Untitled Flashcards Set

Olericulture

The study of vegetable growing and production.

Vegetable products

The two main types sold are fresh vegetables and processed vegetables.

Classifications of vegetables

Based on growing season, warm or cold

Botanical definition of a vegetable

A vegetable is a part of a plant that is edible, different from a fruit which is a mature ovary/flower containing seeds.

Warm-season vegetables

Require warm temperatures; examples include tomatoes and peppers. If grown too cold, they may fail to produce fruit.

Cool-season vegetables

Thrive in cooler temperatures; examples include lettuce and peas. If grown too hot, they may bolt or become bitter.

Freezing injury

Damage from subfreezing temperatures, resulting in cell rupture. Chilling injury is harm from temperatures above freezing but below a plant's optimum.

Vegetable production systems

Different systems include conventional, organic, and hydroponic with pros and cons for each.

Organic production system requirements

Must meet regulations, including avoiding synthetic pesticides and GMOs.

Factors in vegetable variety selection

Consider climate, crop scheduling, buyer preferences, and disease resistance.

Determinate tomatoes

Varieties that grow to a fixed size and produce all their fruit at once.

Indeterminate tomatoes

Varieties that continue to grow and produce fruit over a longer period.

Advantages of mulch

Helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Seeds vs. seedlings

Seeds are less expensive but require longer to grow, while seedlings have a head start but may be more costly.

Purpose of blanching in the field

To prevent enzymatic browning in certain crops, usually done with vegetables like celery.

Causes of poor pollination

Poor weather, inadequate insect presence, and chemical use; practices like introducing pollinators can help.

Excess nitrogen fertilizer effects

Too much can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production.

Water usage by crop type

Generally, nut production requires the most water compared to fruits and vegetables.

Irregular watering problems

Can lead to blossom drop, cracking of produce, and reduced yield.

Pomology

The study and cultivation of fruit.

Fruit types sold

The two main types of fruit products are fresh fruits and processed fruits.

Market distinction between produce types

The grocery store distinguishes fruits from vegetables based on culinary classification rather than botany.

Michigan fruit crops

Known for cherries, blueberries, and apples.

Fruit production challenges

Include diseases, pests, and unfavorable weather conditions.

Hardy vs. nonhardy fruits

Hardy fruits can withstand freezing temperatures; an example of a nonhardy fruit is a tomato.

Factors in fruit variety selection

Consider climate, maturity period, buyer preferences, and disease resistance.

Avoiding disease in fruit crops

Select varieties with disease resistance.

Grafting

Techniques where plant tissues join; the scion is the upper part, rootstock is the lower.

Sizes of fruit trees

Main sizes are standard, semi-dwarf, and dwarf, with each having specific advantages.

Small fruit tree growing techniques

Methods include training trees on smaller rootstocks or pruning techniques.

Importance of site selection for fruit

Crucial for factors like drainage, sunlight, and protection from wind.

Lake Effect

A meteorological phenomenon occurring in proximity to large bodies of water, such as the Great Lakes. It significantly influences the climate in regions like Michigan by creating milder winters, leading to extended growing seasons. This effect occurs when cold air moves over warmer lake waters, resulting in increased precipitation and moderated temperatures, which are particularly beneficial for fruit growers in the state.

Best time to plant fruit trees

Typically during dormancy in early spring or late fall.

Cloning of fruit/nut trees

Most are clones to preserve quality and traits.

Self-pollination vs. cross-pollination

Some trees require cross-pollination for fruit production, where botanist techniques assist.

Dioecious vs. monoecious

Dioecious plants have male and female flowers on separate individuals; many nut trees are dioecious.

Hybrid fruit explanation

Fructification results in hybrid fruit when fertilized by different varieties; seeds from such fruits yield diverse offspring.

Biennial-bearing fruit trees

Characteristics include alternate years of bearing heavy and light crops.

Long-term orchard viability

Requires periodic practices like pruning and disease monitoring.

Small fruits examples

Include strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

Strawberry categories

Classifications include June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral.

Raspberry categories

Includes red, black, and purple varieties with differing fruiting habits.

Polyploid

Organisms with more than two complete sets of chromosomes; not always sterile; example includes seedless watermelon.

Inducing polyploidy

Can be done through chemical agents or techniques like colchicine treatment.

Seedless watermelon creation

Results from creating triploid hybrids that do not produce viable seeds.

Nursery plants

Most nurseries produce ornamental and landscape plants.

Types of nurseries

Includes propagators (grow plants from cuttings), finishers (grow plants to market), and retail/wholesale nurseries.

Liner vs. Plug

A liner is a young plant grown in a flat; a plug is a small, self-contained young plant.

