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Cultivations under cover- Hydroponics – Thematic Units

HOU > Interdisciplinary PSP Cultivations under cover- Hydroponics (ΚΥΚ) > Cultivations under cover- Hydroponics – Thematic Units

KYK50 Under Cover Crop Environment

T.U. Code: KYK50

ECTS: 10

T.U. Type: Compulsory

Semester offered: First (1st)

Teaching Language: Greek

Module Outline

Aim of the T.U.: This module aims to provide a background of knowledge about the greenhouse environment, the main climate parameters that shape it, how they are measured and the main types of sensors as well as the basic energy and mass balances of the greenhouse and how they can be used in the selection of the appropriate greenhouse environmental control system.

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Understand the greenhouse as a crop production system.
  • Understand the effect of solar radiation (intensity and spectrum) on plant growth and morphology.
  • Recognize the different bands of the solar radiation spectrum and their relationship with agricultural production as well as how to measure them.
  • Understand and calculate basic elements of solar techniques.
  • Understand solar maps and use them to determine shading periods.
  • Calculate the heating-ventilation and cooling periods using the climograph.
  • Be familiar with greenhouse covering materials, their properties and how to choose them according to the type of greenhouse and the crop.
  • Be familiar about the use of screens as shading equipment and more generally the use of screenhouses for the production of agricultural products.
  • Understand the basic concepts of the greenhouse energy balance and use it to select the appropriate greenhouse air conditioning system.
  • Understand the basic concepts of greenhouse water balance and how this affects the humidity inside the greenhouse.
  • Be informed about temperature and solar radiation measurement sensors, their operating principles and the selection of different types of sensors.
  • Be informed about humidity, speed and wind direction sensors, their operating principles and the selection of different types of sensors.

Subjects covered:

  • Elements of solar technology
  • Greenhouse covering materials
  • Screenhouse covering materials
  • Energy balance of protected cultivations
  • Climograph of climate suitability for protected cultivations
  • Water balance under cover
  • Sensors measuring environmental parameters under cover

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this T.U.

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Teaching Method: Distance learning using the HOU’s e-learning platform and conducting Group Consultative Meetings (tele-GCM).

 

KYK51 Plant protection of vegetable crops under cover

T.U. Code: KYK51

ECTS: 10

T.U. Type: Compulsory

Semester offered: First (1st)

Teaching Language: Greek

Module Outline

Aim of the T.U.: The content of this course targets on the knowledge of the pests and diseases of vegetable crops cultivated under cover and their impact on the plant growth, survival and production. Acquiring this background will permit pest and diseases diagnosis based on symptoms but mostly will allow development of control strategies in an integrated manner.   

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  • Acquire the basic knowledge about the attacks caused to cultivated plants by pests (insects, mites, nematodes).
  • To still recognize the symptoms caused to plants by pests. To know basic elements of their classification, their biology and their ecology.
  • Understand the economic dimension of dealing with pests. Theoretical approach to coping. Methods of estimating population density. Biological control. Natural Control Methods, Biotechnological methods (Use of resistant varieties, growth and behavior of insects, exfoliation of sterilized insects). Chemical control in the context of integrated treatment. Planning of Integrated Crop Managing Strategies (case studies). Interaction of the animal enemy with the environment and with other microorganisms.
  • Understand the risks from the reckless use of plant protection products and the methods and rules for the safety of use for the user, the consumer of agricultural products and the environment. Training in the principles of plant protection of agricultural crops and the means and methods used in the integrated treatment of plant pests, in order to ensure plant health of crops, with the least possible disruption to the ecosystem.
  • Describe symptomatology, etiology, biology and epidemiology of the main fungal, prokaryotic, viral and non-infectious diseases of vegetable crops (tomato, cruciferous vegetables, courgettes, bulbous and leafy vegetables).
  • Know the principles of integrated disease management of vegetable crops (cultural measures, chemical, biological and integrated control).
  • Understand the biology and epidemiology of the above-mentioned horticultural plant diseases.
  • Develop skills to observe symptoms, identify signs (through stereoscopic and microscopic observations), spores and fruiting bodies, being able to do a correct diagnosis and control the diseases.
  • Be able to constantly be informed on important issues that concern diseases of vegetable crops.

