This course covers all aspects of micro-propagation techniques for producing high health native and exotic, rare and endangered plants.
The skills and knowledge gained will be especially useful to plant propagators and breeders, lab technicians, horticulturalists, botanists, nursery and allied trades
Students are encouraged to work on plant material with which they have a particular interest.
Topics covered:
- History and principles of Plant Tissue Culture
- Sources of contamination and aseptic techniques
- Surface sterilisation of different plant materials and introduction into the culture process
- Seed, spore, plant culture establishment
- Chemical composition and preparation of culture media
- Transfer and sub-culturing of explants into multiplication and rooting media
- Deflasking of tissue cultured plantlets
- Layout and operation of a basic plant tissue culture laboratory
- Equipment requirements and suppliers
- Research project on plant of choice
- Excursions to Plant Tissue Culture laboratories.
About the Course
- Local Students
- International Students
Campus: Fairfield
Duration
Part-time: Evenings, 5.30 - 9pm (75 hours in total).
Modes of Delivery
Further Study and Careers
Pathways to Further Study
These qualifications may lead to further study in the Certificate IV in Horticulture (Nursery) or other streams, and then into the Diploma of Horticulture (Nursery) or other streams
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge to set up a basic tissue culture laboratory at home and or to work in a tissue culture facility associated with plant nurseries
The skills and knowledge gained will also equip laboratory technicians to operate tissue culture facilities in schools and other plant science laboratories
Staff of plant nurseries will also be trained to deflask tissue-cultured plants obtained from tissue culture laboratories.
Entrance Requirements
Plant knowledge and or basic chemistry is recommended
Materials
Assessment Methods
Performing aseptic techniques and surface sterilisation of plant materials, culture, media preparation, transfer of cultures and deflasking in the tissue culture laboratory and glasshouse. Compulsory work for 30 hours researching and producing a crop of choice via micro propagation techniques
Materials
General laboratory and other tissue culture equipment. Students will be given more information when the course commences
Fees
More Information
How to Apply
Local Students
Part-time:
Please contact the department directly if you are interested in studying part time.
Units of Study
| Code | Subject | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTF3014A | Implement a propagation plan | N/A | Core |
| RTF5012A | Manage a controlled growing environment | N/A | Core |
