SPECIAL PROJECT - 3
MECHANIZATION
| Objective: | Discuss mechanization versus hand labor in container and fieldproduction nurseries, and design a layout and production plan for maximum or most efficient mechanization of a production nursery. |
| Location: | Anywhere in Texas. |
| Size: | Minimum 50 acres or more. |
| Type of plant materials: | Combination of woody shrubs and trees, foliage, color or other market niche-oriented plant materials. |
| Size of plant materials: | Any combination of sizes, but not more than 20% rooted cuttings or seedlings. Also include larger materials in your operation |
| Type of nursery: | Field or container with protected structures (propagation, winterization) |
| Source of plants: | Propagated by cuttings, seeds, plugs, tissue culture liners and/or specialized structures. |
Include the following information
1. History of mechanization.
- 2. Mechanization in:
- Irrigation system
- Soil sterilization
- Soil pasteurization & mixing
- Potting systems
- Transplanting
- Fertilization
- Pest control
- Hauling within nursery
- Digging of plants etc.
- Soil sterilization
3. Relative costs of various systems and operation.
4. Efficiencies
5. Labor of operation
6. Limitations of equipment and advantage.
7. Manufacturers.
8. Site organization: justify why?
9. Structures related to equipment
10. Depreciation and replacement costs.
11. List of references.
This is intended as a guideline for an in-depth study of nursery mechanization. Ultimate development is up to each of you. Justify and explain your decision and selections.
* A 1-page preliminary synopsis of your project composed on a word processor is due TUES. OCT. 1,1996 (you should meet with me prior to this date to discuss your project).
* The finished project is to be composed on a word processor with a hardcopy turned on THURSDAY. DEC 5,1996.
BONUS POINTS (5 pts.) -- Create a Homepage linking other pertinent WWW homepages.
HORT431 Homepage | Sp. Project 1 | Sp. Project 2