Subjects covered:

i.Enemies

  • Animal enemies of cover crops (insects, mites, nematodes, rodents).
  • Morphology, bio-ecology.
  • Modern methods of diagnosing enemies of cover crops.
  • Integrated treatment of cover crop enemies.

ii.Diseases

  • Modern methods of diagnosis of cover crop diseases
  • Integrated management of crop diseases
  • Molecular Phytopathology of crop diseases
  • Agricultural pharmacology-residues of plant protection products
  • Plant-pathogen interaction
  • Environmental ecotoxicology

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this T.U.

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Teaching Method: Distance learning using the HOU’s e-learning platform and conducting Group Consultative Meetings (tele-GCM).

 

KYK52 Integrated and Organic Cultivation of vegetables under cover

T.U. Code: KYK52

ECTS: 10

T.U. Type: Compulsory

Semester offered: First (1st)

Teaching Language: Greek

Module Outline

Aim of the T.U.: The module aims to provide a background of knowledge about the current status and perspectives of vegetable production in Greece, the impact of the environmental factors on the productivity and quality of greenhouse vegetable crops and the modern cultivation practices of vegetables grown under low tunnels, greenhouses of nethouses that are compatible with agriculture sustainability and protect the environment and human health.    

Learning outcomes: Upon completion and successful examination of the module the postgraduate student will know:

  • What are the most important vegetable crops.
  • What is the nutritional value of the most important vegetable crops.
  • What is the current status of vegetable production in Greece (in terms of production area, crop productivity, imports and exports, economic feasibly of the production).
  • What are the modern technologies for the establishment and production of vegetables (nurseries, morning gardening techniques, greenhouses, hydroponics) according to the principles of integrated production management and according to the principles and protocols of organic farming.
  • The post-harvest handling of the vegetables, including their placing on the market.

Based on the above background knowledge, the postgraduate student who has successfully completed the module will be able to prepare a technical study for vegetable cultivation, to grow a vegetable as a producer, to provide advice to producers on vegetable cultivation, to work in organic vegetable certification bodies and horticultural integrated production management organizations and to work in research projects related to vegetables.

Subjects covered:

  • Classification and short presentation of vegetables.
  • Effect of the root and aerial environment on vegetable crops under cover.
  • Vegetable propagation – Propagation material, nurseries, asexual propagation.
  • Vegetable production in low tunnels.
  • Vegetable production in greenhouses.
  • Vegetable production in nethouses.
  • Integrated management of irrigation and fertilization of vegetables under cover.
  • Modern integrated cultivation management techniques for vegetable crops under cover.
  • Organic vegetable production under cover.
  • Harvesting – post-harvest handling of vegetable crops under cover.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this T.U.

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Teaching Method: Distance learning using the HOU’s e-learning platform and conducting Group Consultative Meetings (tele-GCM).

KYK53 Construction and equipment of crops under cover

T.U. Code: KYK53

ECTS: 10

T.U. Type: Compulsory

Semester offered: Second (2nd)

Teaching Language: Greek

Module Outline

Aim of the T.U.: The aim of the Module is to provide students with specialized knowledge on the design and equipment of greenhouses and net greenhouses, with particular emphasis on the types and materials of construction of greenhouses and net greenhouses and on the techniques of dimensioning the microclimate control systems of greenhouses and the irrigation network of greenhouses and net greenhouses.

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Understand the basic and critical characteristics of the materials used for the construction of the frame of different types of greenhouses and net greenhouses.
  • Analyze the individual design steps of a greenhouse and/or net greenhouse.
  • Dimension the heating, ventilation, cooling, CO2 enrichment systems of greenhouses and the irrigation systems of greenhouses and net greenhouses.
  • Use energy-saving techniques and technologies and use renewable energy sources.

