LO2: Undertake

horticultural production
work as directed
 Common
Horticultural
production work
 HORTICULTURE
Itis an unfamiliar term to many people. Yet,
when they are told that caring for
houseplants, growing tomatoes in the
garden, and mowing the lawn are
horticultural activities, the term suddenly
becomes much clearer.
Horticulture is a segment of the agriculture
industry.

The term horticulture literally means the

culture of a garden.

Horticulture includes the production and use

of plants for food, comfort, and
beautification.
The area of science most closely associated
with horticulture is botany.
Botany is the study of plants and plant
processes.
The field of science that deals with the
cultivation of horticultural plants is known
as horticulture science.
Science is applied across the horticulture
industry. The application of science to
horticulture is called horticulture
technology. Successfully raising
horticultural plants takes more than just
daily watering.
Time, patience, and an understanding of
diverse scientific processes are needed to
produce optimal plant growth.
The horticulture industry is the combination
of scientific, technological, and production
activities that ensure the satisfaction of the
consumer.
The horticulture industry can be divided into
three areas: pomology, olericulture, and
ornamental horticulture.
POMOLOGY
Pomology is the planting, harvesting,
storing, processing, and marketing of fruit
and nut crops. Fruit crops include both large
and small fruits.

Examples of large fruits are peaches, apples,

and pears. Small fruits include strawberries,
raspberries, and blueberries. Almonds,
pecans, and walnuts are popular nut crops.
OLERICULTURE
The area of horticulture that involves the
production of vegetable food crops is
olericulture.
 Olericulture includes the planting,
harvesting, storing, processing, and
marketing of vegetable crops. Sweet corn,
tomatoes, snap beans, and lettuce are
examples of vegetable crops.
 Ornamental horticulture
The growth and use of plants for their
beauty is the area of horticulture known as
ornamental horticulture. Ornamental
horticulture involves the production and use
of woody and herbaceous plants. Because of
the use of green plants, the ornamental
horticulture industry is often referred to as
the “green industry.”
 Safe work Practices
Safe work practices are generally written
methods that define how tasks are
performed while minimizing risks to
people, equipment, materials, environment,
and processes.

 Safe Work Procedures are documented

procedures for performing tasks.
What is the purpose of Workplace safety
procedures and instructions?
 The purpose of a safe work procedure is to
reduce the risk to health and safety in the
workplace and reduce the likelihood of an injury
by ensuring that employees know how to work
safely when carrying out the tasks involved in
their jobs.
 Safe work procedures may also be called safe
work method statements (SWMS).
What are the different types of Workplace
safety procedures and instructions?
Handling chemicals – these involves procedures
on how to handle chemicals in workplace where
these are used.

Lifting and moving objects – are procedures

that pertain to how objects are to be lifted and
moved safely and without strain to the person or
worker.
What are the different types of Workplace
safety procedures and instructions?
Working at heights – these are procedures that
underscore what a worker must observe to keep
himself safe while working in an elevated structure
or environment.

Slips, trips and falls – are procedures that pertain to

safety procedures that should be in place to prevent
slips, trips and fall accidents in the workplace.
What are the different types of Workplace
safety procedures and instructions?
Housekeeping – are procedures that pertain to
how housekeeping activities should be done
while keeping in mind safety, health and well-
being of workers in a facility or workplace.

Electrical equipment – these are safety

procedures that pertain to the installation, repair
and maintenance of electrical equipment.
 What are the components or
elements of Workplace safety
procedures and instructions?
The following steps should be followed to
ensure a sound safe work procedure is
developed:

Observe the task/activities: It is

important to observe the task/activity
being performed the preferred way to
ensure safest method is documented.
The following steps should be followed to
ensure a sound safe work procedure is
developed:

Review associated legislative

requirements: Some task/activities are
governed by legislative requirements.
These must be considered when developing
a safe work procedure to ensure any legal
requirements are included.
The following steps should be followed to
ensure a sound safe work procedure is
developed:

Record the sequence of basic job steps:

write down the steps that make up the
task/activity.
The following steps should be followed to
ensure a sound safe work procedure is
developed:

Record potential hazards of each step:

Next to each step identify what may have
potential to cause injury or disease
The following steps should be followed to
ensure a sound safe work procedure is
developed:

Identify ways of eliminating and

controlling the hazards: list the measures
that need to be put in place to eliminate or
control any likely risk.
The following steps should be followed to
ensure a sound safe work procedure is
developed:

