Program Requirements
This specialization provides students with the knowledge and skills relating to the biology and physiology, breeding, propagation, and management of domesticated plants. The plant industry, in both rural and urban settings, is a sector of growing importance to Canadian and global economies. Graduates are prepared for employment in horticulture or in field crop development, production, and management, in government services, extension, teaching and consulting; or for graduate and postgraduate studies. When taken in conjunction with the Major Agro-Environmental Sciences and the specialization in Professional Agrology, this specialization conforms with the eligibility requirements for the Ordre des agronomes du Québec.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (18 credits)
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PLNT 300 Cropping Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Application of plant science and soil science to production of agronomic and horticultural crops. Use and sustainability of fertilization, weed control, crop rotation, tillage, drainage and irrigation practices.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Smith, Donald L (Fall)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: AEBI 210
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PLNT 305 Plant Pathology (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : The theory and concepts of plant pathology, including the disease cycle, infection, symptoms, resistance, epidemiology and control. The biology and taxonomy of pathogens will be studied, including fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. Techniques of inoculation, isolation of pathogens from diseased plants, disease diagnosis and pathogen identification will be demonstrated.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Filion, Martin (Fall)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
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PLNT 310 Plant Propagation (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Principles and practical aspects of plant propagation are examined. The course consists of two parts. The first third deals with sexual propagation; the production, processing storage certification and analysis of seeds. The remaining two-thirds deals with vegetative propagation; cutting, budding, grafting, layering, and tissue culture.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Gravel, Valérie (Winter)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
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PLNT 353 Plant Structure and Function (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : The general anatomy and physiology of vascular plants with emphasis on how physiological processes influence function.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)
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PLNT 434 Weed Biology and Control (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : A study of the biology of undesirable vegetation as related to the principles of prevention and physical, biological, managerial and chemical control. Emphasis on the environmental impact of the different methods of weed control.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Winter)
Prerequisite: AEBI 210
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PLNT 435 Plant Breeding (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Principles and practices of plant breeding, including reproduction of crop plants; plant hybridization; sources of genetic variation; selection methods used for self- and cross-pollinated crops and for clonally reproduced crops; breeding for diseases and pest resistance; applications of biotechnology in plant breeding.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Hoyos-Villegas, Valerio (Winter)
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
6 credits of complementary courses selected from:
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AGRI 340 Principles of Ecological Agriculture (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Focus on low-input, sustainable, and organic agriculture: the farm as an ecosystem; complex system theory; practical examples of soil management, pest control, integrated crop and livestock production, and marketing systems.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Winter)
3 lectures and one 2-hour seminar
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 250
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ENTO 352 Biocontrol of Pest Insects (3 credits)
Overview
Entomology : Modern concepts of integrated control techniques and principles of insect pest management, with emphasis on biological control (use of predators, parasites and pathogens against pest insects), population monitoring, and manipulation of environmental, behavioral and physiological factors in the pest's way of life. Physical, cultural, and genetic controls and an introduction to the use of non-toxic biochemical controls (attractants, repellents, pheromones, antimetabolites).
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have previously taken ENTO 452
3 lectures
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PLNT 302 Forage Crops and Pastures (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Ecology, management, and physiology of forage crops with emphasis on establishment, growth, maintenance, harvesting, and preservation; value as livestock feed in terms of nutritional composition and role in environmental conservation.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Seguin, Philippe (Fall)
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PLNT 307 Agroecology of Vegetables and Fruits (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of selected vegetable and fruit agroecosystems. Includes selection of varieties and management from seedling to harvest to storage.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Gravel, Valérie (Fall)
Prerequisite: AEBI 210 or permission of the instructor
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PLNT 312 Urban Horticulture (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Selection, use and care of plants in urban environments for the benefit of urban populations: landscape design, turf and green space management, urban trees, green roofs and walls, design and management of community gardens, urban agriculture.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Wees, David (Winter)
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PLNT 322 Greenhouse Management (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : The production of major flower and vegetable crops in greenhouses. Includes greenhouse design, heating, ventilation, lighting, hydroponics, irrigation, fertilization, scheduling and integrated pest management.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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SOIL 535 Soil Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Soil Science : Exploration of the unique soil habitat for organisms with a focus on the variables that affect the abundance, diversity and interactions of soil biota and, in turn, their influence on soil physicochemical properties, biogeochemical cycles and other factors impacting ecosystem sustainability. Topics include survey of soil fauna, soil food webs, microbial ecology, biological carbon and nitrogen cycling, plant-soil interactions, and the effects of human activities and management on soil ecology, including synthesizing concepts and a critical analysis and interpretation of primary scientific literature in soil ecology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
