HORT*3150 Principles and Applications of Plant Propagation

course node page

The following description is for the course offering in Fall 2022 and is subject to change. It is provided for information only. The course outline distributed to the class at the beginning of the semester describes the course content and delivery, and defines the methods and criteria to be used in establishing the final grades for the course.

Plant propagation is the art and science of multiplication of plant material involving the application of the principles of plant growth and development and the techniques of mass production. This course will explore biological, commercial, environmental, and social dimensions of plant propagation systems with emphasis on global trends in the plant production industry.

Pre-Requisite(s): AGR*2470 or BOT*2100

Restriction(s): HORT*3230, HORT*3350

 

Instructors:

Max Jones

Teaching Assistant:

Credit Weight:

0.50

Course Level:

  • Undergraduate

Academic Department (or campus):

Plant Agriculture

Campus:

Guelph

Semester Offering:

  • Fall

Class Schedule and Location:

Please refer to WebAdvisor for class schedule and location.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the process and the biological basis of various propagation techniques.

  2. Develop appropriate propagation strategies for a range of plants species based on their biology and existing scientific literature.

  3. Evaluate scientific papers on concepts, technologies, and global perspectives on plant propagation and conservation.

  4. Design scientific experiments in plant propagation, interpret data, write reports, and present the findings in a seminar format.

  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the biological basis of selected propagation techniques with a range of plant species.

Lecture Content:

Order and topics subject to change

  • Intro to Vegetative Plant Propagation
  • Propagation
    • Environmental control for plant propagation
    • Vegetative propagation from specialized structures
    • Leaf and stem cuttings
    • Layering
  • Grafting
    • Introduction to grafting
  • Introduction to Plant tissue
  • Intro to Plant tissue culture
  • Plant Tissue Culture
    • Applications of Plant Tissue Culture
    • Seed development
    • Seed Dormancy and Conservation
    • Pollination and Hybrid Seed Production
    • Seed Germination
    • Commercial Seed Production
  • Conservation
    • Cryopreservation
    • Case Study 1: Breadfruit
  • Conservation and Spiritual Botany
    • Case Study 2: Cannabis

 

Labs & Seminars:
Labs

Introduction

  • Most labs (except the first) will include a video demonstration/overview as well as an in person component to gain hands on experience. The schedule is subject to change depending on the availability of plant material and resources.
  • Intro Lab: Virtual tour of greenhouse, tissue culture labs, and cryopreservation facility. In this tour, student will be given a virtual tour of the university facilities used in various aspects of plant propagation and provided with an overview of commonly used equipment and instruments.

Propagation Techniques - specialized structures

  • Propagation from specialized structures. This will include a virtual lab demonstrating the use of specialized structures (ie tubers, bulbs, etc) to propagate plants. A face to face lab will supplement the virtual activity by providing students with an opportunity to propagate plants using these techniques.

Propagation techniques – Division and leaf cuttings

  • This lab will include a virtual demonstration of plant division and leaf cuttings. A face to face lab will supplement the virtual lab to give students hands on experience with these techniques.

Propagation techniques – Stem Cuttings

  • This lab will include a virtual lab activity demonstrating propagation through stem cuttings. A face to face lab will supplement the virtual lab to give students hands on experience with these techniques.

Micropropagation Parts I and II

  • This lab will include a virtual lab activity demonstrating propagation through micropropagation. If possible, a face to face lab will supplement the virtual lab to give students hands on experience with these techniques.
  • This lab will include a virtual lab activity demonstrating propagation through micropropagation. A face to face lab will supplement the virtual lab to give students hands on experience with these techniques.
  • Data collection from previous labs

Propagation Techniques - Layering, demo and practice

  • A virtual demonstration of layering techniques will be provided. A face to face lab will be conducted to give students hands on practice with these techniques.

Propagation techniques - Grafting

  • A virtual demonstration of grafting techniques will be provided. If possible, a face to face lab will be conducted to give students hands on practice with these techniques.