Test the procedure: Observe staff/student

following the safe work procedure
The following steps should be followed to
ensure a sound safe work procedure is
developed:

Obtain approval: Before the safe work

procedure can be used it must be approved
by each approver nominated.
The following steps should be followed to
ensure a sound safe work procedure is
developed:

Monitor and review: Make sure the

activity is supervised to ensure the
documented process is being followed.
 What terms are used when
developing Workplace safety
procedures and instructions?
Consultation and participation –
Management or the owners of a
business/organization must consult with
employees about OHS matters that can
directly affect them in the carrying out of
their duties.
Emergency situations/incidents – Any
situation that may arise unexpectedly that
could cause injury or harm to any person in a
workplace.

Employee and employer responsibilities –

Employees must take reasonable care to
ensure the safety of themselves and others,
and comply with all OHS requirements.
Hazard identification and risk control –
Identifying any hazard as a source of
potential harm to people, or damage to
property, and reducing risk.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) –

OHS concerns the health and safety of all
people in a workplace, including employers,
employees and visitors
Safe work practices and procedures –
These provide practical guidance to business
on how to fulfil their duty to provide a safe
and healthy workplace.

Workplace accidents, injury or

impairment – Unexpected events that cause
physical harm or damage to people or
property.
Proper use of horticultural
tools and equipment
In order to run an efficient enterprise the
horticulturist requires a range of materials
and equipment that will help to complete
jobs efficiently and within a structured time
frame. The equipment that is chosen will
depend on the size of the operation and the
amount of money available.
 How to Use Trimmers
As with all power tools, safe use is a priority,
especially if they’re used standing on a
ladder. Always be careful of sharp edges and
take extra care with electric trimmers. Don’t
use them in wet weather and make sure the
cord doesn’t become tangled or a tripping
hazard.
 Rotary Hoes/Rotavators
 Rotary hoes are used to loosen or cultivate soil,
making it easier to dig in or move about. They may
be self-propelled or driven by a "PTO" (Power Take
Off) attachment to a tractor or mini tractor. Self-
propelled machines normally use petrol engines and
move forward by rubber tire drive wheels or by
using the rotating blades to pull the machine. Most
need a reasonably strong and fit person to operate
them properly.
 Tractors
Modern farm tractors have continually
undergone changes and improvements,
which make them effective and up-to-date
agricultural power units. Changes have
helped to make the tractors more efficient,
safe, convenient, versatile and powerful.
There are tractors of all sizes, and developed
for every imaginable task available.
Tractors can be classified according to
wheel or track systems e.g. three-wheel;
two-wheel drive; four-wheel drive. They
can also be classified according to use and
size, e.g. industrial tractors; lawn and
garden tractors. Horticultural tractors are
machines capable of pulling, carrying and
operating a variety of implements and
machines.
 Pruning saw
Pruning saws - These generally have teeth
designed to cut moist living timber; the
teeth being generally larger than those on
saws used for cutting furniture or
construction timber.
There are two types of pruning saws:
 Straight bladed which allows variation in the type
of cut according to the type and size of the material
being cut.

