Plant Agriculture
Overview
The Department of Plant Agriculture was formed in 1998 through the amalgamation of Crop Science, Horticultural Science and the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario. It is Canada's largest and most diverse applied plant biology department, dedicated to teaching, research and service related to horticultural crops, turfgrass, landscape species and field crops.
Initiatives include:
- Food and Health — plant breeding and plant physiology programs to focus on healthier food. The Department is also home to the inaugural Loblaw Chair in Sustainable Food Production, established in 2011 as the first of its kind in North America.
- Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre — Under the leadership of the Premier's Research Chair in Biomaterials and Transportation, the Centre is defining new frontiers in bio-based product development and processing and producing greener bioproducts as substitutes for non-renewable materials in manufacturing sectors, consumer goods and services.
- Turf Sciences — enhanced research and outreach to the turf industry.
Education
Plant Agriculture provides hands-on learning opportunities to students at the diploma, undergraduate and graduate levels and teaches a variety of on-line courses in turfgrass and sustainable urban crop production.
At the diploma level, the Department provides an Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management. This two-year, applied program prepares students for a variety of career opportunities including golf course management, lawn care, sports field management, parks management, sod production and related supply and service businesses.
Undergraduate programs within the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Bachelor of Science include majors in: Crop, Horticulture and Turfgrass Sciences; Organic Agriculture; and Plant Science. The undergraduate program is fully accredited by the Agricultural Institute of Canada and the Ordre des agronomes du Québec.
Graduate programs leading to the MSc and PhD focus on Breeding & Genetics, Physiology & Agronomy, Molecular Biology and Production Systems & Management.
Research
Plant Agriculture research is conducted at a number of centres across Ontario, including research stations at Vineland, Simcoe, Elora, Arkell, Kettleby, Woodstock and Ridgetown, as well as the Guelph Turfgrass Institute.
Research support is provided by federal and provincial governments as well as international, industrial and grower sponsors.