Propagation techniques - Seed Priming

  • A virtual demonstration of seed viability testing and breaking seed dormancy will be provided. If possible, a face to face lab will be held to provide students with hands on experience with these techniques.

Propagation Techniques - Seed propagation

  • A virtual demonstration of seed priming will be provided. If possible, a face to face lab will be held to allow students to gain experience with this technique.

Presentations - 2 weeks

  • Group presentations will be given.

 

Seminars

Seminars may be given by visiting scientists, industry representatives, and other faculty members on special topics related to plant propagation. Student requests will be accommodated whenever possible.

Course Assignments and Tests:

Assignment or Test Contribution to final mark  
Group project proposal 10%  
Mid-term exam 20%  
Lab reports/quizzes 25%  
Group presentation 20%  
Final exam 25%  

Final examination:

Please confirm time and date using WebAdvisor. Final Examination regulations are detailed at: Examination Regulations

 

Course Resources:

Required Resources:

All required material will be provided through the CourseLink portal. This will include lectures and lab materials. Lectures will be conducted in person and slides will be posted online.

Recommended Texts:

Plant Propagation Principles and Practices. 8th Edition (2011).  H.T. Hartmann, D.E. Kester, R.T. Davies and R.L. Jeneve. Prentice-Hall Inc.

 
 

 

Course Policies:

Grading Policies:

At least 20% of the final grade will be provided to students by the 40th day of class. All exams are due on dates indicated unless other arrangements are made ahead of time. 10% mark will be reduced for each day of late submission for assignments. All submissions will be uploaded to courselink unless other arrangements are made.

Course Policy on Group Work:

All students are expected to contribute to group projects equally.  A common grade will be given to all members of the group for the project.

Course Policy regarding use of electronic devices and recording of lectures:

Electronic recording of classes is expressly forbidden without consent of the instructor. 

Other Course Information:

Email Communication

As per university regulations, all students are required to check their e-mail account regularly: e-mail is the official route of communication between the University and its students.

When You Cannot Meet a Course Requirement

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons please advise the course instructor (or designated person, such as a teaching assistant) in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. The regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration are detailed in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Drop Date

Courses that are one semester long must be dropped by the end of the fortieth class day; two-semester courses must be dropped by the last day of the add period in the second semester. The regulations and procedures for Dropping Courses are available in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Copies of Out-of-class Assignments

Keep paper and/or other reliable back-up copies of all out-of-class assignments: you may be asked to resubmit work at any time.

University Policies

Academic Consideration

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. See the academic calendar for information on regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration:

Academic Misconduct

The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community, faculty, staff, and students  to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring.

University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.

The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the University Calenders:

Accessibility

The University of Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free environment. Providing services for students is a shared responsibility among students, faculty and administrators. This relationship is based on respect of individual rights, the dignity of the individual and the University community's shared commitment to an open and supportive learning environment. Students requiring service or accommodation, whether due to an identified, ongoing disability or a short-term disability should contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS), formerly Centre for Students with Disabilities (CSD), as soon as possible.

For more information, contact CSD at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email sas@uoguelph.ca or visit the Student Accessibility Services website: http://www.uoguelph.ca/csd/.

Course Evaluation Information

Your ratings and comments are important.  Course evaluation data are used to assess and enhance the quality of teaching and student learning at the University of Guelph.  Student course ratings and comments are used as an important component in the Faculty Tenure & Promotion process, and as valuable feedback to help instructors improve their teaching effectiveness and to improve the delivery of the course.

Your responses will not affect your grade.  Course evaluation data are distributed to individual instructors after final grades have been submitted to the Registrar, following the completion of each academic semester.

Please be honest, respectful, constructive and thorough.  Instructors and review committees place great value on student course ratings and read all comments provided in course evaluations. It is helpful to provide comments on the strengths of the course, in addition to the areas for improvement.  Please refrain from personal comments unless they relate to teaching and learning.

Click here for the University of Guelph Course Evaluation System