance of resistance and strategies for selecting insect resistance.\', \'Survey of the principles and practices of plant pathology. The main and genetic elements involved in plant disease will be covered. Many of the major diseases, as well as their causes and effects, will be surveyed.\']