Subjects covered:

  • Types, materials, technical specifications of greenhouses and screenhouses
  • Greenhouse heating
  • Ventilation
  • Greenhouse cooling
  • Greenhouse enrichment with CO2
  • Energy saving and use of renewable energy sources
  • Irrigation of screenhouses
  • Plant factories

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this T.U.

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Teaching Method: Distance learning using the HOU’s e-learning platform and conducting Group Consultative Meetings (tele-GCM).

KYK54 Hydroponic crops under cover

T.U. Code: KYK54

ECTS: 10

T.U. Type: Compulsory

Semester offered: Second (2nd)

Teaching Language: Greek

Module Outline

Aim of the T.U.: The content of the module “Hydroponic Crops under Cover” is the familiarization of students at a theoretical and practical level with the systems, equipment and substrates for hydroponic cultivations, as well as with the preparation of nutrient solutions. Emphasis is also placed on the irrigation of hydroponic crops, as well as the nutritional needs of the main vegetables and succulent flowers grown hydroponically in the greenhouse.

Learning outcomes: After completing this module, students will be able to:

  • carry out a technical study for hydroponic cultivation of vegetables and cut flowers in the greenhouse
  • cultivate a vegetable or ornamental plant as a producer in a hydroponic system
  • calculate nutrient solutions
  • provide advice to producers for the hydroponic cultivation of vegetables and cut flowers
  • work in greenhouses growing vegetables or cut flowers in open or closed hydroponic systems.

Subjects covered:

  • Introductory concepts and definitions. Historical review. Feasibility of cultivation in hydroponic systems
  • Substrates for hydroponic crops
  • Equipment for hydroponic crops
  • Water culture systems (flotation system, NFT, DFT, aeroponics)
  • Soilless culture systems on substrates (cultivation on bags, pots, plant containers, hydroponic channels)
  • Preparation of nutrient solution
  • Control and adjustments of nutrient solution in open hydroponic systems
  • Control and adjustments of nutrient solution in closed hydroponic systems
  • Irrigation of hydroponic crops
  • Special part: The following aspects will be presented for the most important greenhouse plants. Choosing and establishment of a hydroponic system, soilless cropping technologies, nutrition and irrigation.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this T.U.

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Teaching Method: Distance learning using the HOU’s e-learning platform and conducting Group Consultative Meetings (tele-GCM).

KYK55 Stress Physiology

T.U. Code: KYK55

ECTS: 10

T.U. Type: Compulsory

Semester offered: Second (2nd)

Teaching Language: Greek

Module Outline

Aim of the T.U.: The content of this course targets on the knowledge of the structural and functional changes that occur in a cultivated plant in the presence of a biotic or abiotic stress factor in the environment.  

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Know the basic concepts and terminology of stress physiology.
  • Know the effects of abiotic stress factors (water scarcity, salinity, extreme temperatures, problematic light regime, CO2 or O2 deficiency) on the structure and function of cultivated plants.
  • Knowledge of the effects of biotic stress factors (pathogens and pests) on the structure and function of crop plants.
  • Exploit the beneficial effects of stress factors on the production and quality of products.
  • Be aware of the interactions of greenhouse crops with climate change.

Subjects covered:

  • Introduction to the basic structure and functions of plants.
  • Climate change and its possible impacts on agricultural production: the scenarios
  • Warming and its effects.
  • Salinity in soil or nutrient solution.
  • Water shortage.
  • Low irradiance.
  • Absence of ultraviolet radiation and the morphogenetic effects.
  • Variations in CO2 concentration.
  • Insufficient aeration of the soil or nutrient solution.
  • Oxidative stress: The crossroads where undesirable side effects of stresses meet.
  • The chemical arsenal of plants against pathogens and insects.
  • The defence mechanisms of plants against pathogens and insects.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this T.U.

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Teaching Method: Distance learning using the HOU’s e-learning platform and conducting Group Consultative Meetings (tele-GCM).

KYK56 Production of dormant flowers, pot plants and nursery stock under shelter

Code TU: KYK56
ECTS: 10
Type of TU: Compulsory
Semester offered: Third (3rd)
Teaching Language: Greek

Module Outline

Aim of the Thematic Unit: The aim of the unit KYK56 is to familiarize the postgraduate students with modern techniques of cultivation of flowering plants in greenhouses and net gardens that aim at the production of fresh flowers, pot plants and propagating material for floriculture and are compatible with a sustainable agriculture that protects the environment.

