NPLK14014U Fruit and Berry Crop Physiology and Quality
MSc Programme in Agriculture
The focus is on fruit growth and fruit quality in
relation to the use as fresh fruits or for processing. How is fruit
growth and quality affected by the plants' physiological and
genetic basis and how can it be influenced by different growing
techniques and environmental factors? Similarities and differences
among the fruit crop types (pit fruits, stone fruits, berries
and nuts), with regard to demands in growing conditions are
discussed. Furthermore, we analyze which physiological parameters
are important in the different fruit species for determining
yield and important quality components. Emphasis is on
temperate fruits, nuts, berries and fruit vegetables, grown mainly
in open field or in tunnel systems. The reference growing systems
are the common commercial systems, including organic growing. The
course also addresses examples of the genetic and quality variation
among cultivars and the importance of different quality
attributes in relation to postharvest use (fresh
consumption, cooking, juice processing or fruit wine making).
In general the crop specific aspects of the following main topics
will be covered:
- Yield and quality components (organ development and
interactions) and determinant factors
- Allocation of dry matter and nutrient among sources and
sinks in fruiting plants
- Control of vigour and plant structure by pruning and
management of nutrients and irrigation
- Effects of preharvest factors (climate, a-biotic or biotic
stresses) on internal and external quality of fruits
- Content and development of secondary and bioactive compounds in
fruits.
- Maturation, ripening and assessment of optimal harvest and
quality aspects of fruits and berries.
- Post harvest usability and sensory aspects of different
cultivars and fruit types. In addition to fresh use, special
attention is given to production and quality of fruit juices.
Biotechnological aspects are addressed at a limited
level.
The course is targeted to students interested in plant science (Horticulture and Agriculture) and food science students who are particularly interested in fruit and berry crops and the quality and use of the raw materials/food products these crops provide.
Knowledge
- the physiological basis for production of fruiting
crops (including fruit vegetables such as tomato and cucumber).
- overview of development of the major plant organs with
focus on the fruit and its quality and understand how and why
it varies with genotype and preharvest growing conditions
- describe the variation among the major cultivars
used of fruits and berries in terms of development and
quality parameters.
- reflect on the importance of fruit and berries for human
health
Skills
- Apply basic knowledge of physiology and biochemistry from plant
and food science at the whole plant and organ level.
- analyse a fruiting crop based on the crop specific yield and
quality components.
- explain how and why different techniques are used in the fruit
industry and how it affects plant growth and product/fruit
quality.
Competences
- analyse the methods used to obtain optimal productivity and
product quality.
- discuss trade offs in management, such as between optimal sensory
quality and storability, between yield and quality
or pesticide use vs organic growing
Literature lists will be available from the course responsible.
The practicals will be made in groups, while the individual student is given the opportunity, in a major report written throughout the course, to focus on an area of special interests. Thus individual competences with emphasis on either fruit growing physiology or fruit quality aspects of fruits as raw materials for industry processing or fresh consumption can be developed. The topic of the major report are to be presented to the class in a short lecture based on a selected journal paper.
2 or 3 excursions will be arranged in connection with the different course subjects.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 35
- Class Instruction
- 5
- Preparation
- 40
- Practical exercises
- 30
- Excursions
- 21
- Project work
- 75
- Total
- 206
As an exchange, guest and credit student - click here!
Continuing Education - click here!
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 20 minutterWritten assignment, ca. 3 uger
- Type of assessment details
- The portfolio includes a major report and 2 out of 4 additional
products (e.g. exercise reports or presentation)
Weight of exam components: Evaluation of major report 50 %, oral examination in portfolio contents and curriculum 50%. - Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
One internal examinator.
- Re-exam
The exam is an oral exam, as for the ordinary exam. Submission of an individual major report 1 week before the oral reexam is required. The topic may be as for the ordinary exam but in a revised version.
Criteria for exam assesment
see the learning outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NPLK14014U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 1
- Schedule
- BThe course is based at the KU campus in Taastrup and in the Pometum.
- Course capacity
- 30
The number of places might be reduced if you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
Study board
- Study Board of Natural Resources, Environment and Animal Science
Contracting departments
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
- Department of Food Science
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinators
- Torben Bo Toldam-Andersen (tbta@plen.ku.dk)
Lecturers
Torben Bo Toldam-Andersen
Mikael Agerlin Pedersen
+ guest lectures