VGSC-VEGETABLE SCIENCE -- 2001-03 Catalog
Horticulture and Crop Science Department

VGSC 202 Enterprise Project (2–4) (CR/NC)

Beginning field experience in production and marketing of a vegetable crop, under faculty supervision. Project participation is subject to approval by the department head and the Cal Poly Foundation. Degree credit limited to 4 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 lecture, variable practicum. Prerequisite: CRSC 201, or consent of instructor.

VGSC 230 Introduction to Vegetable Science (4)

Environmental and cultural principles involved in the production of California vegetable crops; temperature, daylength and fertility effects on production and yield, use of plastic mulches and row covers, use of transplants, and pests and diseases affecting vegetables. Harvest principles, precooling methods and packaging. Survey of vegetable production for other than crop science majors. Miscellaneous course fee required–see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

VGSC 232 California Vegetable Production (4)

History, botany, growth characteristics and climatic adaptation, pests, and harvesting methods for the most important vegetable crops grown in California. Use of transplants, plastic mulches and row covers in vegetable production. Current topics in agriculture important to the vegetable industry. Field trip to a major California vegetable production area required. Survey of vegetable production for crop science majors. Miscellaneous course fee may be required–see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: CRSC 133.

VGSC 260 Vegetable Gardening, Nutrition and History (4)

Seedbed preparation, mulching, composting, fertilizers, transplanting, seeding, irrigation and pest control in an urban setting. Nutritional value of specific vegetables and their relationship to current dietary recommendations. Historical and cultural uses of vegetables. Instructional plots may be grown organically. Miscellaneous course fee may be required–see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

VGSC 402 Enterprise Project Management (2–4) (CR/NC)

Advanced experience in the production of vegetable crops. Development of a plan for field operations, a marketing plan, and a budget. Management decision-making. Project participation is subject to approval by the department head and the Cal Poly Foundation. Degree credit limited to 4 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 lecture, variable practicum. Prerequisite: VGSC 202, and consent of instructor.

VGSC 421 Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops (3)
(Also listed as FRSC 421)

Respiration, ethylene, ripening and senescence; survey of postharvest techniques to maximize commodity shelf-life. 3 lectures. Prerequisite: One production class in fruits, vegetables or ornamentals, or consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in FRSC/VGSC 425 required for Crop, Fruit and Environmental Horticultural Science majors only.

VGSC 423 Advanced Vegetable Science (4)

Agricultural land conservation; current laws impacting vegetable production and marketing. Environmental and cultural effects on selected vegetables including specific effects on growth, flowering, fruiting and yield. Field trip to desert vegetable production regions required. Miscellaneous course fee may be required–see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: VGSC 230 or VGSC 232, or consent of instructor.

VGSC 424 Vegetable Crop Management (4)

Vegetable production systems from an organizational viewpoint. Management, organization and general commercial operations, including planning, budgeting, and managing personnel. Field trip to a major California vegetable production area required. Miscellaneous course fee may be required–see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: VGSC 232 or consent of instructor.

VGSC 425 Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops Lab (1) (Also listed as FRSC 425)

Determining maturity; measurement of respiration, ethylene, humidity; packaging effects on commodity shelf-life; half-cooling time; chilling injury; maintaining quality of floral crops. Field trip to commercial postharvest facility required. Miscellaneous course fee may be required–see Class Schedule. 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in FRSC/VGSC 421.

VGSC 521 Advanced Crop Production (4) (Also listed as CRSC 521)

Production and management of crops under intensive and extensive cultural systems and low-input agriculture. Interaction between growth factors at various levels of production and interaction of cultural practices and plant requirements. Miscellaneous course fee may be required–see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.