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Production of Horticultural Products III

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Biol1001, Botany

Biol3008, Microbiology

Biol3014, Plant Physiology I

Ekon2130, Theory of Economics

VadZ4079, Customer Relationship Management

Replaced course

LauZ3148 [GLAU3148] Production of Horticultural Products III

Course abstract

The economic and aesthetic importance of the ornamental plants. Classification, characterisation of ornamental plants. Plant propagation methods and growing technologies. Structure of the nursery, organisation of their territory. Biological characteristics, ecological requirements and cultivation methods of herbs, medicinal plants, edible flowers, non-traditional vegetables, cultivated mushrooms. Technological solution of management, risk analysis and evaluation of efficiency. Assortment of plants, basic principles of their selection. Task and content of the greenery project. Design of greening project, basic principles of estimation.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knows the classification of ornamental plants, herbs and medicinal plants, edible flowers, non-traditional vegetables and cultivated mushrooms, methods of propagation, cultivation technologies and production resources – 1st and 3rd tests, practical work;
Is able to apply and analyse information on current issues in the nursery production, as well as to calculate the resources required for the branch, to analyse the efficiency of non-traditional management – 1st and 2nd tests, individual and practical work;

Are competent in theoretical and practical aspects of ornamental plants` cultivation, planting design and installation, are able to assess the market situation and choose the most appropriate specialization in a particular farm / company – 3rd test, individual and practical work.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Characteristics of the plant nursery industry, characteristics of production resources. Classification and characteristics of ornamental plants. 4 h (lectures)
2. Characteristics of ornamental plant propagation methods, peculiarities. Generative and vegetative propagation. 10 h (lectures, laboratory work)
3. Technologies for growing decorative plants, their characteristics, comparison, evaluation. The technological process of growing ornamental plants. Growing types of plants: bare root (growing in the open field), cultivation with a closed root system (container types). 4 h (lectures)
1st test – description of the industry, production resources, plant propagation methods 1 h
4. Types and specialization of nurseries. Structure, organization, equipment of nurseries (mechanization, automatization). 4 h (lectures)
5. Normative acts in the cultivation of ornamental plant. Plant passports. Protection of plant varieties. 1 h (lecture)
6. Characteristics of ornamental plant families, assortment of plants and basic principles of their selection. 6 h (lectures and practical work)
7. Ecological factors - abiotic, edaphic, orographic (relief), their classification and significance in plant growth and development. Care of ornamental plants. 6 h (lectures)
2nd test – ecological factors, growing technologies, structure and organization of nurseries, 1 h
8. Trends of non-traditional management, evaluation of their competitiveness, development opportunities. Production resources. 4 h (lectures)
9. Production and economical significance of herbs and medicinal plants, edible flowers, non-traditional vegetables, cultivated mushrooms. 4 h (lectures and practical work)
10. Costs of growing herbs, medicinal plants, edible flowers and non-traditional vegetables and the calculation of selling price. 4 h (lectures, practical work)
11. Growing technologies and risks of cultivated mushrooms. 3 h (lectures and individual work)
3rd test – herbs, medicinal plants, edible flowers, cultivable mushrooms 1 h

Subjects of independent and practical works:
Analysis of the nursery industry
Plant propagation
Characteristics of ornamental plant families, assortment of plants
Calculation of plant cultivation costs and sales prices
Analysis of the risks of cultivation of non-traditional horticultural crops

Part-time extramural studies:
All the topics intended for full-time studies are covered, yet the number of contact hours is ½ of the specified number of hours.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Oral exam.
The final mark is the average mark of:
- the cumulative score of the three tests
- exam mark.
All individual and practical work should be elaborated, defended and credited.
The tests should be successfully completed
The cumulative score will be obtained if all the requirements are met and the average score is above 6.5. If the average score is below 6.5, students should pass an exam and the score awarded will be the final grade.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Development of independent works according to the given task, using additional materials (scientific literature and other sources of information).
Independent and practical works are developed in groups and presented.
Laboratory work on plant propagation - in groups, according to the given task, the collected results are presented publicly.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Independent work on a specific topic - graded pass/fail
Practical and laboratory work - evaluated with a mark.
Oral exam - is graded

Compulsory reading

1. Container Nursery Production and Business Management Manual (2014). Newman J.P. technical edit., California: University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resourses, 345 p.
2. Mauriņš A., Zvirgzds A. (2006). Dendroloģija. Rīga: LU Apgāds. 448 lpp.
3. Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices (1997). Ed. by Hartman H.T., Kester D.F., Davies F.T. et al. 6th ed. Geneve.-New Yersry. 770 p.
4. Krüssman G. (1997). Die Baumschule. Berlin: Parey Buchverlag. 982 S.
5. Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas through the Production and Exploitation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (2018). Ed. By Bobit D. M., Ciufu M., Ghinea V., Līcīte L. et al. Jelgava: LLU, 255 p.
6. Medicinal and aromatic plants. Agricultural, commercial, ecological, legal, pharmacological and social aspects (2006). R. J. Bogers, L. E. Craker, D. Lange (eds.). 312 p.
7. Žukauska I. Netradicionālā dārzkopība. Studiju materiāls. Jelgava: LLU, 2008. 123 lpp.

Further reading

1. Vaivare M., Lūkina B., Kučere A. (2006). Labas higiēnas prakses vadlīnijas kaltētu garšaugu, tējas un ārstniecības augu pirmapstrādei, pārstrādei un realizācijai bioloģiskajā lauksaimniecībā. Rīga: Latvijas Bioloģiskās lauksaimniecības asociācija. 31 lpp.
2. Lesoe T. (1998). Sēnes. Rokasgrāmata. Rīga: Apgāds Zvaigzne ABC, 304 lpp.
3. Latvijā audzējamu kultūraugu audzēšanas vadlīnijas – stādaudzētavās audzējamie dekoratīvie kokaugi, augļi koki un krūmi (2015). 13.pielikums ZM 12.11.2015. rīkojumam Nr. 167
4. Best Management Practices for climate Friendly Nurseries (2011). Oregon Association of Nureseries, Oregon Environmental Council, Oregon State University, Advantage IQ. 64 p. pieejams: http://www.climatefriendlynurseries.org
5. Gailīte M., Klovāne I. (2018). Siltumnīcas. Rīga: Latvijas Mediji, 226 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

Interneta resursi.
Nozares žurnāli:
Dārzs un drava,
Dārza pasaule,

Landscape architecture.

Notes

Professional bachelor’s study program “Agriculture”, qualification “Agricultural production manager”.