EH 66 - Orchard Production and Management

Transfer Status

CSU

Unit(s)

3.00

• Lecture: 34.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/102.00 Total hours/2.00 Unit(s)
• Lab: 51.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/51.00 Total hours/1.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 85.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the management of fruit and nut trees. Topics include climate zones, soil selection, financing, farm organization, irrigation systems, field layout, varietal selection, nutritional needs, harvesting, labor management, marketing, and budgeting.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Compare California with U.S. fruit production.
2. Identify and locate the principle California fruit crops, current acreages, and trends.
3. Recognize the basic structures of plants and describe their function.
4. Prepare an orchard budget and cost analysis.
5. Schedule a seasonal sequence of orchard crop cultural practices in California.
6. Explain the basic economic concepts of orchard production and marketing.
7. Categorize general cultural practices in orchard crops.
8. Explain market standards, market agencies, market agreements, and marketing of orchard crops.
9. Explain the botany of varieties and development of fruit and nut crops.
10. Identify and describe environmental conditions influencing local crop production.
11. Explain the effects of temperature, water, spacing and fertility on plant growth and production.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lab

1. Group Discussions
2. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
3. Lecture
4. Problem-Solving Sessions
5. Reading Assignments
6. Certificate of Achievement in Plant Protection

1. Exams/Tests
2. Quizzes
3. Research Projects
4. Lab Projects
5. Written Assignments

Reading Assignments

1. Read two journal articles on new rootstocks under development and present your findings during class discussion.
2. Read from the "UC publication Almond Production Manual" and California state harvest market reports. Be prepared to discuss the domestic and export markets for almonds in California.

Writing Assignments

1. Complete a three page lab report comparing and contrasting several different pruning and training methods used in peach, almond, walnut, and plum orchards.
2. Research six types of rootstocks and scion wood and write a three page report of appropriate graft combinations required in specific growing regions in California.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Maintain six live branches or vines throughout the semester and keep a weekly journal of the physiological changes of the fruiting wood and fruit development over a period of four months.
2. Attend a field trip to a local sheller/huller facility. Be prepared to take notes on various aspects of harvesting processes and be prepared to discuss your findings in class.

Westwood, M.N. (2009). Temperate-Zone Pomology: Physiology and Culture. Timber Press, 3rd.

Ingels, C., Geisel, P., Norton, M. (2007). The Home Orchard. Univ of California Agriculture & Natural Resources, 1st.

Agricultural Production

Agriculture (Masters Required)

Ornamental Horticulture