Introduction to Plant Science Horticulture Word first used

Introduction to Plant Science

Horticulture • Word first used in 1600’s • Comes from two Latin words – Hortus “Garden” – Cultura “Cultivation” • Horticulture means “cultivated garden” or “culture of garden plants” – NOW MANY more “branches”…. TPS

Life Sciences • Biology is the branch of science that deals with both plant and animal organisms and life processes. – Zoology is the part of biology that deals with animals. – Botany is the part of biology that deals with plants.

Horticulture • The science and practice of growing, processing and marketing fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.

Agronomy • The science and practice of growing field crops such as cotton, wheat, tobacco, corn and soybeans.

Branches of Horticulture • Olericulture – Study and growing of vegetables • Pomology – Study and growing of fruits and nuts • Viticulture – Producing grapes and grape products

Branches of Horticulture • Viticulture – The growing and study of grapes or vines. • Floriculture – The growing and study of flowers.

Branches of Horticulture • Greenhouse Management – The growing and study of plants in greenhouses. • Turfgrass Management – The growing and study of turfgrasses. This includes home, municipal, and commercial lawns; sports turf maintenance; highway rights-of-way; and seed and sod production.

Branches of Horticulture • Nursery Management – The growing and study of trees and shrubs that are produced primarily for landscape purposes. • Arboriculture – The growing and study of trees. – Known as silviculture in forestry. – Synonymous with urban forestry.

Branches of Horticulture • Landscape Horticulture – The application of design and horticultural principles to placement and care of plants in the landscape. • Interiorscaping – The application of design and horticultural principles to placement and care of plants in indoor environments.

Branches of Horticulture • Horticultural Therapy – The use of horticultural plants and methods as therapeutic tools with disabled and disadvantaged people.

Discuss with the people around you which branch of horticulture would be the best fit for you and why – be able to provide evidence to prove your point

What is the history of taxonomic classification? • Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming organisms • A. The Greeks made the first attempts at taxonomy nearly 2, 000 years ago, but their efforts were limited, with no definite system of naming living things.

Why are plants classified and named? • Some plants have more than one common name – Ex: Snake Plant, Mother in Laws Tongue • Some common names refer to more than one plant – Ex: Ivy • Easier for all people to identify and recognize

Binomial System of Naming Plants • Traditional scientific names were too long… ex: cat nip = Nepeta floribus interrupte spicatis pedunculatis • Famous Swedish Botanist, Linnaeus simplified this by developing binomial (two name) system. • Two Latin names = scientific name – ex: cat nip = Nepeta cataria

Saintpaulia Ionantha ‘Elisabeth’

What is the history of taxonomic classification? Binomial Name (Scientific Name) – The first name (the genus) is always capitalized, while the second name (the species) is never capitalized. – Both names should be italicized In 1969, scientist Robert Whittaker proposed five kingdoms into which all living organisms could be classified. Still in use today.

Taxonomic Classification • Taxonomic classification is considered hierarchical. Works from the top down or from the bottom up. – Kingdom – Division (phylum) – Class – Order – Family – Genus – Species

Activity With a partner develop a acronym or saying to help you remember the taxonomical classification levels. Write your final version in your note and on the colored piece of paper. We will share with the class.

Taxonomic Classification • Taxonomic classification is considered hierarchical. Works from the top down or from the bottom up. – Kingdom – Division (phylum) – Class – Order – Family – Genus – Species

Morphology • Classification is based largely on morphology, which is the study of the internal and external appearance of an organism. – In the case of plants, the structure of flowers and fruit (and to some extent leaves, buds, roots, and stems) is considered.

Dichotomous Key • Taxonomic keys are useful in separating dissimilar organisms for the purpose of identification. They are based on plant structures. – One such key, a dichotomous key, is a written set of choices that leads to the name of a plant.

Activity With a partner create a Dichotomous Key for any set of unknown items. • Remember to start with most obvious choices and work down to more specific • Only TWO options per “line” • Can be any item (classmates, locker items, dairy cattle breeds, northwoods baseball teams, etc. ) • We peer check the keys for accuracy.