HRT 405: Sustainable Practices for Horticultural Food Crop Production

Course Code: HRT 405

Credits: 1

Credits and Offerings

  • 1 credit (3 lecture/discussion hours per week)
  • Third five weeks (April to May every spring)

Course Objectives

  1. Synthesize and apply cross-disciplinary knowledge
  2. Evaluate impact of population pressure, climate change and consumer trends
  3. Use ecological and economic models to assess integrated ecosystem services
  4. Design appropriate and sustainable horticultural management practices

Topics

  • Overview of food crops, the production practices, and the landscapes
  • Principles and components of ecosystem services
  • The soil food web, trophic interactions, and their impact on nutrient cycling
  • Visible outcomes, decision-making, and sustainability
  • The ladder of invisible biophysiochemical processes and sustainability
  • Translating biophysiochemical changes to practical applications using soil food web models
  • Overview of measuring efficiency outcomes using fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) models
  • FUE models I: Suppressing organisms harmful to plants and improving crop qualities
  • FUE models II: Improving organisms beneficial to plants and soil, and crop qualities
  • Overview of population pressure, urbanization, land tenure, gender gaps, and climate change
  • Trends in consumer preferences and market forces
  • Ecological/economic models for integrated ecosystem services assessment
  • Case studies

Activities

  • Discussions
  • Case studies

Instructor

Related Content

Department Information

Students

Research Focus Areas

Our Gardens

  • follow us on youtube
  • follow us on instagram
  • follow us on linkedin
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).