VGSC-VEGETABLE SCIENCE -- 1999-2000 Catalog
Crop Science Department

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.

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.

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.

Seedbed preparation, mulching, composting, manures and fertilizers, transplanting, seeding, irrigation and pest control in an urban garden. Merits of organic, low-input and conventional vegetable production, including organic methods of pest control. Instructional plots may be grown completely organically. Miscellaneous course fee may be required-see Class Schedule. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory.

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.

Respiration, respiratory constituents, ripening, and chilling injury; harvesting methods and procedures; current handling and packaging techniques; precooling and refrigeration; modified and controlled atmosphere storage; relative humidity; and transportation of horticultural crops. Field trip to major California production areas required plus local grower visits. Miscellaneous course fee may be required-see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: One production class in either fruits, vegetables or ornamentals, or consent of instructor.

Studies of production systems utilizing the most advanced cultural practices including integrated management of all inputs and pests. Field trip to desert vegetable production regions required. Miscellaneous course fee may be required-see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: VGSC 232.

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.

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.