Plant Science Curriculum
Year two of 2-year 11/12 grade curriculum: (semesters may be switched if necessary)
Plant Science 1st semester
Instruction on basic plant science will be provided. This will include
propagation, nutrition, pest control, plant care, and crop harvesting and
product storage. Although this is a production class, most of the instruction
will be through the view of the consumer rather than the producer since all
students will become adult consumers. Throughout the semester FFA
leadership activities will be addressed also.
Text – Introduction to Plant Science, Rick Parker, Delmar
Chapter 1 – The Plant Kingdom
Objectives: Identify current systematic taxonomic systems and how they properly
employ nomenclature of plants. Describe the binomial system for naming plants.
Understand differences between Monaco and dicots. Explain ho geography influences
the type of plants.
Chapter 2 – Origins of Cultivated Plants
Objectives: Give origin of common cultivated plants and describe how early American
farmers tried and developed new crops and adapted to markets. Explain why continuing
research is necessary for the success of cultivate plants.
Chapter 3 – Structure of Cultivated Plants
Objectives: Identify and use terms describing vegetative and reproductive parts of
plants. Understand functions and terms of roots, stems leaves and flowers. Describe the
functions of the essential reproductive organs of the flower.
Chapter 4 – Anatomy of Plants
Objectives: Describe chemical composition, parts and functions of plant cells. Describe
function of xylem and phloem. Describe the anatomy of root, stems and leaves.
Chapter 5 – Soils
Objectives: Discuss soil and where it comes from, soil layers and how they differ, and
how plants depend on soils for growth. Describe the relationship between soil properties
and plant growth
Chapter 6 – Water
Objectives: Describe role of water and how it moves through plants Identify and explain
wilt, translocation, transportation, and hydroscopic water tension. Develop a water
budget and the influence of irrigation.
Chapter 7 – Nutrients
Objectives: Describe the role of essential plant nutrients and how to test for them.
Understand the role of PH and organic mater in plant growth. Determine plant nutrient
deficiencies and types of nutrition sources
Chapter 8 – Temperature
Objectives: Understand the classification of cool and warm season plants and the affect
of temperature on dormancy. Investigate temperature differences across US and the use
of growing degree-days. Learn the affect of temperature on plants including frost.
Chapter 9 – Light
Objectives: Describe nature of light, absorption, reflection, quality and intensity of light.
Investigate length of day relationship to plant growth and artificial illumination.
Describe light absorption and photomorphogenesis.
Chapter 10 – Biological Interactions
Objectives: Describe how weeds reduce yield and quality of desirable plants and how to
control them. Learn categories of plant growth control regulators. Understand plant
disease relationship to plants.
Chapter 11 – Photosynthesis
Objectives: Discuss importance of photosynthesis and management factors that affect
photosynthesis. Understand the general process of carbon fixation by plants.
Chapter 12 – Respiration
Objectives: Understand respiration and compare it to photosynthesis. Explain how
respiration affects crop production.
Chapter 13 – Basics of Plant Growth
Objectives: Understand the functions of cell development on three regions of plant
growth. Learn how growth regulators affect plant growth and the interaction between
heredity and environmental influences.
Chapter 14 – Vegetative Growth
Objectives: Describe the growth of vegetative organs, stems, leaves and roots.
Understand germination, natural death and dormancy.
Chapter 15 – Plant Propagation
Objectives: Understand the difference between sexual and asexual propagation.
Understand the basic principles of plant genetics.
Chapter 16 – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Objectives: Understand the basic processes of biotechnology and genetic engineering
and how it affects plant production.
Chapter 17 – Major Agronomic Plants
Objectives: Describe the culture of common plants and explain the genetics and
environmental factors influencing their production. Identify important pests and how to
control them.
Chapter 18 - Cereal Grains, forage Grasses, and Oil Seeds
Objectives: Describe the culture of common plants and explain the genetics and
environmental factors influencing their production. Identify important pests and how to
control them.
Chapter 19 – Food Legumes and Forage Legumes
Objectives: Describe the culture of common plants and explain the genetics and
environmental factors influencing their production. Identify important pests and how to
control them.
Chapter 25 – Careers in Plant Sciences and Horticulture
Objectives: Investigate careers available and understand skills and knowledge needed for
successful careers.
Horticulture/Landscaping 2nd semester
This class provides instruction on proper procedures of landscape
management. Students will be taught basic principles of landscape
development in various situations. Horticulture is an integral part of
landscape managements so it will be incorporated into the curriculum. This
will also include turf management. During January students will incorporate
completing state degree and proficiency applications as part of this class.
During the months of April and May students will complete a shop project is
all students provide a project.
Text – Introductory Horticulture, Seventh Edition, Reiley/Shry, Delmar
Chapter 1 – Exploring the Horticulture Field
Objectives: Obtain an overview of the horticulture industry and jobs available
Chapter 2 – Plant Taxonomy
Objective: To differential between scientific and common plant names and explain the
binomial system of naming plants
Chapter 3 – Parts of the Plant and Their Functions
Objectives: To recognize the main parts of a plant and describe the functions of each
Chapter 4 – Environmental Requirements for Good Plant Growth
Objectives: To explain the basic needs of plants and the various factors that makes up
their environment
Chapter 5 – Growth Stimulants, Retardants, and Rooting Hormones
Objectives: to list four types of growth regulators used in horticulture industry.
