Chapter 14 Term paper topics
14.1 Introduction to horticulture
1. Horticultural vs. agricultural staple crop research capacity and funding - a comparison
This term paper compares available research capacity and funding for horticultural crops and staple crop agriculture. This evaluation can focus on a particular geographic context, for which it summarizes the research landscape (universities, other institutes) and funding streams.
2. Horticultural diversity and its regions of origin
This paper summarizes the evidence on the diversity of horticultural crops that humanity makes use of. It also reviews the literature on the geographic (and possibly cultural) origins of this diversity.
14.2 Temperate fruits
3. Current research on foliar fertilization in pome fruit production
Foliar fertilization is a widely used practice in pome fruit production. However, some experts argue that its benefits are often overestimated. In this term paper, provide a brief overview of the principles of foliar fertilization, including the mechanisms of nutrient uptake through leaves and the nutrients that are commonly applied as foliar sprays. Subsequently, review and summarize current research on foliar fertilization in pome fruit production. Describe the foliar fertilization strategies that have been investigated and the effects that have been observed on trees and fruits. How consistent are the reported results across different studies? Finally, critically discuss the practical relevance of the research findings for commercial fruit production.
4. Fruit doubling in stone fruits
Double fruits may appear attractive at first glance when observed in the orchard, but they are not marketable and therefore represent a major challenge in stone fruit production. In this term paper, provide a brief overview of the physiological background of fruit doubling in stone fruits. Explain how double fruits develop and which factors (e.g., environmental conditions and cultural practices) contribute to their formation. Which management strategies can help fruit growers reduce the incidence of double fruits, and how effective and feasible are these strategies under commercial orchard conditions?
5. Factors influencing consumer preferences and apple purchase decisions
Consumer preferences play a crucial role in the success of apple varieties on the market. While growers and breeders often focus on yield, disease resistance, and fruit quality, consumers ultimately decide whether a new variety will be successful. In this term paper, you should provide an overview of the factors that influence consumer preferences when purchasing and consuming apples. Review and summarize current research on consumer preferences for apple fruit quality, including sensory attributes such as sweetness, acidity, texture, juiciness, aroma, and appearance, as well as non-sensory attributes such as origin, sustainability, production system, and branding. Discuss whether consumer preferences differ among countries, cultures, or consumer groups. Finally, evaluate how consistent the research results are and which characteristics breeders and fruit growers should prioritize to improve the market acceptance of new apple varieties.
14.3 Berries
6. Flower drop and poor fruit set in grapes and currants: Causes, consequences, and control strategies
In commercial grape and currant production, large-scale failure of flowers to develop into berries (commonly referred to as “coulure” or “shatter”) represents a major challenge that can markedly reduce yields. In this paper you will explore the physiological basis of flower drop and poor fruit set in these crops, with particular attention to the processes of flower abscission. The discussion will highlight the influence of carbohydrate availability, hormonal regulation, and pollination success as key determinants of fruit set. In addition, the paper will review management strategies designed to mitigate yield losses, providing insights into both vineyard and currant orchard practices.
14.4 Fruit Production in the Southern Hemisphere
7. Irrigation Management: Physiological and Productive Effects on Mediterranean Fruit Trees
Water management is one of the most critical factors determining yield and fruit quality. Higher yields and larger fruit size are mainly influenced by the amount and timing of water supplied during the growing season. In this paper, you will review the physiological responses related to photosynthesis, vegetative growth, fruit growth, development and composition, and yield in temperate fruit trees under drought conditions, as well as the potential consequences on productivity in the subsequent season. Also you should review which strategies are effective to avoid the negative effect of drought and increase the Water use efficiency (WUE).
14.5 Agroforestry
8. The challenges of agroforestry modeling
Modeling agroforestry systems are more complex than monocultures, so they have presented considerable challenges to the modeling community. This term paper outlines these challenges and reviews how they have been addressed in previous modeling attempts.
9. Barriers to agroforestry adoption in Germany (or elsewhere)
Many experts agree that agroforestry systems can offer environmental, economic and social benefits to farmers. Yet adoption rates often remain low due to an array of barriers that keep farmers from integrating trees with other agricultural practices. This term paper reviews these barriers and proposed ideas for overcoming them.
