Introduction: Propagation

UNIT OVERVIEW

Getting plants off to a healthy

start is critical to successful crop

production. This unit introduces

students to the basic skills, concepts,

and equipment associated with

the sexual propagation of crop

plants, and the use of greenhouses

to promote healthy seedling

production. Lectures, exercises,

and supporting material emphasize

the roles of temperature, moisture,

air circulation, and fertility in

germination, seedling development,

and pest and disease control.

Four lectures examine cultural requirements of seeds and seedlings, as well as the

technology, costs, advantages, and disadvantages of various greenhouse structures,

and options for propagation media and

container formats. A series of demonstrations then introduces the skills involved in

sowing seeds and the cultural practices used

to manage passive solar greenhouses to promote successful development of organically

grown seedlings. Supplements address examples of daily greenhouse practices, along

with ways to conserve water, protect water

quality, and lower expenses associated with

greenhouse propagation.

MODES OF INSTRUCTION

> LECTURES (4 LECTURES, 1.5 HOURS EACH)

Lecture 1 covers seed biology, and the cultural requirements for germination and healthy seedling development.

Lecture 2 examines the rationale and associated costs and

benefits of solar and conventional greenhouse structures,

and the prevention/management of common greenhouse

pest and pathogens.

Lecture 3 takes a closer look at greenhouse technology:

heating, cooling, lighting, and irrigation systems.

Lecture 4 addresses desirable characteristics of propagation media, common container formats, and supplemental

fertility.

> DEMONSTRATION 1: GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT

(1–1.5 HOURS)

The greenhouse demonstration illustrates the way that air

temperature, soil moisture, and air circulation are managed to create optimal environmental conditions for seed

germination and seedling growth. Students will also be

introduced to the steps used to prepare seedlings for field

transplanting.

> DEMONSTRATIONS 2–6: PROPAGATION MEDIA, SEED

SOWING, TRANSPLANTING, IRRIGATION, AND SEEDLING

DEVELOPMENT (1–1.5 HOURS EACH)

The propagation demonstrations illustrate the techniques

used to produce propagation media, sow seeds, transplant

seedlings, and manage irrigation and seedling development.

> ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (0.5–1 HOUR)

Assessment questions reinforce key unit concepts and skills.

> POWERPOINT, VIDEOS

See casfs.ucsc.edu/about/publications and click on Teaching

Organic Farming & Gardening.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

CONCEPTS

• Definition of sexual propagation

• Propagation media: Components, properties and

ratios of materials used

• Containers: Advantages and disadvantages of

commonly used formats

• Accurate documentation of propagation for

trouble shooting

• Germination requirements of various crops:

Seed physiology, seed treatments, temperature

ranges, light, air circulation, and moisture

conditions

• Physiological process of seed germination and

seedling development, and its relationship to

environmental conditions

• Optimal conditions for early stages of plant

growth up to transplanting stage, including the

hardening off process and movement of plants

through facilities

• The role, timing, and tools used in supplemental

fertilization

• Preventive and active pest and pathogen

management

SKILLS

• How to create propagation media

• How to sow seeds into flats and cell trays

• How to manage a greenhouse/cold frame:

Maintaining optimal environmental

conditions for germination and early stages of

seedling growth

• How to transplant/“prick out” seedlings

• How to manage seedlings in preparation for

field transplanting

• How to identify appropriate life stage for

transplanting to field/garden

• When and how to deliver supplemental

fertilization

• How to manage pests and pathogens:

Monitoring, identification resources, and

active management.

Lecture 1: Seed Biology, Germination, &

Development—Environmental Conditions

& Cultural Requirements

Pre-Assessment Questions

1. What are the advantages of propagating annual vegetables in a greenhouse or similar

climate control structure compared to direct seeding crops?

2. What conditions must be met for a seed to successfully germinate and grow into a viable

seedling?

What are the key environmental conditions that facilitate germination and influence

seedling development of annual vegetables?