HORT 4000 - Principles of Plant Propagation

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: BIOPL 2410 or permission of instructor.

M. Bridgen.

Plant propagation, the multiplication of plants, is both a science and an art. This class introduces the principles, practices and techniques of sexual and asexual propagation of horticultural plants. The science of plant propagation is taught by explaining plant physiology, cultural practices, and characteristics of plants. The art of plant propagation will be learned by completing laboratory exercises. Seed propagation, cutting propagation, grafting & budding systems, layering, specialized plant structures (bulbs, corms, etc.), and tissue culture for micropropagation will be discussed and practiced.

Outcome 1: The students will be able to successfully propagate several different woody and non woody plants from seed, cuttings, grafting, and micropropagation.

Outcome 2: The students will understand the appropriate the reasons for using each of these propagation methods and how to choose the appropriate propagation method for any particular combination of plant type, horticultural goal, and resource limitations.

Outcome 3: The students will understand how the propagation environment, including seasonal considerations, must be managed in order to successfully propagate plants by each of these methods.

Outcome 4: The students will become familiar with the information resources available about propagation of a wide range of horticultural crops and other plants.

Outcome 5: The students will become familiar with the standard commercial methods used to propagate a wide variety of common horticultural and other crops, and how these are integrated with the entire production systems for these crops.

Outcome 6: The students will understand the underlying anatomical and physiological principles so they can be applied to the development of novel propagation strategies.

Outcome 7: The students will understand the technical and social issues related to the role of plant propagation in modern plant science and technology, and human well-being.