HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY

HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY

ABASTRACT

These curricula are designed to prepare individuals for various careers in horticulture. Classroom instruction and practical laboratory applications of horticultural principles and practices are included in the program of study.Course work includes plant identification, pest management, plant science and soil science. Also included are courses in sustainable plant production and management, landscaping, and the operation of horticulture businesses.

Graduates should qualify for employment in a variety of positions associated with nurseries, garden centers, greenhouses, landscape operations, governmental agencies/parks, golf courses, sports complexes, highway vegetation, turf maintenance companies, and private and public gardens. Graduates should also be prepared to take the North Carolina Pesticide Applicator's Examination and/or the North Carolina Certified Plant Professional Examination.

Horticulture Technology is a program that focuses on the general production and management of cultivated plants, shrubs, flowers, foliage, trees, groundcovers, and related plant materials; the management of technical and business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care.

CHAPTER II

DISCUSSION

A.    HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY

1.         Definition Horticulture

Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of vegetable garden plant growing. It includes the cultivation of medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and non-food crops such as grass and ornamental trees and plants. It also includes plant conservation, landscape restoration, landscape and garden design, construction, and maintenance, and arboriculture. Inside agriculture, horticulture contrasts with extensive field farming as well as animal husbandry.

Horticulturists apply their knowledge, skills, and technologies used to grow intensively produced plants for human food and non-food uses and for personal or social needs. Their work involves plant propagation and cultivation with the aim of improving plant growth, yields, quality, nutritional value, and resistance to insects, diseases, and environmental stresses. They work as gardeners, growers, therapists, designers, and technical advisors in the food and non-food sectors of horticulture.

a.      Etymology

     The word horticulture is modeled after agriculture, and comes from the Latin hortus "garden" and cultūra "cultivation", from cultus, the perfect passive participle of the verb colō "I cultivate".Hortus is cognate with the native English word yard (in the meaning of land associated with a building) and also the borrowed word garden.

b.      Scope

Horticulture involves nine areas of study, citation needed which can be grouped into two broad sections – ornamentals and edibles:

1)      Arboriculture is the study of, and the selection, plant, care, and removal of, individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants.

2)      Turf management includes all aspects of the production and maintenance of turf grass for sports, leisure use or amenity use.

3)      Floriculture includes the production and marketing of floral crops.

4)      Landscape horticulture includes the production, marketing and maintenance of landscape plants.

5)      Olericulture includes the production and marketing of vegetables.

6)      Pomology includes the production and marketing of pome fruits.

7)      Viticulture includes the production and marketing of grapes.

8)      Oenology includes all aspects of wine and winemaking.

9)      Postharvest physiology involves maintaining the quality of and preventing the spoilage of plants and animals.

c.       Anthropology

     Horticulture has a very long history. The study and science of horticulture dates all the way back to the times of Cyrus the Great of ancient Persia, and has been going on ever since, with present-day horticulturists such as Freeman S. Howlett and Luther Burbank. The practice of horticulture can be retraced for many thousands of years. The cultivation of taro and yam in Papua New Guinea dates back to at least 6950–6440 cal BP.The origins of horticulture lie in the transition of human communities from nomadic hunter-gatherers to sedentary or semi-sedentary horticultural communities, cultivating a variety of crops on a small scale around their dwellings or in specialized plots visited occasionally during migrations from one area to the next (such as the "milpa" or maize field of Mesoamerican cultures). In the Pre-Columbian Amazon Rainforest, natives are believed to have used biochar to enhance soil productivity by smoldering plant waste.European settlers called it Terra Preta de Indio. In forest areas such horticulture is often carried out in swiddens ("slash and burn" areas). A characteristic of horticultural communities is that useful trees are often to be found planted around communities or specially retained from the natural ecosystem.

Horticulture primarily differs from agriculture in two ways. First, it generally encompasses a smaller scale of cultivation, using small plots of mixed crops rather than large fields of single crops. Secondly, horticultural cultivations generally include a wide variety of crops, even including fruit trees with ground crops. Agricultural cultivations however as a rule focus on one primary crop. In pre-contact North America the semi-sedentary horticultural communities of the Eastern Woodlands (growing maize, squash and sunflower) contrasted markedly with the mobile hunter-gatherer communities of the Plains people. In Central America, Maya horticulture involved augmentation of the forest with useful trees such as papaya, avocado, cacao, ceiba and sapodilla. In the cornfields, multiple crops were grown such as beans (using cornstalks as supports), squash, pumpkins and chilli peppers, in some cultures tended mainly or exclusively by women.

d.      Horticulture organizations

Desh Bhagat School of Horticulture Sciences at Desh Bhagat University, Punjab is a prestigious institution in India to encourage the research and promote horticulture techniques throughout the country. The Royal Horticultural Society is a UK charity which overseas several major shows and gardens. The professional body representing horticulturists in Great Britain and Ireland is the Institute of Horticulture (IOH). Also, the IOH has an international branch for members outside of these islands.

The International Society for Horticultural Science promotes and encourages research and education in all branches of horticultural science. The American Society of Horticultural Science promotes and encourages research and education in all branches of horticultural science in the Americas. The Australian Society of Horticultural Science was established in 1990 as a professional society for the promotion and enhancement of Australian horticultural science and industry.