Chapter 6 – Seeds
Objectives: To propagate at least one plant from seeds
Chapter 7 – Softwood and Semi-hardwood cuttings and Micropropagation
Objectives; To collect softwood and semi-hardwood cutting wood, prepare cuttings and
place them in the propagating structure for rooting
Chapter 8 = Hardwood Cuttings
Objectives: To perform the six steps in taking hardwood cuttings so that success in
rooting 60 – 80 percent of the cuttings achieved
Chapter 9 – Separation and Division
Objectives: To propagate plants by separation and division
Chapter 10 – Grafting
Objectives: To perform three methods of grafting so that success in growing 60 percent
of the grafted plants is achieved
Chapter 11 – Budding
Objectives: To propagate plants using the budding process
Chapter 12 – Layering
Objectives: To propagate plants by one of the layering procedures described in the
chapter
Greenhouse Management and Crops
Chapter 13 – Poinsettias
Objectives: To produce a saleable poinsettia crop
Chapter 14 – Chrysanthemums
Objectives: To produce commercially acceptable potted chrysanthemums crop beginning
with rooted cuttings
Chapter 15 – Easter Lilies
Objectives: To produce a marketable crop of Easter Lilies
Integrated Pest Management
Chapter 16 – Integrate Pest Management and the Biological Control of Pest and
Disease
Objectives: To understand the control of plant pests through biological means
Chapter 17 – The Safe Use of Pesticides
Objectives: To use pesticides safely and competently
Chapter 18 – Insecticides
Objectives: To identify insect pests and select and apply the appropriate insecticides
Chapter 19 – Fungicides, Rodenticides, Molluscicides, and Nematocides
Objectives: To identify fungus disease, rodents, mollusks and nematodes and prescribe a
chemical control for each
Chapter 20 = Herbicide
Objectives: To select and apply herbicides so that weed control is accomplished without
damage to the crop being cultivated or contamination of the environment
Container-Grown Plants (Omit and return to if have time)
Using Plants in the Landscape
Chapter 25 – Annual Bedding Plant
Objectives: To plant and maintain annual flowers in the landscape
Chapter 26 – Perennials, Ornamentals, Grass, Vines, Bamboo, and Prairie Gardens
Objectives: To design, plant and maintain a perennial garden
Chapter 27 – Narrowleaf Evergreens
Objectives: To identify and plant narrowleaf evergreens in the landscape
Chapter 28 – Broadleaf Evergreen
Objectives: To identify the cultural requirements, planting techniques, care, and uses of
broadleaf evergreens in the landscape
Chapter 29- Deciduous Trees
Objectives: To properly position and plant deciduous trees in the landscape
Chapter 30 – Deciduous Shrubs
Objectives: To select, use and care for deciduous shrubs
Chapter 31 – Ground Covers
Objectives: To select, establish and maintain ground coves in the landscape
Chapter 32 – Bulbs
Objectives: To force bulbs indoors and to use bulbs in the landscape
Chapter 33 – Techniques of Pruning
Objectives: To select proper pruning techniques for specific plants and demonstrate their
use in the landscape
Chapter 34-Principles of Landscaping, Maintenance, Xeriscaping, Water Gardens,
and Irrigation
Objectives: To apply the principles of landscaping, maintenance and xeriscaping to an
actual setting to understand the goals of the landscape profession
Lawn and Turfgrass Establishment and Maintenance
Chapter 35 – Establishing the Lawn
Objectives: To start a lawn by seeding, sodding, and sprig or strip planting
Chapter 36 – Maintaining the Lawn
Objectives: To use proper lawn maintenance techniques
Chapter 37 – Renovating the Lawn
Objectives: To select and use proper renovation techniques for a specific problem in the
lawn
The Vegetable Garden
Chapter 38 – Planning and Preparing the Garden Site
Objectives: To select and prepare a vegetable garden site
Chapter 39 – Planting the Vegetable Garden
Objectives: To demonstrate techniques for planting of a small vegetable garden
Chapter 40 – Caring for the Vegetable Garden
Objectives: To care for a garden, producing a marketable-quality crop
Chapter 41 – Favorite Garden Vegetables and Herbs
Objectives: To cultivate and harvest vegetables commonly grown in the local area
The Small Fruit Garden
Chapter 42 – Strawberries
Objectives: To grow strawberries of a marketable quality in the home garden and to
become familiar with commercial strawberry
Producing areas in the US
Chapter 43- Blueberries
Objectives: To plant and grow marketable blueberries
Chapter 44 – The Bramble Fruits
Objectives: To outline a program for propagation, cultivation, and maintenance of
bramble fruit planting
Chapter 45 – Grapes
Objectives: To utilize a program for the establishment and cultivation of a grape
vineyard
Holiday Crafts and Floral Design
Chapter 46 – Wreaths and Door Swags
Objectives: To construct various seasonal decorative pieces, including the evergreen
wreath
Chapter 47 – Creating Holiday Centerpieces
Objectives: To construct and care for holiday centerpieces
Chapter 48 – Enhancements and Accessories for Floral Designs
Objectives: To crate attractive bows for decorative arrangements
Chapter 49 – Floral Designs
Objectives: To create floral designs
Chapter 50 – Corsages and Boutonnieres
Objectives: To create corsages and boutonnieres