10. Agroforestry in Germany (or elsewhere) - present distribution expansion potential
Agroforestry has gained traction in many places, yet its spread in Germany (and many other countries) has been slow. This term paper reviews what types of systems exist and where they can be found (possibly using case studies). It also speculates on the potential distribution within this geographic region.
14.6 Global horticulture for SDGs
11. The contribution of horticulture to the Sustainable Development Goals with a specific focus on SDG 2
In this term paper you will look into the various contributions horticultural production, processing and consumption make towards achieving the SDGs. You will also take a critical look into possible detrimental developments.
12. The Sustainable Development Goals and German policy on agroforestry
In this term paper you will look into the implications of SDG relevant German policy and how it relates to horticulture, in particular agroforestry production systems.
14.7 From Greenhouse Production to Plant Factories
13. Can plant factories safe the world?
In this term paper you should evaluate which crops are already produced in plant factories (here used as a general term for all indoor farms, vertical farms, or controlled environment farms) and which crops are challenging. For crops already produced in plant factories compare yields and / or energy consumption to conventional farming systems. For crops not produced so far, discuss the challenging factors within a plant factory and how they could be solved.
14. For heaven`s sake use LED - the challenges in lighting
One main advantage of greenhouse production is control of environmental conditions. Lighting is not only responsible for plant growth and performance yielding in an horticultural produce. Lighting can also control the quality of produce, it could support plant growth depending on growth stage. So the challenge is, what is the optimal lighting? This term paper should focus on LED lighting. How could we control plant performance and quality by light?
15. It’s all about energy - how photovoltaic can be used for greenhouses and plant factories
Greenhouse production and plant factories depend on energy for light and heating. In this term paper it should be discussed which role photovoltaic will have for a more sustainable plant production. Would this makes a year-round production possible? Discover possible new trends how photovoltaic could be used in the future.
14.9 New plants for a future-competent horticultural production
18. New Crop case study
Which crop could be cultivated in German, which is traditionally not grown here. Re-think horticultural production and imagine what crops could be cultivated here in future. Consider that the production system is constantly improved, new technologies will emerge. Try to find a case where a business case could be possible. Or explore a new crop and which factors have to be considered.
19. Future-competent production systems
Think beyond classical production in the field or greenhouse, think ahead of vertical farms. What makes horticultural production sustainable, smarter for the future. What is about integration of a.i. technologies, digital tools or Internet of Things. Will new technologies overcome old obstacles of production. Where could “Horticulture” be in 10 years from now and what should it deliver to the society? Try to find pieces of evidence in the literature.
14.10 Safeguarding Plant Health in Horticulture
20. How to protect plants in future?
Climate change will cause dramatic changes in horticulture. Horticultural production will move more and more to protected cultivation (e.g. tunnels, greenhouses). With that change in production new challenges in diesease management will arise. How we could protect our plants in future against climate change, weather extremes (e.g. drought) and new threats caused by insects or pathogens? In this term paper it should be analysed how climate change forced developments in horticulture (protected cultivation) and how this will affect disease management.
21. Biostimulants and Biorationals as new and emerging tools in plant health
Biostimulants and biorationals are “new” ways to strengthen plants to improve growth and tolerance against environmental stress (biostimulants) or to protect plants in an environmental friendly way against pest and diseases to replace synthetic chemicals. In this term paper the different approaches will be discussed. What are the differences between biostimulants and biorationals? How could they be used effectively to strengthen plant health? A critical review of literature based on examples like humic acid (as biostimulant) or drying linseed oil (as biorational).
14.11 Climate change and horticulture
Please contact me if you’re interested in any of these, and I’ll give you details
22. Climate change impacts on fruit tree phenology
This term paper reviews the recent literature regarding climate change impacts on (temperate) fruit tree phenology and their possible implications for production.
23. Climate change impacts on (selected) horticultural pests and/or diseases
Eike Luedeling, Prajna Kasargodu Anebagilu
This term paper selects a specific pest or disease (or a group of pests and diseases) of selected horticultural crops and reviews the evidence on how climate change is expected to affect it. It also critically evaluates the reliability of these expectations and speculates on implications for future production.
24. The use of climate change denial strategies on other controversial issues
Eike Luedeling, Prajna Kasargodu Anebagilu
The optional literature discusses “climate change denial strategies” that opponents of aggressive mitigation actions are pursuing. This paper selects another important societal debate with relevance to horticulture or agriculture and looks for applications of similar strategies there.