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Berry Production

Berry Production 100 Hours Certificate Course

Course Code:

BHT309

Level:

Start:

Anytime

Finish:

Anytime

Study From:

Anywhere

Tutor Support:

Unlimited Access

Learn About Berry Production

Berry Production course online. Berry fruits are popular the world over. Some berries are grown widely, in different climates and countries (eg. strawberries), whilst others might be popular in some regions but not others. This course provides a sound broad based training for commercial growers and/or staff of berry farms. It is equally relevant to the enthusiast hobby grower who wants to get more serious about growing berry fruits.

Berry Production 100 Hours Certificate Course - ADL - Academy for Distance Learning

Course Information

Click the + and – below to expand/collapse the sections.

Lessons

Learning Goals

Practical (Set Tasks)

Practicals: Berry Production BHT309

This Hydroponic course would be suitable for:

Hydroponic Shop Managers and Staff,
Hydroponic Equipment and Materials Manufacturers and Suppliers
Other working alongside a hydroponic power supply

If you plan on studying this course, ensure that you do not study more than 1 of Hydroponic I and Home Hydroponics. The difference is that Home Hydroponics is a less intensive academic load and geared for more personal use, while Hydroponics I is a broad based course.

Distinguish between common and botanical definitions for the term berry.
Compare the botanical characteristics of berry fruits from four different taxonomic families.
Prepare a collection of twenty-five plant reviews of different berry varieties,including the following details on each plant:
- Plant names (Common and scientific)
- A photo, illustration or pressed specimen
- Cultural details
- Harvest and post harvest
- Uses (eg. valuable products).
Develop criteria for the selection of suitable berry fruit varieties.
Evaluate the performance of four different berry varieties.
Determine appropriate varieties of different berries to grow in a specified locality, considering a range of types, including:
- Strawberries
- Brambles
- Other berries.
Describe an appropriate planting method for each of three specified genera of berry fruits.
Illustrate an appropriate pruning methods for each of four different genera of berry fruits, using sequences of drawings, photographs, or video.
Determine appropriate irrigation practices for two different, specified berry plantings.
Develop feeding programs for a twelve month period, for three different berry crops suited to growing in a particular locality.
Conduct simple soil tests to determine soil characteristics relevant to a proposed berry planting. Soil tests should include:
- Soil type
- Water holding capacity
- pH
- Drainage
Recommend appropriate soil preparation for the tested soil, prior to planting a specified berry crop.
Compare four different weed control practices appropriate for specified berry crops.
Develop soil maintenance programs for a twelve month period, on a monthly basis, for different berry crops.
Identify different health disorders (e.g. pests and diseases) on berry plants.
Develop a pest and disease control program for a twelve month period, for a specified berry crop.
Describe different methods for propagating specified berry plants, including:
- Cuttings
- Runners
- Division
- Layering
Demonstrate cutting propagation of two different berry species.
Produce marketable berry plants representing different genera, either as bare rooted or container plants.
Compare the commercial viability of propagating one specified berry by two alternative propagation techniques.
Explain how to determine when different types of berries are ready for harvest.
Describe different methods for harvesting five different types of berries, including:
- Manual
- Mechanical
Explain the harvesting of five types of berries before they are ripe, and ripening of the berries off the plant.
Determine appropriate post-harvest treatments for a specified commercial berry crop.
Develop a resource file of different items of information relevant to the berry fruit industry, including:
- Suppliers of berry plants
- Trade or grower associations
- Publications
Determine criteria which are significant in the commercial success of a specific berry farm, which you either visit in real life or investigate on the internet.
Explain how a range of five different berries are prepared for the market.
Prepare a chart of ten different berry species that lists their shelf life.
Evaluate the commercial viability of three different methods of packaging and presenting berries for sale.
Compare common marketing strategies for berry fruits, including:
- Selling at wholesale markets
- Selling on contract to chain stores
- Selling to processors
- Roadside stalls
- U-pick selling

More Information

Assessment

How our courses work

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.

What's Included

Excerpt From The Course

Most berries are normally propagated by vegetative means. While it is possible to grow berry plants from seed, vegetative propagation ensures that the parent plant’s valuable qualities (such as fruit flavour or frost hardiness) are retained in the new plant stock.

SEXUAL AND ASEXUAL PROPAGATION

Sexual Propagation

Sexual propagation involves growing a plant from a seed or spore which has been produced by fertilization of the female part of one plant by the male part (usually of another plant). Plants grown this way can have some characteristics of one parent – and different characteristics from the other parent. A sexually propagated plant is not always exactly the same as the plant from which the seed or spores was taken.

Most flowering annuals, vegetables, biennials and perennials are grown this way. Ferns and some trees and shrubs are also grown sexually. Berry fruit sometimes grown sexually include the alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca). The blue berry can also be propagated this way but remember that the off-spring may not be true to type or be of high quality.

Asexual Propagation (Vegetative Propagation)

Propagation involves reproducing a new plant from only one parent. A part of an existing plant is treated in some way so that it can produce a new plant ie. asexual propagation involves growing a new plant from a piece of stem, leaf or root (or possibly all three).

Seed (Sexual) Propagation

Propagating plants from seeds is called sexual propagation.

Seeds however can be variable; in other words they may not always be a replica of the parent plant. The growth habit and colour may vary between plants grown from the same batch of seeds. This is brought about by a random combination of genetic material from the parents. The genetic make-up of each seed is unique. Plant breeders cross-pollinate plants that are genetically different deliberately in order to find interesting features this produces new varieties or cultivars.

In order for seeds to germinate they require:

1. Water and oxygen.

2. An appropriate temperature.

3. Sometimes light (depending on the species).

4. Viable seed.

Given the above, a seed will germinate readily and embryo will develop and the plant will grow. If a seed is not given these requirements or when one is lacking or insufficient the seed will not germinate.

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Berry Production