Course code LauZ6111

Credit points 7.50

Plant Nursery Management

Total Hours in Course200

Number of hours for lectures50

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes30

Independent study hours120

Date of course confirmation25.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Soil and Plant Science

Course developers

author lect.

Irina Sivicka

Mg. agr.

author Augsnes un augu zinātņu institūts

Dace Siliņa

Dr. agr.

Course abstract

Characteristics of the nurseries sector, types of nurseries and specialisation directions. Mechanisation and automatization of nurseries / seedlings production. Guidelines for climate friendly nurseries. Combined scheme for the cultivation of vegetables and herbs. An assortment of plants and the principles of their choice. Green conveyor principle for growing vegetables/herbs. Economic factors in the cultivation of plants. Guidelines for the marketing and management of nurseries / plant production. Business and Labor management.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of the nurseries / plant production sector, types and specialisation, equipment and infrastructure, mechanisation and automation – practical work
Have the capacity to evaluate scientifically based methods of propagating and cultivation technologies for ornamental plants, fruit plants, vegetables and herbs. Understanding the guidelines for climate friendly plant production. Knowledge of the plant assortment and the principles of their choice, laws and regulations of plant production, as well as economic factors – independent work

Knowledge of the risks, business and organisational structure, planning processes and growing trends - report

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Description of the nursery / plant production industry. The main producing countries of seedling/plant cultivation in the world, their activities. Types of nurseries and directions of their specialization.
2. Buildings, equipment and infrastructure required for nursery production. Site selection, layout, structure. Mechanization and automation (from cultivation to packaging and transport of the finished product). Consumption of energy resources in the process of growing seedlings.
3. Production systems – field production (bare root, balled and burlapped plants), container production (types and systems). Vegetable and herb seedling cultivation methods and technologies. Soil characteristics and substrate types, plant propagation types and their analysis, plant growth control.
4. Guidelines of climate frendly nursery / plant cultivation. Combined scheme for growing vegetables and herbs. Efficient use of lighting, microclimate control, watering, fertilizing, recycling and reuse of waste, pest and disease control measures. Impact of invasive pests on the nursery industry.
5. Assortment of plants and principles of their selection. The principle of green conveyor belt in vegetable nurseries. Laws and regulations in the cultivation of seedlings/plants. Quality requirements for plant. Plant passports. Copyright, breeder's right, plant variety protection.
6. Economic factors in seedling / plant cultivation. Business management basics. Business structure, organizational structure, planning process (SWOT analysis, action plan, financial and budgeting plan). Cost analysis of seedlings / plants. Risk management (production, finance, price, institutional, human resources). Marketing considerations (buyers, demand, trends, product orientation, pricing factors, communication and advertising, etc.)

7. Labor productivity and promotion, employee selection, evaluation and stimulation, conflict resolution, employee discipline.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Oral exam.
The exam grade is averaged out of:
- arithmetic mean of independent and practical work (50%)

- pre-written presentations (50%)

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Practical work about organization of nursery / plant production.
Independent studies of literature and other sources of information on the characteristics of the nursery industry and the laws and regulations - submitted summary.
Independent studies of scientific literature to prepare a report. Report on the topic asked (list of topics given at the beginning of the lesson).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Practical work – evaluated with a mark.
Independent work on a specific topic – evaluated with a mark.
The grade (mark) of the report consists of content organization, presentation skills, use of professional terminology, answers to questions, adherence to time, quality of visual materials, use of references.

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. 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.

Further reading

1. Lavijā audzējamu kultūraugu audzēšanas vadlīnijas – stādaudzētavās audzējamie dekoratīvie kokaugi, augļi koki un krūmi (2015). 13.pielikums ZM 12.11.2015. rīkojumam Nr. 167
2. 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

3. Gailīte M., Klovāne I. (2018). Siltumnīcas. Rīga: Latvijas Mediji, 226 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

Interneta resursi
Šķirņu katalogi

Elektroniskie žurnāli

Notes

“Agriculture”, master level