1 Introduction History

Plant Propagation Course Overview

Course Information

  • Course: HORT 2061

  • Instructor: Kaylee Deynzer

  • Textbook: Hartmann and Kester's Ninth Edition of "Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices" by Fred T. Davies, Jr., Robert L. Geneve, and Sandra B. Wilson.

Syllabus Review

  • Recommended for horticulture majors and plant enthusiasts.

Grading Policy

  • Attendance Categories:

    • 100% Attendance: C

    • 75% Attendance: B

    • <50% Attendance: D-F

Horticulture Definition

  • Science and art of cultivating, processing, and marketing plants.

  • Focus on garden plants and specialty crops.

Plant Propagation Overview

  • Purpose: Reproducing plants for various needs.

  • Historical Context: Practiced for nearly 10,000 years; essential for human civilization.

  • Goals:

    • Feed the world

    • Provide materials for various uses

    • Enhance aesthetic beauty

Key Components of Agriculture

  1. Plant Selection: Choose specific plants for cultivation.

  2. Plant Propagation: Multiply plants while preserving qualities.

  3. Crop Production: Grow plants for maximum yield.

  4. Crop Handling and Storage: Preserve and transport products.

  5. Food Technology: Transform and preserve crops.

Historical Development

  • Domestication: From wild species to cultivated crops through selective breeding.

  • Roles of Farmers: Early domestication led by peasant farmers deciding plant preferences.

Innovations in Plant Cultivation

  • Wardian Case: Invented by N.B. Ward for transporting plants across oceans.

  • Early Literature: Herbals illustrated local plants post-printing press invention.

Notable Figures in Agriculture

  • William Prince: Established the first nursery in America (1730).

  • Liberty Hyde Bailey: Father of American horticulture, notable contributions in propagation.

Key Legislative Acts

  1. Morrill Act (1862): Established land-grant colleges.

  2. Hatch Act (1887): Advanced research.

  3. Smith-Lever Act (1915): Promoted extension services.

Modern Propagation

  • Defined as multiplying plants through sexual and asexual methods, focusing on cost-effectiveness and trait preservation.