Protected Plant Production

Overview

Join this Protected Plant Production course from Warnborough College and develop your broad understanding of practices and processes involved in successful plant cropping. It will develop a clear understanding of enviromental control and plant growth within a protective enviroment, together with a practical knowledge of plant husbandry techniques.

Aims

• Identify the main types of growing structure

• Relate use of structures to shape and type of construction

• Identify the range of environmental factors controlled within a growing structure

• Describe the use of the equipment used to measure and monitor these factors

• Name and describe a range of types of environmental controls

• Evaluate the use of IT facilities for environmental control

• Describe the meaning of ‘daylight’ and explain the role of sunlight and diffused light

• Relate time of year to the quantity and quality of available light

• Evaluate how the shape and orientation of a structure will affect light transmission

• Assess the effectiveness of glass and cladding alternatives for light transmission

• Describe the durability and insulation properties of glass and alternative materials

• Select and describe appropriate systems of irrigation for plants grown in situ

• Select and describe appropriate systems of irrigation for container grown plants

• Specify and evaluate systems for incorporating plant nutrients into the irrigation water

• Explain the effects of environmental control on a range of plants

• Relate the essential features necessary for successful plant establishment and development to their underlying scientific principles.