Plant propagation
Organization and development of the nursery
Management of field-grown and potted plants
Transport and shipping of nursery stock
Quality management
Environmental sustainability in plant nurseries
- Vezzosi C., 2003 - Vivaistica ornamentale. Edagricole Bologna, 652 pp.
- Davidson H., Peterson C., Mecklenburg R., 1999 - Nursery Management - Administration and Culture. (4th edition) Prentice Hall, N.J., 486 pag.
- Hartmann H.T., Kester D.E., Davies F.T., Geneve R.., 2001 - Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices. (7th edition), Prentice Hall Inc.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge on the bases of plant propagation and breeding in the nursery, on production techniques with reduced environmental impact.
Skills on the various problems inherent in the technical management of a production nursery and on the breeding of soil and container grown ornamental plants
Ability to set up a propagation cycle, prepare a fertilization and/or irrigation plan, better manage the various primary factors of nursery production. Optimize production factors to increase the environmental sustainability of the ornamental supply chain
Prerequisites
Students are expected to be familiar with the principles of plant biology, plant cultivation and Agricultural engineering.
The total number of hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...) is 225 (= 9 UFC x 25 ore/UFC)
Contact hours for lectures is 55
Contact hours for laboratory-field/practice is 30
Intermediate examinations: 5
Further information
Office hours: every day by appointment: Tel. 055 4574045; francesco.nicese@unifi.it
Type of Assessment
Intermediate tests, oral examination at the end of the course, where the assessment criteria, in addition to taking into account the student’s general preparation and ability to speak properly, also take into account the ability to make the necessary connections between the various topics concerning nursery plant production.
Course program
Seed propagation; vegetative propagation: cutting, layering, stooling, grafting. Organization and development of the nursery: production areas, planting designs. Management of field-grown and container-grown plants; nutrition and irrigation. Advanced plant production technique. Quality management in a plant nursery. Environmental sustainability. Different kind of nurseries: fruit trees, olive trees, grapes, ornamentals.