Climate management in plant production and research

The course is divided into several topics and when possible, theoretical lectures are combined with practical exercises. The exercises are focused around a plant growth experiment in two different climates, with emphasis on the different aspects of plant physiology. The link between climate and the physiological behaviour of plants is studied by non-destructive methods, ending up in a final destructive plant harvest for growth analysis.
The aim of the course is to give an understanding of how knowledge of plant physiology can be applied in plant production under varied climatic conditions, with the technical solutions available for adjusting the climate in greenhouses and in the field.
The course follows two interlinking lines: 1) climate physics and climate management by the techniques available in greenhouse and field production and ecosystem studies, and 2) optimization of climate for desired plant responses. This includes knowledge in plant physiology of different varieties and species used as horticultural crops. Vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants originating from all corners of the world are included, and a wide variety of ecophysiological adaptations of plants will be covered, including plants having C3, C4 as well as CAM type of photosynthesis.
The students will be introduced to non-destructive methods for measuring leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, plant water relation characteristics, light absorption in leaves as well as the major sensors for monitoring the climatic parameters.
Greenhouse production includes the technique of using elevated CO2 concentration to promote growth. Therefore the course will also give insights into plant responses in the future climate scenario with elevated CO2, which is an important part of the global climate change.

Knowledge:
· Present an overview of how the major climate factors are controlled in greenhouse and field production and how they are measured.
· Describe the physical properties of the most important climatic factors and how they interact.
· Describe and quantify how leaf gas exchange responds to the major climate factors
· Describe how climate is managed in the horticultural industry.
· Describe how the climate can be manipulated in research on population/ecosystem level.

Skills:
· Discuss the effect of the major climate factors on plant physiology, growth and quality.
· Explain the interaction between the major climate factors at the physiological level when affecting leaf gas exchange.
· Analyse the effect of the balance between climate optimisation and stress on plant growth and quality.
· Analyse the possibilities for improving current climate management in greenhouse and field
· Discuss, analyse and evaluate the production of horticultural crops from both a technical and climatic point of view.
· Data collection from different sources ( physiological measurements and the climate computer), organisation and integration, data processing in Excel, and statistics in R.

Competences:
· Analyse and reflect on the relative importance of the choices made by the grower and the horticultural industry regarding climate management to obtain an optimal productivity and minimal environmental load.