HORT 305--Plant Propogation

Instructor:      Dr. Jeff Adleberg
Office:             247 Poole Agricultural Center
Phone:            864-656-3011 (office)
E-mail:             jadlbrg@clemson.edu

Credits: 3(2 and 3)

Required Text:
Plant Propagation - Principles and Practices, H.T. Hartman, D.E. Kester, F.T. Davies, Jr., and R.L. Geneve Sixth Edition

Nature of the Course:

All facets of plant propagation will be studied to include methods of propagating by seeds, bulbs, divisions, layers, cuttings, budding, grafting, and micropropagation. The timing, manner and material for making cuttings, temperature and media requirements for rooting plants will be studied. Various propagating structures, soils and fertilizer requirements will be considered. Emphasis is placed on the basic principles of plant propagation to furnish an adequate background for the plantsman in the areas of agronomy, horticulture, forestry and other specialized disciplines of plant science.

Goals and Objectives:

To enable students to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the science of plant propagation including the effects of plant physiological reactions, anatomical structure, and environmental influences on material used in plant propogation.
To develop a level of skill in the art of plant propagation by seeds and vegetative organs.
To stimulate critical thinking through class discussions, outside reading assignments, and field practice.
To develop a vocabulary of plant propagation terminology and its proper use orally and in writing.
To encourage an interest, understanding, and appreciation of the principles and techniques of plant propagation.

Assigned Text Reading:

Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the chapters from the text appropriate for the subject of the day. Read the chapter in advance and be prepared to discuss specific topics.

Laboratory Assignments:
Students will gain hands-on knowledge of a variety of skills and techniques used in propagation of horticultural crops. Emphasis will be placed on deductive methods used to derive and improve protocols for new or high-value crops. Various facilities and work areas used by horticulturists at Clemson University will be utilized. Class trips to nearby commercial nurseries will expand the student's experience beyond the scale of Clemson's research and demonstration activities. Requirements include reading before lab sessions, keeping a notebook for data collection, and making oral and written reports on observations of laboratory materials. A lab practical will be given at the last laboratory meeting.

Grading:
Final semester grades will be based on the following:

Four Hour Tests @12.5% each for a total of 50%

Laboratory portion a total of 30%

Final Comprehensive Examination a total of 20%

Make-up tests will not be given. Students who miss a test and who promptly present an adequate excuse, preferably in advance, may be allowed to substitute their grade on the final exam for this test credit. Unexcused absences on a test day will result in a "0" and can not be made up.

Attendance and Participation:
Regular attendance is expected at all lectures and laboratory meetings. Excessive absences may result in lowering your semester average by a letter grade. Participation in class discussions is vital to your comprehension of the complexities of plant propagation. Read all assignments beforehand and come to class prepared to ask questions and to add insights to the discussion of the day. If, for some unavoidable reason, the instructor is fifteen minutes late for class, you may leave.

Hort 305 - Plant Propagation Reading Assignments

Introduction , Expectations, etc
Chapter 1 - Introduction: p. 1 - 7 and Chapter 2 - Biology of Propagation: p. 9 - 36
Chapter 3 - Environmental Factors of Propagation: p. 40 - 97
Continue Chapter 3 and 4 - Principles and Practices of Seed Selection: p. 105 - 121.
Hour Test #1
Chapter 5 - The Development of Seeds: p.125 - 144 AND Chapter 6 - Techniques of Seed Production: p. 147 - 172
Chapter 7 - Principles of Propagtion by Seed: p. 177 - 210
Chapter 8 - Techniques of Propagation by Seed: p. 216 - 235
Hour Test #2
Chapter 9 - Selection and Management of Clones in Vegetative Propagation: p. 239 - 270
Chapter 9 continued: p. 239 - 270
Chapter 10 - The Biology of Propagation By Cuttings: p. 276 - 318
Chapter 10 continued: p. 276 - 318
Chapter 11 - Techniques of Propagation By Cuttings: p. 329 - 387
Chapter 11 continued: p. 329 - 387
Hour Test #3
Chapter 12 - The Biology of Grafting: p. 392 - 430
Chapter 12 continued: p. 392 - 430
Chapter 13 - Techniques of Grafting: p 437 - 478
Chapter 13 continued: p 437 - 478
Chapter 14 - Techniques of Budding: p. 481 - 500
Finish Chapter 14 and begin Chapter 15
Chapter 15 - Layering and Its Natural Modifications: p. 502 - 518
Chapter 16 - Propagation by Specialized Stems and Roots: p. 520 - 545
Hour Test #4
Chapter 17 - Principles of Tissue Culture for Micropropagation: p. 549 - 581
Chapter 17 - Principles of Tissue Culture for Micropropagation: p. 549 - 581
Chapter 18 - Techniques of In Vitro Culture for Micropropagation: p. 590 - 620
Chapter 18 - Techniques of In Vitro Culture for Micropropagation: p. 590 - 620 Last Day of Class
Final Examination - NOTE: Be reminded that the final exam is comprehensive on all chapters covered during this semester.