Module Details

Module Code: BIOL6011
Title: Greenhouse Technology
Long Title: Greenhouse Technology
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 6210 - Agriculture
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module is designed to develop students awareness and interest in greenhouse production and management. Students are prepared for the commercial production of horticultural crops under protection.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss different soil and media physical and chemical properties
LO2 Describe protected structures and associated technologies
LO3 Perform and describe processes in the basic construction of greenhouse technologies
LO4 Discuss common horticultural pests and diseases and basic crop protection procedures.
LO5 Perform soil texture and structure analysis and basic crop cultivation practices
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Properties of soils & alternative root-zone media
Introduction to soil profiles, composition, textures, structure, organic matter, fauna, microbes, peat based substrate properties, hydroponics.
Soil Chemistry
pH, lime requirement, cation exchange capacity (CEC), solution conductivity, soil nutrients, crop plant deficiencies, common fertilisers, organic matter sources and nutrient provision, luxury uptake, sustainable, ecological and environmental crop nutrient provision.
Greenhouse structures and equipment
Greenhouse structures fixed and movable, unheated or heated, cladding materials and properties, glasshouses, poly-houses, cloches, heating systems, day to night temperature control (DIF), greenhouse insulation, ventilation, irrigation, hydroponics facilities and equipment, fertigation, supplementary and replacement lighting, crop photo-periodic and light quality control, thermal screens, cultivation, transplant and transport equipment, carbon dioxide enrichment, recent technological advances.
Plant Protection
Introduction to cultural, biological, chemical and crop resistance control of common pests and diseases and integrated pest and crop management in greenhouses.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,5
Assessment Description
Student evaluates the texture, structure and chemical properties of soil samples
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Evaluation of competency of skills associated with greenhouse facilities, equipment use, sustainable crop cultivation practices and integrated husbandry understanding.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Student compares greenhouse technologies from current professional literature
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory based classes Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Practical session Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review literature Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory based classes Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Practical sessions Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review Literature Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Larry E. Keesen. (2013), The Complete Irrigation Workbook: Design, Installation, Maintenance and Water Management, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, p.192, [ISBN: 1482778254].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Paul V. Nelson. (2014), Greenhouse Operation and Management, 7th. Pearson, UK, p.566, [ISBN: 1292027681].
  • Nicolaas Castilla. (2012), Greenhouse Technology and Management, CABI Publishing, [ISBN: 978178064103].
  • Reddy, P.. (2010), Fungal Diseases and Their Management in Horticultural Crops, Scientific Publishers Journals Dept, India, [ISBN: 978-8172336295].
  • Wolf, B. and Snyder, G.H.. (2003), Sustainable Soils, The Haworth Press Inc.
  • Adams, C. R., Bamford, K. M. and Early, M. P.. (2008), Principles of horticulture, 3rd. [ISBN: 978-0750686945].
  • Ingram, D., Vince-Prue, D. and Gregory, P.J.. (2008), Science and the Garden, 2nd. [ISBN: 9781405160636].
  • Vidhyasekaran, P.. (2004), Concise encyclopedia of plant pathology, Food Products Press, New York, [ISBN: 1560229438].
  • Kevin Handreck and Neil Black. (2010), Growing Media for Ornamental Plants and Turf, 4th. University of New South Wales Press, Australia, [ISBN: 978174223082].
  • Nyle C. Brady and Raymond Weil. (2016), The Nature and Properties of Soils, 15th. Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 0133254488].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SHERB_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Herbal Science 2 Mandatory
CR_BHORT_7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture 3 Mandatory