Physiology and Development of Plants in Horticulture

Protected horticulture depends on modifying the physical environment of an enclosed space so as to improve the growth and quality of plants. The course comprises plant physiology and developmental biology described in relation to the production of plants, cut flowers, and fruits under protected cultivation. The physiological content emphasizes plant responses to the environment, such as photosynthesis and temperature stress. The developmental content deals with plant propagation techniques, flower induction, development, and plant morphological control.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Explain the foundations of vegetative propagation, the role of developmental processes in vegetative propagation and their application in practice;
• Explain and apply the basic principles of light in photosynthesis in controlled greenhouse production;
• Summarize the physiology of development in plants and explain how this can be used in the control and manipulation of protected systems;
• Use knowledge about the physiology of photosynthetic gas exchange (CO2 fixation and water evaporation) to explain control of photosynthesis by environmental management of the glasshouse;
• Summarize the principles of plant development and flowering and outline practical applications in production control using these principles;
• Recognize the role of temperature in controlled environment production
• Summarise the physiology of periodic developmental phenomena in plants and explain how this can be used in control and manipulation in protected systems
• Explain the consequences of the presence of periodic phenomena in control of production
• Explain the foundations of vegetative propagation, the role of developmental processes in vegetative propagation and their application in practice
• Explain the principles and practice of micro-propagation

Mandatory Knowledge:
ZSS06100 Laboratory Safety
Assumed Knowledge:
HPP22803