 Curved blade with teeth on one side. This curved

saw is generally used by the experts because the
curved blade allows access to restricted areas such
as near closely interlocking branches.
 Sprayers
Sprayers are used for applying chemical sprays
(insecticides, fungicides and weedicides) or
liquid fertilizers. It is advisable to use a
different sprayer for each type of chemical.
(Weedicide residues left from previous spray
jobs can contaminate insecticides and damage
plants you spray for insects).
 Knives
Knives can be used for a variety of jobs in a
nursery including budding and grafting,
preparing cuttings, layering, dividing plants
and pruning. Because it is a small and
convenient tool many nursery workers carry
a knife at all times just in case they need it
for these or any other jobs.
With practice, a skilled nursery worker can
do most things with a knife that other
gardeners might need a pair of secateurs
for. It is best to use the appropriate knife
for the job at hand, and there are many
different types of knives. Knives can have
either fixed blades, folding blades or
disposable blades.
 Spades and shovels
Shovels are used for moving loose soil (or
some other loose material). Their blade is
cupped and at an angle inwards from the
line of the handle. A shovel is not designed
to dig. Spades are used for digging and
planting. The blade follows the same line as
the handle.
Spades and shovels can have short or long
handles, with the blade curved (i.e. round
mouth) or straight across the bottom (i.e.
square mouth).
Long-handled spades provide greater
leverage (placing less strain on the back) and
give greater reach (allowing you to dig deeper
holes). They are best suited for digging holes
or trenches, particularly in hard clay soils.
Short handle spades are better suited to use
in a confined spaces or for digging over
established garden beds with relatively loose
soil.
 Forks
Forks are used to cultivate (or mix) soil, or
to move organic material about (eg: turn
over a compost heap). The prongs of a fork
can either be round or flattened. Flattened
prongs are more suitable for moving organic
material about.
 Hoes
A hoe is used to cultivate (i.e. mix up or turn
over) soil. Soil is cultivated in order to either
kill weeds or to loosen the soil enabling
better penetration of air and water. A long-
handled hoe which has a handle the same
height as the user places least strain on the
user's back.
 There are two main types of hoes:
A vertical action hoe - which loosens the
soil and chops under the weed. These
include single prong or three prong hoes,
chip hoes and draw hoes.
A horizontal action - which moves through
the soil just below the surface. The top of the
weed is cut from the roots by the sharp
blade.
 Rakes
Rakes suffer a great amount of strain where
the head meets the handle, and along with
axes are perhaps the most likely tools to suffer
from broken handles.
The prongs (or teeth) of a rake also suffer a
great deal of strain (particularly if being used
to landscape a new garden). If landscaping a
new garden, get yourself the sturdiest rake you
can find - or else be prepared to go through
several rakes before the job is finished.
 Wheelbarrows
 When buying a wheelbarrow make sure the main
center of balance is over the wheel and not on your
arms and that you have plenty of leg room when
wheeling the barrow. Choose a solid, well-
constructed wheelbarrow. A well-built wheelbarrow
will last for several decades if properly maintained.
Keep tires pumped up, grease all moving parts,
wash out soil or rubbish after use and store out of
the weather.
 Weed Bags
Perforated plastic bags into which nursery
plants in pots are placed the plastic bags let
water and air in, but keep out light. They
are however quite labor-intensive. Weed
bags (non-perforated) are also used to
collect and dispose of noxious weeds in
forest and other environmentally sensitive
areas.
 Procedures for land preparation,
sowing/planting, crop maintenance,
fertilization, loading and unloading,
harvesting/picking, sorting and
packing
 LAND PREPARATION
 The purpose of land preparation is to provide the
necessary soil conditions which will enhance the
successful establishment of the young offshoots or
the tissue culture plants received from the nursery.
Considering the nature of the date palm, one cannot
"save" on this operation and hope for long term
sustainability of the plantation.
LAND PREPARATION
1. Field selection
The area selected for the establishment of the
date plantation can influence the cost of land
preparation to the extent that it may not be
viable to proceed with the development at all.
It includes
Availability of water
Soil depth
Soil quality
Soil Salinity or Acidity
LAND PREPARATION
2. Physical land preparation

Once a suitable area for establishing the

plantation is selected and the planning
operation is finalized, the actual preparation
can be activated. These activities are divided
to structure and pace the implementation
process in order to be ready for planting at
the most suitable time, according to the
specific regional climatic conditions.
LAND PREPARATION
2. Physical land preparation

It includes
Mechanical field preparation
Irrigation system installation
Soil improvement
Hole preparation
 PLANTING OPERATION
 This is probably the most critical phase in the
establishment of a new date plantation. Mistakes at
this point may lead to a poor survival rate of
offshoots or tissue culture-derived plants, regardless
of the efforts put in during the preparation phases.
The aim is to assist the date grower to execute the
planting operation in a way that will ensure a high
transplanting survival rate in the newly established
plantation.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 1. Plant spacing
It is difficult to prescribe a definite plant spacing but there are
specific factors influencing the spacing such as:
- to allow for sufficient sunlight when palms are tall;
- to allow for sufficient working space within the plantation;
and
- to provide sufficient space for root development.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 2.Time of planting
The critical factor is to transplant the young tissue culture date
palms or offshoots at that time of the year that will ensure a
good survival rate and proper establishment before the
beginning of a "hard" season.
PLANTING OPERATION

The planting operation is divided into different

activities which will be discussed separately.

