Plant Production and Culture

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject provides introductory training in plant production and culture for the horticultural industry. Lectures and practical exercises cover various plant production methodologies in the Burnley Field Station and Nursery. Students are provided with their own vegetable plot which they establish and maintain throughout the semester.

Upon completion of this subject students should be able to:

• search the professional literature and develop good report writing skills based on the collation of scientific information;
• demonstrate an understanding of plant production systems and their application;
• demonstrate an understanding of plant propagation methods and correct plant propagation protocols;
• differentiate between various groups of plants grown by the nursery industry including annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees;
• understand the historic and contemporary production context and use in the landscape of various plant types:
• understand nursery availability of life forms and plant types and their basic cultural requirements, from weed management through to nutrition regimes; and
• understand health and safety issues as they relate to practical use of hand tools in garden/field settings and in the nursery environment

1 hour examination (30%) mid semester, 1 hour final examination (30%) practical diary and report of 2000 words (40%) end of semester.

Growing media for ornamental plants and turf (K Handreck & N Black), 3rd edn, NSW University Press, Kensington, 2002

Hartmann and Kester's Plant Propagation: principles and practices (H T Hartmann, D E Kester)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have acquired the following generic skills:

• Capacities in information seeking, evaluation and retrieval;
• Communication skills, both oral and written;
• Independent application of new-acquired knowledge and skills; and
• Planning and time management.