General Horticulture

Code:

EAGR211

Acronym:

EAGR21

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Speciality Sciences

Instance: 2018/2019 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	First Degree in Engineering Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:CE	16	PE2007- Perfil Engenharia Agronómica	3	-	5	-	135

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The overall objective of this course is to provide the students with knowledge on the Principals of Horticulture, with special emphasis on the engineering aspects related to the protected crop production.

 

More specifically, it is intended that students are able to: 1) develop an integrated view of the horticulture, particularly in terms of the applied inputs and their optimization; 2) understand the economic and social relevance of herbaceous horticulture, with emphasis on  the localization of the main national horticultural sites, and on the importance of the vegetables to the national agrarian economy and external trade; 3) identify and classify the horticultural plants, including the scientific nomenclature of the main horticultural species; 4) Understand the physiological basis behind plant´s responses to the climate conditions and know the available tools for a proper environmental control according to the target objectives.

Learning outcomes and competences

From Section 1 to Section 4 of the CU’s program students will acquire and integrate their knowledge on the general principles of horticulture (including the species, equipment, substrates etc.). In the last section, students will apply the knowledge gained in the previous sections to the production of vegetables and cut flowers in greenhouses. Moreover, they will explore the physiological basis of the greenhouse crops´s responses to the climatic factors.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

n/a

Program

1. Introduction

1.1. Horticulture. Concepts and terminology.

1.2. Evolution of horticulture

1.3. Economic and social importance of Horticulture

1.4. Production systems

1.5. The national horticultural production

1. Horticultural plants

2.1. Classifications of horticultural plants

2.2. Main species of vegetable crops

1. 2.3. Main species of ornamental crops


2. Culture in containers

3.1. Particularities of culture in containers

3.2. Types of containers and substrates

3.3. Water and Irrigation

1. Soilless culture

4.1. classification

4.2. equipment

4.3. nutrient solutions

4.4. Crop management

1. Modifications of the environment in horticulture

5.1. Shelters in horticulture

5.2. protected cultivation

5.3.Types of greenhouses

5.4. Structures and covering materials

5.5. Environmental control in greenhouse production

Mandatory literature

Martínez et al. ; Greenhouse agriculture in Almería: a comprehensive techno-economic analysis. Serie Economía. , Cajamar – Caja Rural. , 2016

Complementary Bibliography

Almeida D; Manual de culturas hortícolas. Volume I. , Editorial Presença, 2006
Almeida D; Manual de culturas hortícolas. Volume II., Editorial Presença, 2006
Maroto JV; Elementos de Horticultura General, Ediciones Mundi-Prensa, 2000
Wacquant C; La construction des serres et abris, CTIFL, 2000

Teaching methods and learning activities

The methodology adopted will allow the students, who attended successfully this CU, to acquire practical and theoretical knowledge on the principles of Horticulture, with special focus on protected crops.

Thus the lectures will be supplemented by practical classes to reinforce the principles outlined in the theory. During the study visits the students will have the opportunity to experience the integration of the various themes taught in this CU integrated

The lectures will be given based on Power Point presentations where the information will be systematized and, whenever possible, visual exemplification will be used (photographs, diagrams and videos).

During the practical classes, students will perform several experiments in a greenhouse using different horticultural species (at Campus e Vairão). Moreover, two study visits are planned to local horticultural.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	80,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	20,00
Estudo autónomo	100,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Type of evaluation: ´Continuous’ assessment (reports) with final exam

Terms of frequency: write 3 reports (2 final reports from the pratical classes + 1 report from a study visit)

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Rating = (20% * Average rating of the reports + 80% * final exam) / 100. To pass this course, FR must be equal or higher than 9.5 and a minimum of 9.5 values in all the components.