 In most of the date regions in the northern hemisphere,

spring and autumn are preferred for the planting out of tissue
culture-derived date plants or offshoots. Spring avoids the
cold of winter and takes advantage of the warm weather that
encourages rapid growth, while autumn gives the young
shoot a longer time to establish itself before the heat of
summer.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 In the southern hemisphere the best time of establishment is

during autumn (February/March) because of the following
reasons:

- Winters are relatively frost free,

- Very high summer temperatures,
- Strong, dry winds during August-January, and
- Sand storms during the summer.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 In areas without extreme dry, hot summers and with severe

frost during winter it is recommended to plant during
August/September or at a time safe from the occurrence of
frost.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 3. Transplanting stage
Research has shown that the best field survival rate, as well as
early plant development, is obtained when the date tissue
culture plantlets are transplanted at the four (4) plus pinnae leaf
stage. Plants received from a tissue culture laboratory normally
only have juvenile leaves or one pinnae leaf at the most. These
plants are thus too small to be transplanted into the field.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 3. Transplanting stage
It is therefore necessary to include a hardening-off phase for
plant development which also allows some time for plants to
adapt to local climatic conditions. This results in the young
plants being kept in the farm nursery for a period
(approximately 8-12 months), until the sufficient number of
pinnae leaves have developed before transplanting takes place.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 3. Transplanting stage
Regarding offshoots, it is highly recommended to ensure their
rooting in the nursery after separation from the plant mother (at
least 10 to 12 months). It is not recommended to plant an
offshoot directly after its separation.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 4. Planting time and depth

Planting should always be initiated early in the morning to limit
stress on the date plantlets and also to allow sufficient time for
adaptation (from the plastic bag to the soil). Bags are to be
removed with care and the plant, with most of its surrounding
substrate, to be planted carefully.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 4. Planting time and depth

Planting is probably the area where most people make the vital
mistake of planting the plant too deep. The planting depth is
critical because the "heart" of the plant should never be covered
with water. Once the plant is covered with water the growing
point rots and the plant dies off. If a date plant is planted too
shallow, its roots will desiccate and die.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 4. Planting time and depth

The golden rule is to ensure that the greater diameter of the
bulb of the plant is at the same level as the soil surface after
transplanting and to ensure that water does not go over the top
of the date plant.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 5. Basin preparation
Immediately after transplanting, a basin is prepared around the
palm to prevent run-off and to ensure a sufficient supply of
water to the plant. When using a micro irrigation system, it is
recommended to have a basin of approximately 3 m in diameter
and 20 to 30 cm deep. The basin should have a slight
downward slope towards the plant to allow the water to reach
the root system of the young plant.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 6. Mulching
The benefits of organic material were highlighted when land
preparation, as part of the plantation development, was
discussed. The mulching is done by putting a layer of organic
material (e.g. wheat straw) around the base of the palm.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 6. Mulching
Mulching of the basin has the following advantages:
- Limits water loss from the soil through evaporation;
- Prevents crust formation;
- Allows better water penetration into the soil:
- Limits weed growth around the plant; and
- Improves the humus content of the soil.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 7. Irrigation
Immediately after transplanting, the palm should be irrigated to
limit transplant stress. Once the plantation is established, a
frequent irrigation schedule is to be followed to allow sufficient
water supply to the young date palm.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 7. Irrigation
The irrigation frequency is soil type dependent, but on very
sandy soils it requires daily irrigation during the first summer.
Heavy soils will require irrigation once a week, while in most
soils, irrigation is required every second or third day. During
the first six weeks, the date growers should inspect their
planted date palms to verify that the surface soil does not dry
and shrink away from the plant.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 8. Protection
Tissue culture-derived plants and young offshoots should be
protected from harsh climatic conditions (sun and wind during
the first summer and cold the following winter) and against
some animals (rabbits, etc.). The use of a hessian wrapping, a
shade net cover, or a tent of date leaves is recommended. The
top is to be left open so that new growth may push out.
PLANTING OPERATION
The planting operation is divided into different
activities which will be discussed separately.

