With lab. Interrelationship of soils and higher plants. Physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Practical approach to current problems through basic soil principles. Prerequisite: some knowledge of chemistry.

With lab. Principles and practices involved in the establishment and management of deciduous orchards. Prerequisite: STOCKSCH102 (can be taken concurrently) or basic botany course.

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The ways in which water, light, and temperature influence plants, and the ways in which plants respond to changes in the environment. Emphasis on physical nature of these environmental factors. Seven-week course. Prerequisite: PLSOILIN 102.

Applied introduction to plant pathology in horticultural crops. Identification, description, and management of diseases in modern horticultural production. Chemical, biological, cultural, and genetic controls and their integration. Seven-week course. Prerequisite: PLSOILIN 102.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the prevention or suppression of pests (insects, mites, diseases, weeds and algae) by use of multiple management strategies that are effective, economically feasible, and safe for growers, consumers, and the environment. Focus on IPM strategies used in commercial greenhouse crop production. Emphasis on major greenhouse pests, including identification, life cycles, monitoring and management strategies. Seven-week course.

With lab. A field laboratory on the diagnosis and management of the health problems of woody plants. Students learn to recognize the major plant diseases of trees and shrubs using plant materials on campus. Disease management options presented on an individual basis in a clinical context. Prerequisite: STOCKSCH 111.

Independent work related to some area dealing with plant, soil or insect sciences. Prerequisites: permission of instructor and program coordinator.

Principles and practices governing the establishment and management of small fruit plantings. Prerequisite: (can be taken concurrently) or basic botany course.

With lab. An examination of sustainable farming systems for forage and field crop production. Cultural requirements and physiological responses of crops. Illustrations of concepts, discussions of topics and examination of distinguishing morphological characteristics of selected crop species. Prerequisite: STOCKSCH 108 or 100-level biology course or permission of instructor.

Topics include state and federal pesticide laws and regulations, pesticides and the environment, handling and storage of pesticides, classes and formulations of pesticides, safety and application equipment, understanding the pesticide label, toxicity, proper calculation and mixing of pesticides, and history of pesticide use. Includes preparation for the Massachusetts Pesticide Core Exam.

With lab. Principles of sustainable production of vegetable crops. Topics include specific practices used for the major vegetable crops grown in New England, water and soil fertility management, season extenders, and crop rotation. Course intended for students who want to grow vegetable crops or work in the vegetable industry. Prerequisite: STOCKSCH 108 or plant science course.