The National Junior Horticultural Association (NJHA) was established in 1934 and was the first organization in the world dedicated solely to youth and horticulture. NJHA programs are designed to help young people obtain a basic understanding of, and develop skills in, the ever expanding art and science of horticulture.

The New Zealand Horticulture Institute The Global Horticulture Initiative (GlobalHort) fosters more efficient and effective partnerships and collective action among different stakeholders in horticulture. The organization has a special focus on horticulture for development (H4D), i.e. using horticulture to reduce poverty and improve nutrition worldwide. To be efficient, GlobalHort is organized in a consortium of national and international organizations to collaborate in research, training, and technology-generating activities designed to meet mutually-agreed-upon objectives. GlobalHort is a not-for-profit organization registered in Belgium.

2.      Horticulture Technology Degrees

a.    Associate in Applied Science

b.   Diploma

1)      Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Technology

Program Description

The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology curriculum provides the basic knowledge to develop skills necessary to work with residential and light commercial systems. Topics include mechanical refrigeration, heating and cooling theory, electricity, controls, and safety. The diploma program covers air conditioning, furnaces, heat pumps, tools, and instruments.

Careers

Technicians often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair, although they are trained to do both. They also may specialize in doing heating, air conditioning or refrigeration work. Some specialize in one type of equipment – for example, hydronics (water-based heating systems), solar panels or commercial refrigeration. Advancement may take the form of higher wages or positions such as supervisor or service manager.

2)      Computer-Integrated Machining

Program Description

The Computer-Integrated Machining curriculum prepares students with the analytical, creative, and innovative skills necessary to take a production idea from an initial concept through design, development, and production, resulting in a finished product. Coursework may include manual machining, computer applications, engineering design, computer-aided drafting (CAD), computer-aided machining (CAM), blueprint interpretation, advanced computerized numeric control (CNC) equipment, basic and advanced machining operations, precision measurement and high-speed multi-axis machining.

Careers

Graduates should qualify for employment as machining technicians in high-tech manufacturing, rapid-prototyping and rapid-manufacturing industries, specialty machine shops, fabrication industries, and high-tech or emerging industries such as aerospace, aviation, medical, and renewable energy, and to sit for machining certification examinations.

3)      Cosmetology

Program Description

The Cosmetology curriculum is designed to provide competency-based knowledge, scientific/artistic principles, and hands-on fundamentals associated with the cosmetology industry. The curriculum provides a simulated salon environment, which enables students to develop manipulative skills. Course work includes instruction in all phases of professional imaging, hair design, chemical processes, skin care, nail care, multi-cultural practices, business/computer principles, product knowledge, and other selected topics.

Careers

Graduates should qualify to sit for the State Board of Cosmetic Arts examination. Upon successfully passing the State Board exam, graduates will be issued a license. Employment is available in beauty salons and related businesses.

Note: In addition to tuition and books, cosmetology students are required to purchase a student equipment kit costing $299.50, two sets of solid black or solid white scrub uniforms at an estimated cost of $35 each, and malpractice insurance at $32 per year.

4)      Early Childhood Education

Program Description

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through eight years old in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers. Course work includes child growth and development; physical/ nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with families and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative development of young children.

Careers

Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs.

5)      Electrical Systems Technology

Program Description

The Electrical Systems Technology curriculum is designed to provide training for persons interested in the installation and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems found in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. Training, most of which is hands-on, will include such topics as AC/DC theory, basic wiring practices, digital electronics, programmable logic controllers, industrial motor controls, the National Electric Code, and other subjects as local needs require.

Careers

Graduates should qualify for a variety of jobs in the electrical/electronics field as an on-the-job trainee or apprentice assisting in the layout, installation, and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems.

6)      Horticulture Technology

Program Description

The Horticulture Technology curriculum is designed to prepare individuals for various careers in horticulture. Classroom instruction and practical laboratory applications of horticultural principles and practices are included in the program of study. Course work includes plant science, plant materials, propagation, soils, fertilizers and pest management. Also included are courses in plant production, landscaping, and the management and operation of horticulture businesses.

Careers

Graduates should qualify for employment opportunities in nurseries, garden centers, greenhouses, landscape operations, gardens and governmental agencies. Graduates should also be prepared to take the North Carolina Pesticide Applicator’s Examination and the North Carolina Certified Plant Professional Examination.

The Horticulture Technology curriculum is designed to prepare individuals for various careers in horticulture. Classroom instruction and practical laboratory applications of horticultural principles and practices are included in the program of study. Course work includes plant science, plant materials, propagation, soils, fertilizers and pest management. Also included are courses in plant production, landscaping, and the management and operation of horticulture businesses.

Careers

Graduates should qualify for employment opportunities in nurseries, garden centers, greenhouses, landscape operations, gardens and governmental agencies. Graduates should also be prepared to take the North Carolina Pesticide Applicator’s Examination and the North Carolina Certified Plant Professional Examination.

c.    Diploma Programs At RCC

Diploma programs provide entry-level employment training in fields that require less extensive training than an AAS degree. These programs range from 36 to 48 semester hours and can usually be completed by full-time students within two semesters and one summer session. Diploma programs available at RCC are:

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