 9. Aftercare

Beside irrigation applications, the annual fertilization schedule,

weeding and mulching, the date grower should, for at least the
first 10 to 12 months, keep an eye on the plantation in order to
detect and consequently correct any adverse situations.
 FERTILIZATION
REQUIREMENTS
 The initial land and orchard preparation aims at
preparing the soil for establishment of the young
tissue culture date palm or offshoots, but does not
ensure proper establishment and growth after
transplanting. A fertilization program should be
included in the date plantation establishment phase
for optimum growth.
 FERTILIZATION
REQUIREMENTS
 The importance of a fertilization program at and
after transplanting is to provide in the nutrient needs
of the young tissue culture plants or the offshoots,
to ensure rapid growth in preparation for the first
production season. An under-developed plant will
not have the capacity to reach its production
potential at an early stage.
 FERTILIZATION
REQUIREMENTS
 Inorder to ensure strong, healthy plants for
transplanting and to shorten the period in the
nursery, (approximately six to eight months instead
of eight to ten months), a fertilization program is
recommended.
 HARVESTING
Different kinds of fruits need different
methods of harvesting.
Some fruits are easily pulled, although there
is possibility of tearing off a piece of flesh
and/or ding. Some fruits are harvested with
stalk with aid of clipper or shear, where the
stalk may be source of damage especially
during packaging.
 HARVESTING
 Fruitsat higher branches are harvested with long a
hold with a bag (mango). Fruits may be caught as it
fall using mechanical harvesters. The best means of
reaching high fruits is with a ladder.

 Inbanana the trunk is cut with a sickle over half

way through and then the bunch is cut. About 30
cm. of the stalk must be left to make the handling
easy.
 HARVESTING
 Citrusfruits are very much susceptible to damage
while harvesting. During wet and humid condition
the rind will be turgid and liable to bruising or tear-
off rind is common if the fruits are pulled.

 The post-harvest quality and storage life of fruits

are controlled by maturity. Vegetables are harvested
as and when they attain maximum size and yet are
tender.
Over Maturity in root crops causes
sponginess and pithiness. Delay in
harvesting of onion and garlic reduces
their storage quality.
 When to Harvest Horticulture
Crops?
During cooler part of the day (in morning).
Do not harvest in hot period, cause wilting
and shriveling.
Harvesting during rains or immediately
after rains should not be carried out
 When to Harvest Horticulture
Crops?
 Citrus fruit become susceptible to damage if
harvested during rains, as their rind becomes turgid
and prone to easy bruising sunscald.
 No any bruising or injurious during harvesting may
later manifest as black or brown patches, e.g. Latex
coming out of stem in mango should not be allowed
to fall on fruits as creates a black spot.
 Post - Harvest Handling
 Care in harvesting and handling is necessary to
preserve subsequent quality of fruits and
vegetables, faulty harvesting and rough handling at
the farm directly affect market quality.

 Oilgummosis is common peel injury of citrus fruits

(causing extensive losses) which mostly occurs at
harvest, if not done carefully.
 Post - Harvest Handling
 Mechanical injury to the rind forces the oil out of
the epidermal oil glands, which kills adjacent cells
of the flavor and also causes soil spotting on the
surface of adjacent undamaged fruit.