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to know:

  • What are the individual branches of floriculture and what are the most important ornamental plants per branch,
  • What is the current situation in the Greek floriculture sector (in terms of area, productivity, imports & exports, economics of cultivation).
  • what are the modern technologies for the establishment and production of cut flowers, pot plants and propagating material for horticulture – landscape architecture.
  • Also, the student will be able to:
  • carry out a technical study for a greenhouse plant for the production of cut flowers, pot plants or propagating material for floriculture,
  • grow a flowering plant as a producer,
  • advising producers on the cultivation of flowering plants under cover,
  • work on research projects related to floriculture.

Cognitive subjects:

  • Importance and prospects of modern business floriculture
  • Botanical and cultural classification of ornamental plants
  • Classes of floricultural production under cover (cut flowers, pot plants, flowering plant propagating material)
  • Influence of environmental factors on floricultural production under cover (root environment, sunlight and light, temperature, air humidity)
  • Propagation of ornamental plants. Classical methods (inbred reproduction by seed, asexual reproduction by division, cuttings, cuttings, cuttings, underground germination). Tissue culture. Ornamental plant inoculations. Flower nurseries.
  • Modern techniques for the production of dormant flowers under cover.
  • Modern techniques for the production of pot plants under cover.
  • Application of chemical growth regulators to floricultural crops under cover
  • Post-harvest handling (standardisation, preservation and marketing of floricultural products

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites

KYK57 Environmental policy, environmental studies and recycling of crop waste under cover

T.U. Code: KYK57

ECTS: 10

T.U. Type: Compulsory

Semester offered: Third (3rd)

Teaching Language: Greek

Module Outline

Aim of the T.U.: This module aims to provide a background of knowledge about the factors, parameters and methodologies regarding the safe reuse of treated municipal wastewater and biosolids in agriculture.

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Κnow the environmental policies at international and national level regarding the reuse of wastewater and biosolids in agriculture.
  • Know the composition of treated wastewater and biosolids.
  • Know the advantages and disadvantages of reusing treated municipal wastewater and biosolids.
  • Understand the advantage of the safe reuse of wastewater and biosolids.
  • Apply the composting of biosolids in agriculture.

Subjects covered:  

  • Implementation of the directives of International organizations such as the FAO, USEPA and the rules established by the Greek State based on the Directives of the European Union.
  • The Greek policy and legal framework governing the application of treated wastewater and sludge to agriculture and the environment.
  • Composition of the treated wastewater and sludge.
  • Quality parameters: (a)-Organic matter (BOD, COD) (b)-Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, helminths, etc.) (c)-chemical elements (macro-, micronutrients, heavy metals).
  • Toxic organic compounds, xenobiotics, pharmaceutical substances, microplastics and other toxic substances.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of reusing treated municipal wastewater and sludge in cultivations under cover.
  • Effects of treated municipal wastewater on soil and plants and prediction of the risk of soil pollution with heavy metals using pollution indicators.
  • Management methods for effective reuse of treated wastewater and sludge to mitigate risks to plant, soil, and human health, and environmental quality.
  • Management systems of the treated wastewater in the cultivations under cover such as: transport, storage, distribution and application in greenhouse crops.
  • Sludge composting by mixing it with various plant residues to produce organic fertilizers suitable for greenhouse cultivation.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this T.U.

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Teaching Method: Distance learning using the HOU’s e-learning platform and conducting Group Consultative Meetings (tele-GCM).

KYKPA Internship

 

Code: KYKPA
ECTS Credits: 10
Type: Compulsory
Semester in which it is offered: Third (3rd)
Language of instruction: Greek

Module Outline

General Description: The Internship includes 15 days of practical training in greenhouses and greenhouses of public institutions (Research Institutes, Universities) and/or in private organized crop enterprises under the supervision and guidance of a supervising professor. The Thematic Union Internship includes the following stages.

