Course overview
This course delivers an overview of horticultural industries across the domains of: annual field vegetable crops; perennial tree and vine crops; protected cropping; peri-urban and amenity horticulture. Students develop knowledge and skills in: identification of horticultural pests and diseases; nursery, glasshouse and orchard management; irrigation technology; plant health; post-harvest and supply chains. By engaging with online videos, lectures, workshops and field tours, students develop detailed knowledge of the production cycles, environmental management, quality control and markets of at least five horticultural crops significant to the SA horticultural industry. They develop the capacity to provide recommendations for the establishment and management of a new commercially viable horticultural enterprise. They develop skills in digital technology as applied to control systems management in a horticultural industry.
Course learning outcomes
- Identify the major commercial horticultural varieties, pests and diseases in annual and perennial crops in Australia.
- Explain how diverse horticultural industries contribute to food culture, environmental resilience, and economic opportunity.
- Compare and contrast the differences in physiology and related management of several horticultural crops.
- Explain best practice in management and use of technology within an industry domain.
- Create an implementation program for a new crop enterprise.