Course Description
Culture and management of economic fruit crops of the southeastern U.S., from site selection to post-harvest handling, with some discussion of new and potentially viable fruit crops. The emphasis is on evidence-based practices and current trends in fruit production.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will prepare a lecture and class activity on a topic either related to their individual research or a topic selected by the instructor. They will also develop appropriate essay test questions (with written answers) for use on exams.
Athena Title
Fruit Production
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Prerequisite
(PBIO 1210 and PBIO 1210L) or [(BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E) and BIOL 1107L] and (HORT 2000 or HORT 2000E) and HORT 3000
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, students will: 1) Demonstrate knowledge of general concepts, key production strategies, and economic considerations of fruit production; 2) Understand the process of planning for and planting commercial fruit crops; 3) Critique a research journal article; and 4) Develop a production outline for the assigned fruit crop.
Topical Outline
Orchard site selection, preparation Young tree planting and care Pruning and training Rootstocks and interstocks, budding and grafting Nutrition, soil, and leaf nutrient analysis Irrigation scheduling, methods Pest management Growth regulators in fruit production Chilling and heat requirement Frost protection Flower initiation and development Fruit ripening, maturity indices Harvesting, post-harvest handling, and packing Fruit storage, storage disorders Marketing Business management