- Description
- Students are introduced to plant structures and propagation techniques for growing healthy plants. Cultural requirements for plant production and technological and chemical influences on plant production are also explored.
- Prerequisite
- None
- Parameters
- Access to a plant production facility and/or equipment.
- Supporting courses
- AGR3000: Agriculture Safety HCS2020: First Aid/CPR with AED HCS3000: Workplace Safety Systems
Outcomes The student will:
1 identify the processes and procedures involved in producing a plant commodity
1.1 differentiate among field crops, greenhouse/nursery productions and gardening
1.2 select seeds or plants appropriate to climatic conditions by:
1.2.1 identifying selection processes; e.g., heritage seeds, hybrids
1.2.2 identifying resources for product selection; e.g., catalogues, companies, online resources
1.2.3 identifying plants, using common breeds/varieties/names
1.3 identify the structure and function of basic plant parts, including:
1.3.1 roots; e.g., taproot, lateral roots, root hairs
1.3.2 stems; e.g., xylem, phloem
1.3.3 leaves; e.g., nodes, petioles, stomata
1.3.4 flowers; e.g., pistils, stamens, sepals
1.3.5 fruit; e.g., simple, aggregate, multiple
1.3.6 seeds; e.g., embryo, endosperm, seed coat
1.4 relate the processes of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration by:
1.4.1 illustrating the formulas for photosynthesis and respiration
1.4.2 identifying the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration
1.4.3 developing an awareness of transpiration and its effects on plant health
1.5 describe cultural requirements for the production of a plant commodity, including:
1.5.1 water requirements
1.5.2 light intensity and duration
1.5.3 climate and temperature
1.5.4 air/ventilation
1.5.5 space variable
1.5.6 nutrient requirements
1.6 analyze the components of various types of soil and/or growing media; e.g., peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water
1.7 research the components and functions of fertilizers
2 relate the concepts of breeding, propagation and selection to production practices
2.1 identify and describe various forms of plant breeding
2.2 relate the selection of criteria to breeding and propagation; e.g., natural selection, hybrid breeding, plant cell culture
2.3 discuss the practice of genetic modification, including issues and concerns; e.g., nutritional value, ecological impact
2.4 research sexual and asexual propagation and identify plants suitable for each
2.5 demonstrate various methods of propagation; e.g., sowing, stem cutting, leaf cutting, division
3 describe technological systems used in a plant production enterprise
3.1 describe buildings/structures appropriate to production, considering:
3.1.1 design features
3.1.2 operation and maintenance
3.1.3 safety
3.1.4 economics/cost
3.2 describe equipment appropriate to production, considering:
3.2.1 operation and maintenance
3.2.2 safety
3.2.3 economics/cost
4 identify and describe potential hazards found in the plant production area and safe practices for dealing with hazards
4.1 identify and describe potential hazards related to chemicals used within the industry by:
4.1.1 identifying chemical hazard symbols
4.1.2 explaining the principal routes of entry of chemicals into the body
4.1.3 listing symptoms of exposure to chemicals
4.1.4 determining appropriate methods of storage for chemicals
4.2 identify and describe potential hazards related to tools/machinery used within the industry
4.3 identify and describe the types of personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be used; e.g., earplugs, gloves, masks
4.4 identify other methods of protection that can be used; e.g., lifting, loading, bending
5 identify and demonstrate various methods of planting, growing and harvesting a plant
5.1 select a plant/crop
5.2 identify the needs of the specific plant/crop selected; e.g., water requirements, light intensity and duration, type of soil
5.3 prepare a growing media for the plant/crop
5.4 choose an appropriate container for the plant/crop
5.5 use an appropriate method of propagation
5.6 maintain the plant/crop by providing optimum conditions; e.g., air movement, temperature
5.7 practise methods of transplanting and potting up
5.8 discuss hardening off techniques
5.9 harvest the plant/crop in an appropriate manner
5.10 maintain a logbook of activities
6 describe a strategy for protecting the health of a chosen plant commodity
6.1 identify common diseases, pests, deficiencies and ailments of the plant
6.2 identify the treatment, control and prevention of diseases, pests, deficiencies and ailments
6.3 discuss the advantages and disadvantages of chemical and non-chemical methods of pest and disease control
6.4 discuss ethical concerns related to protecting the health of plants
7 demonstrate basic competencies
7.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:
7.1.1 communicate
7.1.2 manage information
7.1.3 use numbers
7.1.4 think and solve problems
7.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:
7.2.1 demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours
7.2.2 be responsible
7.2.3 be adaptable
7.2.4 learn continuously
7.2.5 work safely
7.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:
7.3.1 work with others
7.3.2 participate in projects and tasks
8 make personal connections to the cluster content and processes to inform possible pathway choices
8.1 complete/update a personal inventory; e.g., interests, values, beliefs, resources, prior learning and experiences
8.2 create a connection between a personal inventory and occupational choices
Program of Studies 2010. Source document, © Alberta Education.