Foundation Certificate in Plant Growth for Horticulture Level 3
-
Learn online the principles of plant taxonomy, structure, function and growth.
-
Study the management of plant health, and learn more about plant propagation.
-
Flexible self paced practical, 200 hour course.
- Support from a team of a dozen highly skilled professional horticulturists located in Australia, the UK and New Zealand.
-
ACS is recognised internationally through IARC and is part of a global network of affiliated colleges spanning 5 countries.
Lesson Structure
There are 15 lessons in this course:
Course Topics
This course covers the following topics:
Lesson 1. Taxonomic Classification of Plants
- The Plant Kingdom - flowering & Non Flowering Plants
- Botanical Classification
- Anthophyta - Dicotyledonae & Monocotyledonae
- Bryophytes
- Bryophyte Reproduction
- Plant Families & Differentiating Characteristrics
- Hybrids, Varieties & Cultivars
- Groups
- Trading Names, Selling Names, Trade Designations
- Plant Taxonomy & the Binomial System
- History of Nomenclature
- International Code of Nomenclature
- Ranks of Taxa
- Principle of Priority
- Choice, Construction & Spelling Names
- Name Changes
- Nomenclature of Hybrids
- Abbreviations
- Botanical Keys
- Key to plant Phyla
Lesson 2. Structure and Function of Cells and Tissues
- Plant Cells
- Cell Components
- The Cell Wall
- The Nucleus
- Types of plant Cells
- Plant Tissues
- Dermal Tissue
- Vascular Tissue
- Ground Tissue
- Primary and Secondary Growth
- Formation of Vascular Cambium
- Leaves
- Roots
- Stems
Lesson 3. Role of Flowers and Fruit
- Introduction
- Flower Parts - sepals, petals, stamens, carpels
- The Inflorescence
- Reproduction
- Pollination- wind, insects, self pollinating, birds
- Pollination Process
- Adaptations in Plants for pollination
- Floral Diagrams
- Requirements for Successful Pollination by Plant Breeders
- Phases of Plant Reproduction
- F1 Hybrids
- Genotype versus Phenotype
- Male Sterility
- Fruits
- Modification of Fruits
- Main Types of Fruits
- Parthenocarpy
Lesson 4. Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Movement of Water
- Photosynthesis
- Chloroplasts in Photosynthesis
- Light Reactions
- Dark Reactions
- Environmental Factors Affecting Photosynthesis
- Light
- Types of Artificial Lights
- Quantitative and Qualitative Light Responses
- Thernal Screens, Blackout & Shading
- Carbon Dioxide Concentration
- Temperature
- Heating - Hot Air Forces, Hot Water, Steam, Infrared
- Cooling
- Water Balance
- Under Watering & Over watering
- Leaf Age
- Environmental History
- Environment Controllers
- Respiration
- Stages of Respiration
- Glycolysis
- Pyruvate Decarboxylation
- ATP
- Krebs Cycle
- Electron Transport Chain
- Oxidative Phosphorylation
- Respiration Rate
- Compensation Points
- The Role of Water
- Water Movement - Soil to Roots
- Guttation
- The Transpiration Stream
- Translocation of Solutes
- Transport Hypotheses
- Active transport
- Pressure Flow Hypotheses
- Outdoor Planting
Lesson 5. Effects of Tropisms and Plant Growth Regulators
- Plant Hormones
- Tropisms - Phototropism, Geotropism, Thigmotropism, etc
- Thermonasty
- Photonasty
- Thigmonasty
- Endogenous Growth Regulators
- Gibberellins
- Auxins
- Cytokinins
- Abscisic Acid
- Ethylene
- Effects of Different Concentrations of Auxins and Gibberellins on Plant Growth
- Synthetic Growth Modifications
- Synthetic Auxins
- Synthetic Cytokinin
- Synthetic Ethylene
- Light & Measuring Light
- Photoperiodism
- Photoperiodic Responses in Seasonal Flowering Plants
- Detection of Photoperiod
- Critical Photoperiod and Flowering
- Other Photoperiodic Effects
Lesson 6. Physical Properties of Growing Media
- How Soils Develop
- Mechanical & Chemical Weathering
- Factors in Soil Development - parent material, climate, ecosystem, topography, time
- Physical Weathering
- Chemical Weathering
- Geochemical Weathering
- Pedochemical Weathering
- Soil Profile Description - A horizon, A1 Horizon, Bleached Horizon, etc.
