APMA118-Horticultural Crop Technology
Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1
Email: luke.bell@reading.ac.uk
Type of module:
Summary module description:
Crop technologists in the horticulture industry are required to be innovative and to design new technologies to improve production efficiency. Learn about specific aspects of crop technology and the development of new horticultural technologies. Build on your previous knowledge by focusing on subjects in greater detail. Examine advanced technical and scientific elements of horticultural production systems in temperate areas, which illustrate the relationship between plant physiology and genetics. Research these technologies and appraise their potential. Through interactive lectures and seminars, gain experience in evaluating scientific research critically. In addition, learn on the ground during field visits to local farms.
Aims:
This module provides students with an understanding and knowledge of specific aspects of horticultural crop technology. A number of advanced technical and scientific aspects of horticultural production systems in temperate areas are also covered to illustrate the relationship between plant physiology and genetics, and the development of new horticultural technologies. Crop technologists in the horticulture industry are required to be innovative and to design new technologies to improve production efficiency. This module will enable students to research technologies and appraise their potential critically. The course builds on a previous module by studying subjects in greater detail. Interactive lectures will allow the students to gain experience in evaluating scientific research critically.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module the student will be able to demonstrate and understanding and knowledge of specific aspects of horticultural crop technology. They will be able to appraise and critically assess the scientific information that supports this knowledge. They will be able to summarise and explain specific aspects of horticultural crop technology and production systems from assembled scientific information.
Additional outcomes:
Students will enhance their presentation and communication skills via a presentation to the other students on a topic of their choice. Self-learning will be encouraged through use of formative quizzes during each semester.
Outline content:
Autumn semester:
Week 1 | Lecture 1 | Introduction // Horticultural Robotics | LB |
Week 2 | Lecture 2 | Technology of fruit crop production under protection | MO |
Field trip 1 | Field trip | PH/LB | |
Week 3 | Lecture 3 | Biotechnology of fruit crops | CT |
Week 4 | Lecture 4 | Control of flowering in fruit crops: apple & strawberry | CT |
Week 5 < /td> | Lecture 5 | Post-harvest storage of horticultural crops | LB |
Seminar 1 | Formative Quiz I | LB | |
Week 6 |
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Week 7 | Lecture 6 | Effects of temperature and light on crop growth, development and yield | PH |
Week 8 | Lecture 7 | Field-based imaging technol ogy | LB |
Week 9 | Lecture 8 | The potential of spectral filters for protected cropping | PH |
Week 10 | Lecture 9 | Disease & pest management technologies | LB |
Week 11 | Lecture 10 | Precision irrigation technology | LB |
Seminar 2 | Formative Quiz II | LB |
Week 1 | Lecture 11 | Responses of vegetable crops to fertiliser inputs | PH |
Week 2 | Lecture 12 | Improvements in vegetable seed technology | LB |
We ek 3 | Lecture 13 | Controlled environment production | PH |
Week 4 | Lecture 14 | Hydroponic growing systems | PH |
Week 5 | Lecture 15 | CO2 enrichment of glasshouse crops | PH |
Seminar 3 | Formative Quiz III | LB | |
Week 6 |
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Week 7 | Lecture 16 | Development of novel horticultural crops | LB |
Week 8 | Lecture 17 | Vertical and urban farming | LB |
Seminar 4 | Presentation seminar (preparation session) | LB | |
Week 9 | Lecture 18 | Waste reduction & valorisation of horticultural crops | LB |
Field Trip 2 | Field trip | PH | |
Week 10 | Seminar 5 | Presentation seminar (assessed) | LB |
Week 11 | Seminar 6 | Formative Quiz IV | LB |
CT – Carrie- Anne Twitchen
LB – Luke Bell
MO – Matthew Ordidge
PH – Paul Hadley
The staffing of modules is correct at the time of writing.
Global context:
This module will give students comprehensive knowledge of technologies used in modern horticulture. International students will gain insight into UK production methods, and gain knowledge of how this fits into a global context. The module will also address the implications of global issues such as climate change, urbanisation, and labour shortages on horticultural production and international supply.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Content will be delivered via interactive lectures and seminars, as well as field trips to a local farm and UK fruit collection. Students will be given the opportunity to assess their knowledge formatively through use of short quizzes and seminar revision sessions in each semester. This will assist students in the retention of knowledge, and give them the opportunity to discuss topics of their choosing in order to better understand technologies and concepts covered during lectures.
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | 20 | 16 | |
| Seminars | 4 | 10 | |
| Project Supervision | 4 | ||
| External visits | 6 | 6 | |
| Guided independent study: | |||
| Wider reading (independent) | 20 | 20 | |
| Wider reading (directed) | 10 | 10 | |
| Exam revision/preparation | 10 | 10 | |
| Completion of formative assessment tasks | 10 | ||
| Group study tasks | 4 | ||
| Carry-out research project | 20 | 20 | |
| Total hours by term | 0 | ||
| Total hours for module | 200 |
| Method | Percentage |
| Written exam | 60 |
| Written assignment including essay | 20 |
| Oral assessment and presentation | 20 |
Summative assessment- Examinations:
One, two-hour exam
Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
One individual presentation (10 minutes) – week 10, Spring semester
One written report based on independent research (2,500 words) – week 1, Summer term
Formative assessment methods:
Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx
Assessment requirements for a pass:
Overall mark of 50%
Reassessment arrangements:
By examination
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
Cost | Amount |
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| £50 |
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Last updated: 27 July 2020
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.