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. Seeded vs. Seedless: Comparative physiology of parthenocarpic and seeded fruits in fruit trees
In this paper, you will explore parthenocarpy as the development of fruits without fertilization, highlighting its occurrence in various fruit tree species (or maybe other horticultural plants) and its use in horticultural practice. The paper will review the general physiological and molecular mechanisms of parthenocarpy, compare parthenocarpic fruits with seeded fruits within the same species or cultivars, emphasizing differences in fruit set, anatomy, growth patterns, and quality traits such as size and shape. The paper will also address the practical implications of seedlessness for horticultural production, consumer preference, postharvest performance, and breeding strategies.
4. Chilling requirements and global warming: Can we adjust photoperiod to compensate for winter chill in plants?
Global warming is reducing the accumulation of chilling temperatures necessary for temperate fruit trees to break dormancy and flower properly. In this paper, you will investigate whether manipulating the photoperiod during the winter months could compensate for a lack of chilling. Review the biological and physiological processes behind photoperiod and dormancy in plants (with focus on fruit trees). Present you literature research on how light manipulation (e.g., shortened or extended daylight exposure, certain light spectra, etc.) might affect dormancy and whether the photoperiod can help adjust, reduce or replace chilling needs.
5. Influences of spring frost protection on the environment
Frost protection measures are great for reducing yield losses caused by spring frosts. But how do they influence the environment, within the orchard, in the surrounding area? You could also include social influences. Select a few frost protection measures and collect information, e.g. from scientific and practical literature, to give an overview about the side effects of frost protection.
6. Horticultural and technological approaches to enhance apple fruit coloration
This paper will introduce apple peel coloration as a key quality trait for red and bi-colored varieties, emphasizing its role in consumer preference, market value, and classification standards. It will briefly outline the physiological and biochemical basis of fruit color development, focusing on anthocyanin biosynthesis and its regulation by light, temperature, and genetic factors. It will then discuss horticultural practices and technological measures that can enhance peel reddening. Case studies and recent experimental findings will illustrate both the challenges and effective solutions.
14.3 Berries
7. 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 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.
14.5 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.
14.6 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.
14.8 New plants for a future-competent horticultural production
18. Vegetable production in Germany in the context of the current energy crisis
Vegetable production - especially year-round production under glass - is extremely energy-intensive and in many parts still based on fossil fuels. What does the current energy crisis mean for domestic vegetable production? What are the farms doing, what is the political support and what prices can we expect for locally produced vegetables?
19. Vegetables in complex production systems
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the integration of vegetables into complex production systems. In a global context, it becomes clear that growing similar vegetables on large areas is not the only possible form of production. Can more complex cropping systems also be successful in Germany? Do they even already exist?
14.9 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).
14.10 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.
14.11 Gender in Horticulture
25. Land, labour, credit: gendered differences in horticultural systems
26. Climate change impacts and gendered, intersectional vulnerabilities in horticulture
14.12 Assessing Environmental Impacts
27. Better buy regional fruits and veggies? The environmental impact of transportation in context Johannes Kopton, Katja Schiffers
Tomatoes from Spain, bananas from Indonesia, apples from Chile. Horticultural products can come a long way, quite literally. Or we might buy them from the farm just around the corner. How does it impact the environmental footprint? Is regional always better?
28. Organic or integrated production - sustainability in apple production Katja Schiffers, Johannes Kopton There are two basic cultivation paradigms in apple growing: Organic and integrated production. In organic cultivation, no synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are used, but more intensive use of machinery is required. How do the environmental footprints of the two cultivation methods differ? Are organically produced apples really more sustainable?