- Soil Classification and Description
- Soil Colour
- Alluvial Soils
- Lithosoils
- Grey Brown & Red Clays
- Black Earths
- Sodic Soils
- Red Brown Earths
- Podzolic Soils
- Lateritic Podzolic Soils
- Range of Soils Found on Parent Materials
- Classification of British Soils
- Six Types of Horizon
- Surface Water Gleys
- Ground Water Gleys
- Peat Soils
- Soil Types & Plant Growth
- Iron Pan Podzol
- Brown Earth Rendzina
- Gleys
- Properties of Soil
- Organic Matter
- Colloids
- Mineral Components
Lesson 7. Physical and Chemical Properties of Growing Media
- Assessing Soil - Texture, structure
- Components of Growing Media - Loams, Sands, Pine Bark, Sawdust, Peat, Lignite, Coir, Scoria, Grit, Vermiculite, Perlite
- Problems with Using Organic Materials - Peat, etc
- Soil Characteristics Relative to Plant Growth
- PH Effect
- Cation Exchange Capacity
- Soil/Media Collection
- Chemical Properties of Growing Media and Role of Air and Water
- Role of Air & Water in Soil
- Effect of Soil Properties on Air and Water
- Soil Colour as an Indicator of Soil Moisture
- Maintaining Soil Moisture at Level for Plant Growth
- Role of Irrigation
- When to Irrigate
- Infiltration & Drainage
- Water Deficiency & Excess
- Gravitational Water
- Capillary Water
- Hygroscopic Water
- Calculating Field Capacity
- Calculating Wilting Point
- Available Moisture Range
- The Tensiometer
- Rooting Depths for Selected Plants
- Estimating Water Requirements
- Drainage & Improving Drainage
- Surface & Sub Surface Drains
Lesson 8. Biological Processes in Growing Media
- Action of Soil Microorganisms
- The Nitrogen Cycle - Ammonification, Nitrification, Denitrification, Nitrogen Fixation, Immobilisation, Ammonium Fixation
- Nitrogen Fixation
- Nitrogen Fixation in Legumes
- Rhizobium Bacteria
- Carbon Cycle
- Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio
- Compost Materials
- Mycorrhizae
- Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM)
- Producing VAM Inoculums
Lesson 9. Nutrients and Plant Growth
- Nutrition
- The Nutrient Elements - macro and micro nutrients
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Sulphur
- Minor Elements - Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Molybdenum, Boron, Chlorine, Cobalt, Silicon, Aluminium, Selenium, Sodium
- Total Salts
- Diagnosing Nutritional Problems
- Quick Guide to Nutrient Deficiencies
- Factors Affecting Nutrient Availability
- Soil Organisms - Earthworms, Bacteria, Mycorrhizae, Arthropods, Algae, Nematodes, Protozoa
- Soil Texture
- Leaching
- Air, Water, Temperature
- Fertilisers
- Types of Fertiliser
- Fertiliser Management
- Fertiliser Solubility and Application Rates
- Liquid Fertilisers
- Salinity Problems with Fertilisers
- Soil Sodicity
- Soil Acidification
Lesson 10. Organic Techniques and Soil Management
- Introduction
- Organic Certification
- Organic Gardening
- Organic Principles and Soil Management
- Organic Principles & Plant Nutrition
- Natural Sources of Nutrient Elements
- Laing Mulch
- Adding Organic Matter & Associated Water problems
- Problems with Organic Systems
- Organic Fertilisers
- Poultry Manure
- Blood & Bone
- Ashes
- Hay, Sawdust, Weeds, Seaweed, etc
- Liquid Organic Fertilisers
- Mineral Rock Fertilisers & Soil Conditioners
- Determining Kind & Quantity of Fertiliser
- Crop Rotation
- Cover Crops
- No Dig Growing
- Organic Weed Control Techniques
- Organic Pest & Disease Control.
Lesson 11. Plant Pests, Diseases and Disorders Part A
- Introduction
- Insect Lifecycle
- Diseases and Disease Terminology
- Diagnosis of Problems
- Conducting an Inspection
- Common Garden Pests
- Fungal Biology
- Symptoms of Fungal Diseases
- Lifecyle of a Disease
- Common Fungal Diseases
- Viruses
- Molluscs, Nematodes, Crustaceans
- Environmental Problems
- Identifying Weeds
Lesson 12. Plant Pests, Diseases and Disorders Part B
- Integrated Pest Management
- Cultural Control
- Biological Control of Pest and Disease
- Biological Control of Weeds
- Physical Controls
- Chemical Controls
- Legal Controls
- What about Companion Planting
- Summary of Pesticides
- Breeding Plants for Resistance
- Soil Treatments to Control Diseases
- Common Weed Control Methods - Suffocation, Burnib, Cultivation, Grazing, Mowing, etc.
