Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment
Hydroponic cultivation translate to "cultivation in water without soil". These cultivation systems is common in greenhouse production of vegetables and ornamentals, but also used in public environments and in more small-scale cultivation.
The focus is on production and public environment, but the course also addresses possibilities in small-scale cultivation. With the basics of plant cultivation, this is an excellent course to insight to the opportunities with this technique.
Despite a long history, there is a rapid development in the area. Vertical cultivation, plant factories, urban cultivation, the use of residual products are concepts that are often associated with this cultivation technique. You will get biological and technical basics for modern hydroponic cultivation, and an opportunity to focus on areas where there is rapid development.
You will get lectures and exercises and practical elements and a literature assignment. We have a lab where you in groups build a small cultivation system that is managed throughout the course. In addition, we have shorter labs on specific parts of the content. Study visits to companies is included. The literature assignment gives an opportunity for in-depth study in an area of your interest. The presentations gives opportunities to understand the width that exists within this cultivation system.
Take the chance to learn more about the possibilities for efficient and environmentally friendly cultivation with hydroponics.
Information from the course leader
Course information
Information for the course is now available in Canvas.
2020-10-07
BI 1233 Prelliminary time table
Dear student. Concerning the course in Hydroponics BI1233. On the course home page you can now find the preliminary course Schedule. It is almost ready. Due to the Corona situation there are still some questions about the study visits. The rest should hopefully be correct. Best regards Håkan /course manager
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
BI1233-20081 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for BI1233
Academic year 2024/2025
Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment (BI1233-20006)
2024-11-01 - 2025-01-19
Academic year 2023/2024
Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment (BI1233-20082)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2022/2023
Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment (BI1233-20083)
2022-11-01 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2021/2022
Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment (BI1233-20068)
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2019/2020
Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment (BI1233-20122)
2019-11-01 - 2020-01-19
Academic year 2018/2019
Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment (BI1233-20041)
2018-11-05 - 2019-01-20
Academic year 2017/2018
Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment (BI1233-20061)
2017-10-30 - 2018-01-14
Academic year 2016/2017
Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment (BI1233-20063)
2016-10-31 - 2017-01-15
Academic year 2015/2016
Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment (BI1233-20101)
2015-10-26 - 2016-01-17
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
BI1233 Hydroponic Systems in Horticultural Production and Public Environment, 15.0 Credits
Hydroponiska system inom trädgårdsodling och i offentlig miljöSubjects
Horticultural Science Biology Biology Horticultural scienceEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratories | 5.0 | 0302 |
| Seminar | 5.0 | 0303 |
| Literature examination | 5.0 | 0304 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G2F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
The equivalent of 60 credits in Biology, Horticultural science, Technology or Landscape Architecture.Objectives
After completion of the course, the student will be able to:
choose and justify his/her choice of a hydroponic system and technical solutions for a specific growing site or cultivation situation.
Discuss the environmental impact of hydroponic systems from a sustainability perspective.
Discuss methodology for setting up, planting/establishment, maintenance and harvest of hydroponic systems.
Describe the properties of relevant substrates used in hydroponic systems.
Describe how water and plant nutrients can be regulated in hydroponic systems and be able to calculate water and nutrient requirements.
Predict plant responses to various control and regulatory measures in hydroponic systems.
Identify critical factors in hydroponic systems, including water quality and the incidence of disease agents, and be capable of prioritising control measures.
Apply their knowledge in anticipating, preventing and managing technical disruptions in hydroponic systems.
