Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 301263

Coordinator Lihua Li Opens in new window

Description This subject will teach students the intricacies of crop management in a highly controlled growing environment and the interplay between environmental response and plant behavior. In doing so, it will incorporate one nationally recognized unit of competency, "AHCPHT503 - Manage a controlled growing environment". Students will also identify controlled environment technologies including those available, under-development and being researched, such as robotics, sensors and gene technologies. Students will gain an appreciation for the science and technology that drives high-tech greenhouse production and apply their skills in Western Sydney University's state of the art National Vegetable and Protected Cropping Centre (NVPCC) and its PRIVA operating system at the Hawkesbury campus.

School Science

Discipline Agricultural Science

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Outline plant growth behaviour and measurements of crop performance
2. Explain why and how crops respond to environmental factors
3. Describe the greenhouse technologies available to growers that facilitate environmental control
4. Design a program which will optimise inputs for a specific crop in a controlled environment
5. Simulate the management of a controlled growing environment - (AHCPHT503)
6. Report on future prospects and solutions for crowing crops in managed environments

Subject Content

1.Understanding plant behaviour
2.Measuring crop performance
3.Crop response to environmental factors
4.Sensor technology
5.Radiation, temperature, coverings and supplemental lighting
6.Heating, cooling and dehumidifying
7.Vertical farm technology
8.Optimising inputs
9.Managing a controlled growing environment (AHCPHT503)
10.Gene technology
11.Robotics
12.Identifying future prospects