1.First phase before the start of the semester:

  • Search by the student of the institution implementing the internship.
  • Contact an internship office of HOU
  • Approval by the KYΚPA Coordinator
  • Declaration of the Internship institution at the Internship Office of HOU.
  • Agreement between student and institution
  1. Second phase

1st G.C.M : Internship guidance.

  • Implementation of a 15-day internship:

During the 15-day internship the students they are called:

  • To be informed about the organization’s activities regarding Cover Crops, the sector’s problems, prospects and subsidy programs for the sector.
  • To attend field work in a greenhouse in the area and to register his equipment.
  • To be informed about issues of marketing crop products under cover.
  • To collaborate with members of the host institution in job search techniques in the field of Covered Crops.

2nd G.C.M.: Internship report and guidance for writing the final written assignment.

3.Third phase

  • Submission of the Final Written Assignment.
  • Oral Presentation/Examination of Final Written Assignment.

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of the KYKPA, students will have gained a first insight into their professional field as qualified managers for the field of cover crops and hydroponics and will have understood how the theoretical knowledge gained in the previous units is linked to their practical application.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites

 

KYKDE Postgraduate Diploma Thesis

Code: KYKDE
ECTS Credits: 30
Type: Compulsory
Semester in which it is offered: Fourth (4th)
Language of instruction: Greek

Module Outline

General Description: The Postgraduate Diploma Thesis will be a scientific paper of a bibliographical nature and/or a research paper and will be an in-depth investigation of a topic as it is currently formulated. The specific topic will be related to the P.D.Th. and a subject area and the student will be given the opportunity to work in depth on a subset of the science that interests him/her the most. A supervisor – advisor will be appointed who will cooperate and advise the student as well as a three-member committee that will evaluate the Thesis. There will be frequent face-to-face meetings or teleconferences between the supervisor and the student until the teaching objectives of the dissertation are fulfilled. The student will undertake the writing of the dissertation ~80-100 pages, and at the end, before the three-member examination committee, in an open seminar, the student will present the P.D.Th. in the form of a lecture. It has a duration of one academic semester.

Diplomas are based on specific data obtained from the experimental act. The content is just as strict in a scientific sense. Postgraduate dissertations often include some practical work by students, who are expected to collect data through experimental activities. For students, the Dissertation is part of a broader research and data collection process.

Indicative topics for research:

  • Energy use efficiency within greenhouses of different type and cultivation mode.
  • Greenhouse climate effect on transpiration and water use
  • The effect of ventilation of the greenhouse on cultivation microclima and other characteristics Evaluation of the different lettuce varieties against pathogen attacks
  • The use of endophytic microorganisms against phytopathogenic fungi in hydroponic lettuce culture
  • Light intensity and quality within greenhouses
  • Factors affecting CO2 concentration within greenhouses
  • Interaction between phenolics and plant growth in greenhouse cultivations

Learning outcomes: The learning outcomes expected upon successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Thesis are summarized as follows:

  • Training scientists in the principles, methods and equipment required for greenhouse and netgarden cultivation.
  • Training of specialists in modern technologies for hydroponic crops.
  • Scientific and technological training of scientists in the application of modern cultivation methods and bioclimatic design in research, the agricultural equipment and agricultural supplies industry.
  • To familiarise postgraduate students with modern relevant laboratory and experimental equipment.
  • The training of postgraduate students in the organisation and operation of greenhouse and net-grower units.
  • The creation of an adequate human potential of qualified scientists who will be able to staff existing units of production of products under cover, study offices, agricultural research centres and public services on the one hand and
  • to work as self-employed in their own relevant unit of production of products under cover on the other hand.

For more information regarding the Specifications – Useful Material for writing An MSc Dissertation and submitting it to HOU Repository, please visit the portal http://courses.eap.gr. The General Regulation for the presentation of an MSc Dissertation in postgraduate degree programmes organized on a semi-annual basis is available at https://www.eap.gr/semi-annual-programs/

Prerequisites: The presentation of the Postgraduate Thesis takes place after the successful completion of the Modules of the Program.

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