Lesson 13. Regulation of Chemicals and Storage Procedures
- Understanding Pesticides
- Safe Pesticide Storage
- Using Chemicals
- Basic First Aid with Chemicals
- Mister, Duster Blowers
- Sprayer Maintenance & Cleaning
- Selecting a Spray Tank & Pump
- Keeping Records
- Tree Injection
- Environmental Damage
- Biosecurity
Lesson 14. Seed Propagation
- Propagation Introduction
- Germination
- Seed Structure
- Scope of Commercial Seed Production
- Seed Growing Methods
- Preparing soil for sowing
- Soil Crusting
- Seed Growing in Controlled Environments
- Greenhouses
- Difficult Seeds
- Dormancy Factors
- Germination Treatments - Soaking, Stratification, Bog Method, Fire, Smoke
- Seed Sources
- Maintaining Genetic Identity in Seed
- Hybrid Seed Production
- Seed Storage
- Controlling Disease in Seed
- Germination Testing
- Growing/Germination Media
- Aftercare of Seedlings
Lesson 15. Vegetative Propagation
- Aseptic Propagation Methods
- Cuttings
- Avoiding or Maintaining Juvenility
- Genotype versus Phenotype
- Types of Cuttings
- Efficiencies in Cutting Propagation
- Layering
- Division
- Stock Plants
- Grafting
- Types of Grafts
- Establishing Rootstocks
- Double Working
- Tissue Culture
- Specialised Stems & Roots
- Propagating Media
- Rockwool
- Hormone Applications
- Using Artificial Light in Propagation
- Other Chemical Treatments
- Other Treatments to Improve Cutting Success
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
- Demonstrate knowledge of the major divisions of the plant kingdom and an understanding of the taxonomic hierarchy and its relevance to horticultural practice.
- Identify and describe the different types of plant cells and tissues, their structure, and function.
- To understand the role and function of the reproductive parts of the plant and the seed in the plant life cycle.
- Understand the mechanism and role of photosynthesis and respiration in the metabolism of plants, the role of water in the plant, and the movement of water, solutes, and assimilates through the plant.
- To develop an understanding of the effects of tropisms and other plant movements on growth and development.
- Understand the physical properties of growing media and their significance in relation to plant growth.
- To understand basic chemistry of soils and other growing media, and the relationship between their air and water content and plant growth.
- To understand the role of living organisms in the biological processes of soils and other growing media.
- To understand how nutrients affect plant growth and describe a range of fertilisers and their applications.
- To determine appropriate management programs for different soils in horticultural situations.
Course Duration : 200 hours
What Does the Horticulture Industry Need?
Skilled knowledgeable workers: the industry is in need of people with knowledge to back up their skills. So many people working in horticulture tend to develop skills in a very narrow area. Take propagation - there are many skilled propagators out there but they may not have great plant knowledge, they may not even know the botanical names of the plants they are propagating and have little knowledge of why they use certain propagating mixes and so on. Quite often these people do not advance in their jobs - it becomes like production line work.
If you want to move ahead in this industry then your knowledge needs to be diverse, you need to be able to transfer your skills and knowledge across industry sectors so that your ambitions or work advancement potential is far greater. Studying a Certificate such as this which is based on developing problem solving skills along with gathering knowledge rather than just ticking you off against a limited set of competencies - will give you a very sound education and is a great starting point, as a professional, in this industry.
WHAT SETS ACS APART?
Service – We put the student first. Tutors and administration can be contacted 5 days a week, 50 weeks of the year, by phone or email.
We provide Better Learning – We’ve been delivering distance education for over 3 decades, and we understand how people learn by home study.
Our methods are unique, developed through experience with a focus squarely on helping you learn.
Up to Date – We are continually revising and updating courses. We listen to our students feed-back and we always improve the course if a change is identified that will help significantly improve your learning.
More Choice – Graduates need a set of skills that will set them apart and give them an advantage over competition in the world after study. We have a wide variety of study choices, and give you lots of options to choose different paths throughout a course. Doing this has meant our graduates very successful.
No Short Cuts –You can’t take short cuts in learning, and that is why our courses are often longer than you will find elsewhere. You could choose to study a short course, quickly sit an exam (while the information is fresh) and pass, but if you want to really understand something and retain it, that takes time.
More than just Learning Facts – We understand that success in the workplace or business requires you to not only learn things, but also build networks, understand the commercial world, be able to solve problems, communicate with people, and have an attitude that will function in your chosen industry.
WHY CHOOSE US?
-
Reputation: well-known and respected in horticulture.
-
Industry focus: courses designed to suit industry needs and expectations.
-
Different focus: develop problem solving skills that make you stand out from others.
-
Hands-on: develop practical as well as theoretical skills.
-
Lots of help: dedicated and knowledgeable tutors (faculty of internationally renowned horticulturists).
-
Efficient: prompt responses to your questions.
-
A long track record: established in 1979 with a solid history.
-
Up to date: courses under constant review.
-
Resources: huge wealth of constantly developing intellectual property.
-
Value: courses compare very favourably on a cost per study hour basis.
-
Student amenities: online student room, bookshop, ebooks, acs garden online resources.
ENROL or Use our FREE Course Advice Service to Connect with a Tutor