AD2HCP: Principles of Horticulture and Crop Production

Module code: AD2HCP

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Luke Bell, email: luke.bell@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

To provide knowledge of the principles of horticultural production used by specific sections of the horticulture industry, and knowledge of specific crops and their methods of production. Content of the includes: location of crop production in relation to climatic and edaphic factors; principles of soil cultivation, mineral nutrients, improving the nutritional status of soils; crop propagation and establishment; principles of crop rotation; effects of spacing and spatial arrangement on crop growth and yield. Irrigation of field crops; training methods for fruit crops; production methods for protected crops; and postharvest storage of horticultural produce. Individual crop types will be looked at in specific detail; such as: tomatoes, lettuces, onions, strawberries, Brassicas, apples, and carrots.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Understand and describe the reasons for seasonal production of horticultural crops in the UK (e.g., climate & soil type) and where produce comes from out of season. 
2. Describe the methods used in the production of a range of horticultural crops. 
3. Explain the reasons why different cultivation approaches are required for different crops. 
4. Critically evaluate the factors that dictate production techniques. 

Module content

• Horticultural production statistics 
• Pests and diseases of horticultural crops 
• Growth & development of horticultural crops 
• Horticultural plant propagation methods 
• Improving the nutritional status of soils & crop nutrition 
• Plant breeding and selection of horticultural crops 
• Harvesting and storage of horticultural produce 
• Cucurbit production 
• Brassicales production 
• Tomato production 
• Pepper production 
• Potato production 
• Lettuce production 
• Beetroot, chard & spinach production 
• Carrot production 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Content will be delivered via lectures and online screencasts, as well as practical classes and a field trip. Students will have the opportunity to design and create a plant spacing experiment vegetables, to understand the effect this has on crop yields and morphology. This will give them practical experience in sowing and growing plants and designing a scientific experiment. They will also be supervised in data collection and analysis and prepare a written report of their findings. They will also prepare a group presentation on a crop production method of their choice for assessment. 

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

In-class Kahoot quizzes for lecture topics. 

Reassessment

Additional costs