PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURAL CROP
- Agricultural Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 102 pages
- 9 units
This course introduces the principles of horticultural crop production, covering fundamental concepts and practices. It explores the classification of horticultural crops based on various criteria, including usefulness, growth cycle, and climatic conditions. The course also examines the environmental factors affecting crop production, horticultural cropping systems, nursery practices, pest and disease management, and post-harvest technologies. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of horticultural crop production, enabling them to manipulate plant growth and development for improved crop yield.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Basic knowledge of biology and agriculture
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRP304, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRP304 · UNIT 2 CLASSIFICATION AND IMPORTANCE OF VEGETABLES AND FRUITS IN NIGERIA
Horticulture is a branch of agriculture which compliments crops science or agronomy in production of crops such as fruits, vegetables and nuts and it apply agronomic practices in its production, processing and marketing.
What you should be able to do
- Classify horticultural crops based on various criteria.
- Explain the environmental factors affecting horticultural crop production.
- Apply appropriate production practices for different horticultural crops.
- Implement effective post-harvest technologies to minimize losses.
- Identify and manage common pests and diseases in horticultural crops.
- Utilize appropriate tools and machinery in horticultural operations.
- Apply various methods of propagation for horticultural crops.
- Design and implement effective horticultural cropping systems.
- Establish and manage a horticultural nursery.
What it prepares you for
- Horticulturalist
- Crop Production Manager
- Nursery Manager
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Farm Manager
- Agriculture
- Food Production
- Horticulture
- Landscaping
- Environmental Management
- Sprayers
- Tractors
- Irrigation Systems
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2:
Unit 4: Diseases and Pest of Vegetables
Understanding the complex interactions between pests, diseases, and environmental factors requires a strong foundation in biology and ecology.
- Module 3:
Unit 2: Method of Propagation (Asexual)
Mastering the various asexual propagation techniques demands hands-on experience and a deep understanding of plant physiology.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 50 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Definition and History of Horticulture · 2 hours
Read the unit introduction to understand the scope of horticulture.. Define horticulture and provide examples.. Outline the history of horticulture, noting key developments..
Unit 2: Classification and Importance of Vegetables and Fruits in Nigeria · 2 hours
Classify horticultural crops based on their life cycle.. Classify horticultural crops based on their climate requirement.. Classify horticultural crops based on their growth habits..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 3: Scope and Distribution of Fruits and Vegetables Grown in Nigeria with Reference to Climate and Soil · 3 hours
Explain the distribution of vegetables and fruits with reference to climate and soil.. State crops that are found in different climatic regions of Nigeria.. Analyze the impact of environmental factors on crop production..
- Week 3Module 2:
Unit 1: Requirement for Sitting Fruit Orchard and Vegetables Farm · 2 hours
Explain the requirements for sitting fruit orchards.. Explain the requirements for sitting vegetable farms.. Define orchard and discuss the factors influencing its location..
Unit 2: Practices used in the Production of Horticultural Crops · 2 hours
Explain the practices of horticultural crop production.. Differentiate the various practices for vegetable and fruit production.. Explain the similarity in production practices of vegetables and fruits..
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 3: Post Harvest Technology · 3 hours
Explain the post-harvest operations of horticultural crops.. List the post-harvest operations of horticultural crops.. State the importance of post-harvest operations..
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 4: Diseases and Pest of Vegetables · 3 hours
Define and classify pests according to feeding pattern and economic threshold of destruction.. State the effects of pests on crop production.. Analyze and prescribe the best practices of pest control..
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 5: Horticultural Tools and Machineries · 3 hours
List the different types of horticultural tools.. State the uses of the different types of horticultural tools.. Explain the type of machineries used in horticultural fields..
- Week 7Module 3:
Unit 1: Method of Propagation (Sexual and Specialised Organs) · 3 hours
Define propagation and seed.. State advantages and disadvantages of sexual propagation.. List specialized vegetative structures of vegetative propagation..
- Week 8Module 3:
Unit 2: Method of Propagation (Asexual) · 3 hours
Explain the distinction between sexual and asexual plant propagation.. Describe the various methods of propagating different crop types.. Discuss the advantages and limitations of the propagation techniques..
- Week 9Module 3:
Unit 3: Horticultural Cropping Systems · 3 hours
Define cropping system.. List the different horticultural cropping systems.. Explain the different horticultural cropping systems..
- Week 10Module 4:
Unit 1: Nursery Preparation and Production · 3 hours
Define nursery.. State the advantages and disadvantages of nursery.. Explain the factors that determine the choice of location for field nursery..
- Week 11Module 1:
Unit 1: Definition and History of Horticulture · 3 hours
Review all module 1 units. Attempt all self assessment exercises. Revise all TMAs.
Unit 4: Diseases and Pest of Vegetables · 3 hours
Review all module 2 units. Attempt all self assessment exercises. Revise all TMAs.
- Week 12Module 3:
Unit 1: Method of Propagation (Sexual and Specialised Organs) · 3 hours
Review all module 3 units. Attempt all self assessment exercises. Revise all TMAs.
Unit 1: Nursery Preparation and Production · 3 hours
Review all module 4 units. Attempt all self assessment exercises. Revise all TMAs.
- Week 13Module 1:
Unit 1: Definition and History of Horticulture · 6 hours
Complete all outstanding assignments. Prepare for final examinations. Review all course materials.
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and practices.
- Develop flashcards for important definitions and classifications.
- Practice identifying pests and diseases from images and descriptions.
- Design hypothetical cropping systems for different environmental conditions.
- Review the advantages and disadvantages of various propagation methods.
- Focus on understanding the principles behind each horticultural practice.
- Practice answering past examination questions to improve time management.
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 environmental and soil factors
- Review all TMAs and self-assessment questions
- Create a study group to discuss challenging topics and share notes.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRP304 about?
This course introduces the principles of horticultural crop production, covering fundamental concepts and practices. It explores the classification of horticultural crops based on various criteria, including usefulness, growth cycle, and climatic conditions. The course also examines the environmental factors affecting crop production, horticultural cropping systems, nursery practices, pest and disease management, and post-harvest technologies. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of horticultural crop production, enabling them to manipulate plant growth and development for improved crop yield.
How many units does CRP304 have?
CRP304, PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURAL CROP, has 9 units across 3 modules, over 102 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRP304?
CRP304 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is CRP304 hard?
CRP304 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does CRP304 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 9 units.
How is CRP304 assessed?
CRP304 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What do I need before starting CRP304?
Basic knowledge of biology and agriculture
What can I do with CRP304?
Horticulturalist, Crop Production Manager, Nursery Manager, Agricultural Extension Officer and Farm Manager.