 When put together cells killed by oil are readily

infected by fungi resulting in increased decay. Oil
spotting can be reduced or eliminate by good
handling practices.
 Post - Harvest Handling
Bruises and injurious later show up as brown
and black patches making the commodities
unattractive and physiological disordered.
Rough handling on produce is cumulative.
Several small bruises on a tomato can
produce an off-flavor for consumers.
 Post - Harvest Handling
Entries to micro- organism leading to rotting.
Respiration is increased markedly by
damages and storage life is shortened. Lack
of knowledge in harvesting and handling
results in substantial loss of fruits and
vegetables.
 GRADING, SORTING & SIZING
 Grading, sorting, and sizing are based on soundness,
firmness, cleanliness, size, weight, color, shape,
maturity, diseases, insect damage and mechanical
injury. They are grouped in size.
 This is an important procedure to be followed in
post- harvest handling, before packaging storage,
transport or marketing to minimize loss and maintain
quality.
 GRADING, SORTING & SIZING:
Additional operation
 Along with grading, certain additional operation
which include washing, pre cooling, degreening,
curing, waxing, fungicidal and other chemical
treatment are also essential preparatory steps to
packaging , storage transportation and subsequent
marketing, washing, improves appearance, remove
dirt, soil, scale insect, sooty mold, fungicide and
insecticide residues.
 GRADING, SORTING & SIZING:
Additional operation
 Detergentare added to water for effectiveness
washing. The excess of surface water is dried by
blowing heated air.
 GRADING, SORTING & SIZING:
Pre-cooling
Pre-cooling is done to remove field heat as
high temperature is detrimental to the
keeping quality of fruits and vegetables.
General aims are to slow down the
respiration minimize the susceptibility to
micro-organism and reduce water loss.
 GRADING, SORTING & SIZING:
Pre-cooling
 Several methods used are
 (a) air -cooling,
 (b) hydro cooling- fungicides can be added in cooling
water.
 (c) vacuums cooling- most rapid methods of pre
cooling, especially, for leafy vegetables curing-
certain vegetables like onion have to be cured after
harvest before storage and transport marketing.
 GRADING, SORTING & SIZING:
De-greening
 Incertain cases development of ripe color by
degrading the green colors is induced usually by the
treatment with ethylene under controlled
temperature and humidity and O2 and CO2
concentration e.g. Banana, Mango, Citrus and
Tomato.
 GRADING, SORTING & SIZING:
Waxing
Waxing is done to reduce the evaporation
loss of water from the fruits and vegetables
thereby increasing the storage life.
It gives a fresh glossy appearance which
improves the market value.
 GRADING, SORTING & SIZING:
Waxing
Recommended fungicides can be added to
the wax to reduce the spoilage buy fungus.
The wax replaces the natural protecting waxy
layer which is removed by handling,
washing, etc. CFTRI Mysore, has developed
a wax emulsion (Waxol-123) for waxing of
fruits and vegetables.
 PACKAGING
Packaging is done for more efficient
handling and marketing, greater appeal,
more potential life. Packaging requirement
vary with different fruits and vegetables.
Packaging cannot improve quality. Hence
only best possible produce should be
packed.
 PACKAGING
Inclusion of decayed or damaged produced
in bulk or consumer packages may become
a source of infection and reduce the sale at
the market. Packaging is not a substitute for
refrigeration; packaging combined with
refrigeration is the best methods.
 PACKAGING
A good package is aim to protection of
product from physical. Physiological and
pathological deterioration causes
throughout storage, transport and market.
 Planting,picking, packing,
loading and transporting
techniques
 PLANTING
Various methods of planting are practiced in
crop farming. These can be put under broad
classifications such as direct seeding vs.
transplanting, direct planting vs. indirect
planting, and manual vs. mechanized
planting.
 PLANTING
 In general, a farmer who intends to raise a crop
has to choose between these two methods of
planting: direct seeding and transplanting.
 To briefly distinguish, direct seeding means
planting at the crop area with the use of seeds
while transplanting is planting with the use of
pre-grown seedlings or plants that had been
propagated from seeds.
 PLANTING

 Crop area is here meant to refer to any space

intended for the growing of crops for the purpose
of harvesting some products.
 PICKING
The crop type and expected harvest volume
will determine the harvesting method that is
to be used. Certain crops are harvested by
hand, while others are harvested either
manually or mechanically. Hand harvesting
usually provides a better quality product
than mechanical harvesting.
 PICKING
Harvesting by hand is however more time
consuming and expensive than mechanical
harvesting and is not always practical or
economical feasible.
 PICKING
The harvesting method to be used is also
affected by the area (size of the field) to be
harvested. A farmer might easily be able to
harvest half a hectare of maize by hand, but
it is not possible hundreds or even
thousands of hectares are to be harvested.
 PICKING
Crops that are exported as fresh produce,
including most of the tree fruit and vegetables,
are traditionally harvested by hand. The
quality of fruit and vegetables play an
important role in their marketing and thus the
amount of damage should be minimized.
Physical damage also leads to shortened
produce shelve life.
 PACKING
 There are as many types of packages available as
there are products to put in them. Packaging
systems are available in a variety of materials
such as plastic, corrugated fiberboard, wood, and
even sustainable materials such as bioplastics and
fibers that decompose.
 PACKING
 One of the most common plastic packaging containers is the
clear clamshell, manufactured from polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) and other plastics using mechanical or vacuum
thermoforming.

 Although plastic containers are necessary for certain

commodities, corrugated and non-corrugated fiberboard is the
dominant material used in fresh produce packaging. Wooden
containers, usually wire bound, are a traditional form of
produce packaging.
Packaging plays an important role
in the fruit and vegetable
distribution chain.
According to Watkins and Nock (2012),
packaging serves four main functions:

Containment. Containment is the basic

requirement for movement of a product from
one point to another. The package type and
size will be a function of the product and
market requirements.
According to Watkins and Nock (2012),
packaging serves four main functions:

