Develop a deeper understanding of seed propagation for professional development or to grow your own garden. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to undertake seed propagation for many professions confidently.
Certificate of Seed Propagation is a professional development course that provides the knowledge and skills to seed propagate successfully.
In this seed propagation course, you will learn about commercial seed propagation, including components of a greenhouse facility, pollination, reproduction and hybridising techniques, and disease control. You will also learn propagation techniques for various woody plants and climbers and how to manage germinated seedlings to optimise survival rate.
On completion of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to propagate plants from seeds.
Course Structure
Unit - Seed Propogation
Unit 1 – Introduction
- Scope of commercial seed propagation
- Seed growing methods
- General soil preparation
- Open ground production
- Controlled environment production
- What can you grow in a protected environment?
- Greenhouses uses
- Protected crops
- The greenhouse system
- The components of a greenhouse facility
- Types of greenhouses
Unit 2 – Seed Botany
- Structure and development of seeds
- Seed structure
- The storage tissues of seeds
- Hypogeal germination
- Epigeal germination
- Reproduction
- Three means of pollination
- Flower structure
- Phases of plant reproduction
- Fruits
- Modification of fruits
- Dry fruits
- Key to main types of fruits
- Maintaining genetic purity
- Methods to breed self-pollinated crops
- Importance of genetic purity to agriculture and horticulture
- Preventing cross-pollination
- Hand pollination
- Hybrid seed production
- Hybridising techniques a step-by-step program
Unit 3 – Seed Sources
- Sources of seed
- Seed collected from the wild
- Seed exchanges/seed banks
- Looking to the future
- Commercial seed suppliers
- Advantages and problems using commercial seed suppliers
- Why do plants produce so much seed
- What seed is best
- Reliability
- Age of parent plant
- Selecting a parent plant – what affects quantity of seed produced
- Collecting and harvesting wild seed – guidelines
- Selecting plants to collect from
- Timing for seed harvesting
- Methods of collecting
- Removing seeds
- Choosing seed plants for vegetable crops
- Collecting vegetable seeds
Unit 4 – Seed Storage
- Seed Storage Behaviour
- Accession
- Factors Affecting Storage of Seed
- Moisture Content
- Temperature
- Seed Storage Longevity
- Storage Processes
- Types of Seed Storage
- Open storage with no controls
- Cold moist storage
- Disease Control in Seeds
- Safety Procedures
- Germination Testing
- tests designed to evaluate the various qualities of the seed
- Warm Germination
- Cold Germination
- Accelerated Aging
- Tetrazolium (TZ) Test
- Excised Embryo Test
- Longevity of Some Vegetable Seed Species
- Approximate Number of Vegetable Seeds per Gram
Unit 5 – Dormancy
- Difficult Seeds to Germinate
- Endospermic Seeds
- Non Endospermic Seeds
- Dormancy factors affecting germination
- Seeds that are impermeable to water
- Mechanically Resistant Seed Coats
- Chemical Inhibitors
- Undeveloped Embryos
- Inhibiting Seed Layers
- Dormant Embryos Which Respond to Chilling
- Germinating Seeds
- reasons some seeds do not germinate
- Germination Treatments
- Soaking in Boiling Water
- Stratification or Moist Chilling
- The Bog Method
Unit 6 – Germinating Annuals, Perennials and Vegetables
- Germinating annuals, perennials and vegetables
- Sowing guidelines
- General characteristics of seed propagating media
- Physical properties
- Determining air space
- Chemical properties
- Biological properties
- Seed mixes
- How to sow seeds in containers
- Hygiene,light, photosynthesis
- Environmental factors which affect photosynthesis
- Lighting equipment
- Artificial light
- Heated propagators
- Sowing seed outdoors
- How to cultivate an area in preparation for seed sowing
- Sowing the seed
- Vegetable sowing and transplanting guide
Unit 7 – Selected Woody Plants
- Growing seedling rootstock
- Reasons for budding and grafting
- Disease resistance
- Examples of compatible rootstocks and scions
- Ornamentals
- Conifers
- Fruit and nuts
- The most used scion/rootstock combinations for citrus fruit trees
- Selected seedlingrootstock and suitable scions for a range of fruiting trees
- How to propagate selected ornamental trees
Unit 8 – Direct Seeding
- Revegetation – direct seeding of woody and other plant species
- Plant establishment considerations
- What to plant where
- Climate
- Microclimates
- Planting
- When to plant
- Frost and young plants
- Sun protection
- Fencing
- Wind protection
- Preparation of the land for pasture
- Sowing
- Germination
- Weed control
Unit 9 – Seedling Management
- Growing transplants
- Pricking out or tubing seedlings
- How to maintain plants in pots
- Feeding and watering
- Ventilation and light
- Temperature
- Growing-on areas for container plants
- Propagation aftercare – hardening off young plants
- Hardening-off methods
- Environmental influences on plants
- Transplanting seedlings into open ground
- Healthy seedling growth – nutrients
- Major elements
- Minor elements
- List of selected species
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:-
- Gardener
- Hobby gardener
- Horticulturalist
- Landscaper
- Nursery professionals
- Plant breeders
- Environmental/revegetation officers
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