HORT40110

This module will focus on the sustainable planning of commercial potato and field scale vegetable crop production. An overview of the potato and vegetable industries will be given. The module will emphasise soil requirements, cultural techniques, growing programmes, harvesting methodologies and quality assurance systems for selected tuber (in particular potato production), root, bulb and brassica crops. Industry Codes of Practice and Quality programmes (including national and international quality standards, such as GLOBALGAP, certification and accreditation systems to ISO 17065) will be examined and reviewed. The influence of global fresh produce supply systems, retailing strategies and food safety/quality systems will be discussed. Developments in related value-added products will be explored. Students will be randomly segregated into groups of three or four members to research specific topics. Each group will be required to prepare a Power Point presentation of their assigned work and to deliver this in class and defend it under questioning from students and staff alike. A written report will be required and should be submitted on the presentation day. Students will be taken on two industry site visits and will be required to produce group reports detailing their observations and a critique of the business. Students will be required to identify any deficiencies or best practice observed and to make recommendations/suggestions as to how the enterprise could be improved. There will be two continuous assessments, one in week six and the second in week 11. There will be no final written examination.