Environmental influences on crop growth and development. Vegetative and reproductive growth. Plant water relationships. Water and plant mineral uptake. Plant growth substances. Plant growth analysis. Photosynthate partitioning in relation to yield. Yield determination and crop productivity. Seed physiology. Light and plant development: photoperiodism. Senescence. Introduction to abiotic stress physiology and climate change resilience. Problems of Unfruitfulness. Problem-solving and case-studies.
Nursery layout and structures. Tools and equipment in nurseries. Substrate preparation and solarisation. Water management for nursery crops. Asexual and sexual propagation techniques. Propagating materials and structures. Techniques in seed production. Harvesting, processing, packaging, labelling and storage of seeds. Seed quality testing and certification. Seed Act. Seed laws and international trade. Ornamental horticulture. Turfgrass production and management.
