Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

AGRI 112 - Fundamentals of Horticulture


PREREQUISITES: Demonstrated readiness for college-level English; and Demonstrated readiness for QUANT, TECH, or STEM Path Math Ready.
PROGRAM: Agriculture
CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
LECTURE HOURS MIN: 2
LAB HOURS MIN: 2
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Fall, 2020

Examines the biology and technology involved in the production, storage, processing, and marketing of horticultural plants and products. Laboratories include experiments demonstrating both the theoretical and practical aspects of horticultural plant growth and development.

MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:

  1. Identify the internal and external structures of plant cells.
  2. Identify the internal and external structures of plants and their physical development.
  3. Understand basic plant metabolism.
  4. Understand the various ways plants reproduce and propagate.
  5. Understand the mechanisms of inheritance and genetic technologies.
  6. Understand the ecology of plant relationships.
  7. Understand plant classification systems.
  8. Recognize the basic environmental needs of plants.
  9. Recognize signs of plant stress and their causes.
  10. Identify the particular stresses of intense cultivation.
  11. Understand the environmental impact of horticultural activities.
  12. Understand the benefits of using sustainable methods in horticultural practices.
  13. Demonstrate basic laboratory and analysis skills of measuring, data collection, data interpretation, and microscope use.
  14. Be familiar with horticultural economics.


COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include -  

  • Plants in plant classification
  • Plant structure and photosynthesis
  • Plant structure and function - leaves
  • Plant structure and function - stems and roots
  • Plant growth and development
  • Plant growth and development 2
  • Flowers and floral induction
  • Pollination and fertilization
  • Fruits and fruit development
  • Ripening, senescence, abscission and dormancy
  • Plant nutrition
  • Seeds and seed germination
  • Seed germination and seedling establishment
  • Vegetative propagation
  • Light in horticulture
  • Soils and growing media
  • Plant water use
  • Climates and temperature
  • Improvement of horticultural crops
  • Plant breeding and biotechnology
  • Floriculture
  • Plants in the landscape
  • Plants in the landscape 2 and cranberry production
  • Fruit production
  • Vegetable production
  • Organic production
  • Tropical horticulture

Laboratory Topics

Apple ripening study - monitor changes in fruit color, sugar content, starch content, firmness and ethylene levels during ripening of apple fruit. (Fall only)

Effect of root zone volume on plant growth.

Effect of plant growth regulators on plant growth.

Mum production study - determine the effect of photoperiod, removal of apical dominance and disbudding on mum growth and flowering.

Effect of root zone flooding on plant growth.

Plant nutrition experiment - effect of level of essential elements on plant growth and the effect of omitting essential elements on plant growth.

Vegetative propagation of plants.

Plant water use study.

Effect of light intensity on plant growth.

Examination of plant structures (both gross anatomy and a microscopic level) – flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and meristems.

 
GRADING POLICY

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59

 
Course Addendum - Syllabus (Click to expand)