Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
A Technical
Perspective of
Entrepreneurship
Objectives
Develop a better understanding of how plant growth can
be successfully managed to meet (customer) expectations
Relate (theoretical) concepts to sustainable horticultural
production practices
Identify factors that affect
growth & how these can
plant
be
influenced / managed
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Key Aspects
Problem solving (competences)
Developing confidence in your knowledge & abilities and
stimulating enquiring learning
Remember = the text book does not always have the
answer for every situation use
what
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Further reading:
Sustainable Horticulture: Today & Tomorrow
by Poincelot (2004)
Characteristics of Horticultural
Production as a Tool for Entrepreneurship
Crop Scheduling
outdoor versus protected cultivation
vital part of (greenhouse) production
accurate scheduling allows for marketable products to
be ready for sale at the right time of year
starting point is marketable week then work backwards
to determine dates of
sowing /
planting / delivery /
transplanting
online interactive tools or self
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Graphical Tracking
a decision - support (forecasting) tool for growers
especially useful for height control of pot plants
marketable characteristics vary
often seasonal
no production cycle / year is the same
compares actual plant height with desired (target) plant
height management decisions are based on the
comparison
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cultivar
pinching
daylength
(photoperiod)
hardening
off
relative humidity
Requires sound
temperature
(DIF)
plant
detailed knowledge
crop schedule?
CO2
days for
germination
time of year
final
container
size
light
plant growth
regulators
calendar age
versus
physiological age
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Plant Knowledge
Technical pamphlet 2 sides of 1 A4 sheet (max)
Added to your report & /or used at the fair in June
Topics:
nomenclature: family, botanical, common names, variety
origin
end use / marketable appeal
propagation method
growing medium requirements
spacing
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Plant Knowledge
environmental requirements
irrigation
fertilization
cultural practices
common P&D
illustrated crop schedule (table / graph / diagram)
Some examples:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/hil/pdf/hil-506.pdf
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Seed Propagation
plants with a short lifecycle / fast growing e.g.
annual / biennial
can be sown indoors (protected) or outdoors (season
dependant)
used to create new varieties (hybrid vigour)
but does not always produce plants
true to type
does not reduce risk of disease
spreading
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Foundation
seed
Breeder
seed
Grower /
farmer
THE SEED
CHAIN
Registered
seed
Seed
supplier
Certified
seed
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Plant Breeding
goal = improved productivity (yield) & quality
uniformity
increased vitamin & nutrient content
better taste
dwarfing
improved postharvest (shelf) life
P&D resistance
improved form e.g. scent, shape, colour
shorter production period
increased tolerance of extreme environmental conditions
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Table 1: The twelve most important players on the international vegetable seed market *
Company
Country
Parent Company
Seminis
USA
Monsanto
Syngenta
Switzerland
Syngenta
Vilmorain-Clause
France
Vilmorain
Nunhems
The Netherlands
Bayer
Takii
Japan
Independent
Sakata
Japan
Independent
Rijk Zwaan
The Netherlands
Independent
Enza
The Netherlands
Independent
Bejo
The Netherlands
Independent
De Ruiter Seeds
The Netherlands
Independent
Hazera
Israel
Independent
Zeraim
Israel
Independent