Nursery production systems

Include field production and container production; container production is more common.

Pot-in-pot production advantages

Reduces heat stress on roots, simplifies transplanting, and requires less winter protection.

Bare-root processing

Trees are dug pre-dormancy and sold without soil; advantages include lower shipping costs.

Balled-and-burlapped processing

Includes wrapping roots with burlap; reduces transplant shock but may be more expensive.

Nursery crop winter protection

Focus on protecting roots, as they are more vulnerable than shoots.

Winter protection methods for nursery crops

Include mulching, wrapping, or using windbreaks.

Potting media for nursery crops

Should be lightweight, well-draining, and have good aeration but differs from standard mixes.

Reasons for pruning nursery crops

To promote proper shape, control size, and improve air circulation.

Tree or shrub planting considerations

Involves selecting the right area, soil preparation, and proper planting technique.

Plant variety creation goals

Focus on traits like disease resistance, improved flavors, and adaptation to climate.

New varieties methods

Include controlled crosses, open pollination, and mutation breeding techniques.

Preventing self-pollination

Requires removing male parts before flowering occurs.

Hybrid definition

Offspring from crossbreeding, with intraspecific (same species) and interspecific (different species) types.

F1 hybrid meaning

First-generation hybrid from two distinct parents, typically shows hybrid vigor.

F1 hybrid seed outcome

Seeds saved from F1 hybrids may not produce identical plants in F2 generation.

Induced polyploidy characteristics

Positive traits include increased size, while negatives may involve sterility.

Plant breeding controversies

Involves ethics of transgenic organisms, conservation issues, and biodiversity impacts.

Self-pollination

Pollen from the same flower fertilizes its ovules; cross-pollination involves pollen from another flower.

Common hybrid examples

Hybrid fruits like pluots and hybrid vegetables like broccolini.

Transgenic organism definition

Organisms formed by integrating DNA from different species.

Opportunities from transgenic organisms

Precision genetic modification offers resistance to pests and diseases, improving yields.

GMO categories

Majority are commodity crops; horticultural food crops are also significant.

GMO personal opinion

Be prepared to substantiate views with specific examples of advantages or potential risks.

Common GMO crops examples

Include corn, soybeans, and canola, created for pest resistance and herbicide tolerance.

Greenwashing

Misleading claims about environmental benefits to promote products.

Patent vs. Trademark

Patents protect inventions, while trademarks protect brand names and symbols.

Appropriation and biopiracy

Referring to the exploitation of traditional knowledge and resources without consent in horticulture.

Floriculture

The cultivation and management of flowering and ornamental plants.

Floriculture production facilities

Typically grown in greenhouses and controlled environments.

Floriculture peak sales and production times

Sales peak in spring for holidays; production leads up to that time.

Cool-season vs. warm-season floriculture

Determine which plants thrive in particular temperatures; tropical crops require warmth.

Plastic containers uses in floriculture

Lightweight and provide good drainage, suitable for transporting plants.

Peat moss sustainability

Not sustainable long term due to environmental concerns; alternatives include coconut coir.

Greenhouse advantages

Control over environment, extended growing seasons; disadvantages include high costs.

Greenhouse technologies basics

Includes temperature controls, lighting systems, and water management techniques.

Sticking definition in floriculture

Transplanting cuttings into a medium for rooting; patching refers to fixing sections of plants.

Specialty production systems

Includes hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and specialty crops.

Difference between hydroponic and other production

No soil used; utilizes nutrient solutions and can be more resource-efficient.

Closed vs. open hydroponic systems

Closed systems recycle nutrient solution, while open systems do not.

Solution culture vs. substrate culture

Solution culture uses nutrient solutions only; substrate culture includes solid media.

Static vs. continuous flow vs. aeroponic techniques

Static uses stationary solution, continuous flow circulates; aeroponics suspends plants in air.

Substrate types in culture

Includes rock wool, clay pellets, or other inert materials.

Cut flower production in the U.S.

Majority of cut flowers are imported rather than produced domestically.

Popularity of locally grown flowers

Grows due to quality and lower carbon footprint.

Cut flower characteristics

Traits like longevity, color, and growth habit emphasized in production.

Cut flower special considerations

Includes harvesting timing and postharvest care.

Cut flower marketing avenues

Farmers' markets and local florists.

Conventional production definition

Traditional farming with synthetic inputs, while organic is without synthetic chemicals.

Goals of organic farming

Focus on environmental sustainability, soil health, and health of consumers.

Organic certification requirements

Includes compliance with regulations and use of approved materials.

Organic soil fertility maintenance

Utilizes methods like composting, crop rotation, and natural amendments.

Organic pest control methods

Includes biological control and organic-approved pesticides.