Content
The hydroponic systems referred to in the course are high technology cultivation systems where plant nutrients are supplied in liquid form. The course is an applied course covering biological, technological and horticultural issues. It encompasses both the production of horticultural products and the growing and use of horticultural plants in public spaces. The course also deals with environmental aspects, and principles of plant physiology and technology are integrated. The course deals with a range of areas of application for hydroponic cultivation systems and how these systems can be ajusted according to demands of the plant. During the course, the students build their own hydroponic systems in the greenhouse or outdoors, carry out analyses, regulate water and nutrient supply, take care of the plants, resolve technical problems in the cultivation system and evaluate the results. Great emphasis is placed on the fact that applications in public spaces must be long-lasting and that the horticultural products produced must maintain a high level of quality. Scheduled laboratory work, exercises, group discussions, supervision, presentations, seminars as well as excursions are mandatory.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
The course examination consists of seminars and written and oral reporting of project work. To achieve the credits for the course, students must obtain a pass grade in the project assignment and other assignments, and participate actively in seminars, exercises and study trips.
- If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
- The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
- If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Biosystems and Technology
Further information
Grading criteria
BI1233 Grading criteria (2020-10-31)
Course goals – After the course the student will be able to:
1. Choose and justify his/her choice of a hydroponic system and technical solutions for a specific growing site or cultivation situation.
2. Discuss the environmental impact of hydroponic systems from a sustainability perspective.
3. Discuss methodology for setting up, planting/establishment, maintenance and harvest of hydroponic systems.
4. Describe the properties of relevant substrates used in hydroponic systems
5. Describe how water and plant nutrients can be regulated in hydroponic systems and be able to calculate water and nutrient requirements
6. Predict plant responses to various control and regulatory measures in hydroponic systems.
7. Identify critical factors in hydroponic systems, including water quality and the incidence of disease agents, and be capable of prioritising control measures.
8. Apply their knowledge in anticipating, preventing and managing technical disruptions in hydroponic systems.
|
Examination |
Weight, % |
Betyg 3 |
Betyg 4 (utöver betyg 3) |
Betyg 5 (utöver betyg 4) |
|
Case 1 (individual) |
0 |
Presented according to instructions |
- |
- |
|
Case 2 (in pairs) |
0 |
Presented according to instructions |
- |
- |
|
Literature exam (individual) |
30 |
At least 60 % of max points |
At least 75 % of max points |
At least 85 % of max points |
|
Literatur - report (individual) |
30 |
Presented oraly and with a written report according to instructions. Opposed on one paper and actively taken part in the seminars. Handed in a final paper with any feedback taken into account. |
Delivery of written report on time. Active and constructive opponentship. Are able to answer questions, explain and reason about the subject of the report. Handed in the final version on time after corrections. |
Have high ability to extensively and independently reason about the subject from different perspectives.
Refer to other work in a correct and extensive way.
|
|
Production lab (group) |
25 |
Presented according to instructions. Followed the instructions for the written laboratory report and has submitted any additions or corrections. |
Delivery on time. The results are compiled and presented correctly and pedagogically. Show good understanding about how the approach and technology has affected the outcome of the trial. |
Have a high ability to analyse the technology/approach and the results of the trial. Can give suggestions on relevant measures to improve the implementation and thus the results. |
|
Additional 2 labs. (Group) |
15 |
Followed the instuction for the labb and handed in a report according to instructions. |
Handed in the report in time. Any additions are delivered on time.
|
Show a good ability to analyse the outcome of the lab in relation to the technique. Can give suggestions of measures to take to improve the results. |
Litterature list
- Soilless Culture: Theory and Practice, second ed. Författare: Raviv, MJ, Lieth, JH and Bar-Tal A ISBN: 978-0-444-63696-6 Kommentar: The first edition of this book can be found as a free e-book, but the new edition has been thoroughly revised and added to: https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780444529756/soilless-culture
- Hydroponic Food Production Författare: Resh, Howard ISBN: 978-1-4398-7867-5 Kommentar: Reference literature
- Hydroponic Production of Vegetables and Ornamentals Författare: Savvas D, Passam H ISBN: 960-8002-12-5 Kommentar: Reference literature
One copy available at the department
- Sustainable systems for integrated fish and vegetable production Författare: Alsanius et al. Kommentar: Reference literature
Available as pdf on Canvas