Horticulture Science Perspectives of Sustainable Plant Production
HORT 2000
3 hours
Horticulture Science Perspectives of Sustainable Plant Production
Course Description
Introduction to the science of horticulture through the study of plant biology, growth, reproduction, genetics, soils, nutrition, plant-environment interactions, and plant health. Emphasis on scientific inquiry, evaluation of evidence, and application of biological principles to sustainable plant production and contemporary horticultural challenges.
Athena Title
Sustainable Plant Production
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HORT 2000E
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will explain fundamental principles of plant biology and plant function, including plant structure, photosynthesis and respiration, reproduction, growth and development, genetics, mineral nutrition, and plant responses to environmental conditions.
Students will apply principles of plant biology, soil science, and environmental science to explain plant growth and responses to light, temperature, water, soil conditions, mineral nutrients, pests, pathogens, and other biotic and abiotic factors.
Students will explain how scientific knowledge in horticulture and plant science is constructed through scientific inquiry by developing testable questions and hypotheses, identifying variables and controls, collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, representing data in appropriate numerical or graphical forms, and drawing conclusions based on evidence.
Students will evaluate scientific evidence related to plant growth, plant health, and horticultural production by assessing the reliability of sources, quality of evidence, alternative explanations, and limitations of scientific conclusions.
Students will construct evidence-based explanations and arguments about contemporary horticultural and plant science issues by integrating scientific information and evaluating competing claims related to biotechnology, pest management, resource use, environmental change, and sustainable plant production.
Students will apply scientific knowledge and evidence to real-world horticultural problems by diagnosing plant responses, analyzing quantitative and qualitative biological and environmental data, comparing alternative management approaches, evaluating trade-offs, and supporting conclusions with evidence.
Students will communicate scientific and horticultural information effectively through written, oral, visual, and digital formats by clearly explaining scientific concepts, organizing relevant information and evidence, and supporting conclusions for appropriate audiences.
Topical Outline
Module 1 — Horticulture as an Applied Life Science: Scope of horticulture as an applied biological science; relationships among horticulture, biology, agriculture, and environmental science; plant diversity and production systems; domestication, artificial selection, biological variation, and relationships among plant biology, environment, and production.
Module 2 — Plant Structure, Function, and Scientific Inquiry: Plant cells, tissues, and organs; structure-function relationships; vascular transport; photosynthesis and respiration; hormones; growth, development, and life cycles. Scientific observation and questioning; hypotheses and predictions; variables and controls; replication; quantitative and qualitative data; experimental error; interpretation of results; correlation versus causation; and evidence-based conclusions.
Module 3 — Soil and Plant Nutrition: Physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil; texture, structure, water, organic matter, soil organisms, decomposition, and nutrient cycling; pH and nutrient availability; essential nutrients; nutrient deficiencies; fertilizers; soilless substrates and hydroponics; measurement and interpretation of soil and plant data.
Module 4 — Reproduction, Genetics, Propagation, and Biotechnology: Flower structure; pollination and fertilization; seed development, dormancy, and germination; sexual and asexual reproduction; vegetative propagation; genetic variation; genotype and phenotype; selection, hybridization, and plant breeding; tissue culture; genetic modification and gene editing; evaluation of evidence, benefits, risks, uncertainty, and competing biotechnology claims.
Module 5 — Plant-Environment Interactions: Light and photosynthesis; photoperiodism; temperature and development; heat and cold stress; water relations; transpiration and stomatal regulation; humidity; drought and flooding; irrigation and water-use efficiency; environmental stress; climate variability and change; application of physiological principles to plant management.
Module 6 — Plant Health, Scientific Diagnosis, and Integrated Pest Management: Biotic and abiotic disorders; plant pathogens, insects, mites, and nematodes; host-pathogen-environment interactions. Scientific diagnosis through observation, hypothesis development, evaluation of evidence, testing, and revision of conclusions. IPM; monitoring; thresholds; cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical controls; pesticide resistance; non-target organisms; and evaluation of management alternatives and trade-offs.
Module 7 — Application of Plant Science: Application of physiology, soils, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, pathology, and environmental science to greenhouse, floriculture, food, nursery, landscape, turfgrass, and urban horticultural systems; postharvest physiology; plant adaptation; and use of scientific information to solve plant-production problems.
Module 8 — Sustainability, Evidence, and Contemporary Horticultural Issues: Sustainable plant production; soil health; nutrient cycling; water stewardship; biodiversity; resource-use efficiency; conventional, organic, and regenerative approaches; climate resilience and emerging technologies. Evaluation of scientific evidence and sustainability claims; comparison of alternatives; uncertainty and environmental trade-offs; application of plant science and evidence to real-world horticultural problems.