Protection and Preservation. Packages

provide protection for the product against
environmental factors such as dust and
water, as well as impact and compression
bruising, and friction injuries that can occur
during handling and transport.
According to Watkins and Nock (2012),
packaging serves four main functions:
Convenience. Products are packaged in sizes
convenient for handlers and for the consumer.
Consumer packages are often contained
within larger containers for transport because
of economies of scale. The product may be
removed from the container and placed in a
display as single consumer units, or
repackaged for sale.
According to Watkins and Nock (2012),
packaging serves four main functions:
Communication. In addition to advertising
the type and source of the product, the
package lists gross and net package weight,
unit size of the product, and any additional
information required by government
regulations.
 LOADING AND TRANSPORTING

Temperature management is critical during

long distance transport, so loads must be
stacked to enable proper air circulation to
carry away heat from the produce itself as
well as incoming heat from the atmosphere
and off the road.
 LOADING AND TRANSPORTING

- Transport vehicles should be well

insulated to maintain cool environments for
pre-cooled commodities and well ventilated
to allow air movement through the produce.
 LOADING AND TRANSPORTING

- During transport, produce must be

stacked in ways that minimize damage, and
then be braced and secured. An open air
vehicle can be loaded in such a way that air
can pass through the load, and provide
some cooling of the produce as the vehicle
moves.
 LOADING AND TRANSPORTING

- Traveling during the night and early

morning can reduce the heat load on a
vehicle that is transporting produce.
- Drivers of vehicles used for shipping
produce must be trained in how to load and
handle their cargoes.
 Environmental aspects of
horticultural production work
Horticultural production is primarily
involved in the intensive use of resources,
such as land, water, labor and inputs such
as fertilizers and pesticides.
The use of such resources in a concentrated
space and time has the potential to
negatively impact on the local environment
and worker welfare.
In addition the transport of horticultural
produce over long distances, particularly
by air transport, and reported in term of
food miles, is known to have a negative
contribution to the global environment.
 The contribution made by horticulture to global
warming and climate change is through the
processes of energy combustion, transportation,
refrigerated storage and inorganic inputs.

 The effects of the environmental impact of

horticulture production are entering a cyclical
relationship with the impact on horticulture from
environmental change.
How is horticulture beneficial to the
environment?
 Plants can be used for personal benefit in
recreational settings such as golf courses and public
parks.
 Biological benefits of horticulture include the use
of plant parts to help prevent erosion, slow water
runoff, absorb, control dust, and provide wildlife
habitat.
 Landscaping can also help improve the value of
real estate by increasing the beauty of an area.
 How can horticulture damage the
environment?

Many horticultural practices require the

disruption of the earth and the application
of chemicals. If not applied as directed,
these chemicals are considered pollutants.
Pollution is a hazard of horticultural
practices.
These practices, and others, can cause harm
to the environment if not practiced
carefully. Improper management and
excessive or improper use of chemicals or
water supplies are examples of ways
horticulture can damage the environment.
Pollution occurs when harmful or degrading
materials get into the environment. Pollution
can be from point or nonpoint sources.
1. Point source pollution comes from
sources that are easily identified such as large
factories. This type of pollution is easier to
control than nonpoint source pollution.
Pollution occurs when harmful or degrading
materials get into the environment. Pollution
can be from point or nonpoint sources.
2. Nonpoint source pollution is more difficult to
control. Nonpoint source pollution can come from
few to many different sources. This type of pollution
can occur naturally with rainfall or as a result of
human activity such as pesticide poisoning in aquatic
animals.
 Interpersonal
relationships and
communication (oral and
written)
As agricultural producers strive to improve
production methods and productivity, they
shouldn’t forget that communication skills
can help get the job done.
The first step to ensure that your farm is
moving in the right direction is to
continually work on the communication
methods that take place on and around your
facility.
Whether it is issues such as discipline,
training employees, motivating a work
force, implementing a new technology or
practice, communication is still a key
factor in any successful farming
operation.
 Theimportance of communication needs to be
viewed as a core value in your farming business.
Effective communication is something that should
be expected, routine and rewarded.

 Simple steps to improve communication on your

farm can be taken by removing communication
barriers, maintaining composure in all situations
and removing misconceptions that may have been
generated for farm.
Gaining a strong understand of both verbal
and non-verbal communication methods
will help employees in a leadership
position relate to their employees and
improve the production of the farm, along
with the job satisfaction level for
employees.
A better method of communication can
also be utilized by implementing the use
of different communication instruments
such as charts, flag systems and meetings
to help strength the understanding of the
protocols, goals and expectations of the
farm.