Environmental stresses; definitions, sources, types, interactions and effects on plant growth stages (seed germination, vegetative stage, flowering and reproductive stages). Effect of stresses on plant physiological process (water and minerals absorption, photosynthesis, respiration, translocation and partitioning, nitrogen metabolism, nitrogen fixation and hormonal balance). Plant response to stresses (adaptation, hardening, resistance and physiological mechanisms). Factors affecting plant resistance to environmental stress.

Significance of Plant Breeding, Germplasm definition, and Significance. Biodiversity, Germplasm collection, Characterization and use. Germplasm maintenance and Conservation, in situ conservation, ex situ conservation, Cryopreservation, Genomic conservation, world collections, CGIAR and NRC Network.

Environmental factors (Climatic, Soil, Biotic & Abiotic). Environmental factors and their relation to crop growth and development. The relationship between crops and the living organisms in the environment. Crop adaptation. Environmental stresses (sources, types and their effects on growth) Crop tolerance and resistance.

The growth and the development, the photosynthesis and the respiration. The effect of the environmental factors on the flowers and fruit set , the effect of the rootstock on the growth of fruit trees. The plant growth regulators and their applications in the production of fruit trees, the effect of fertilization, the nutritional condition and water balance on the growth and the fruiting.

Introduction to organic farming- definitions and objectives of organic farming- Recent world status of organic farming, progress of organic farming in the Kingdom. Plant production under organic farming systems. Steps of converting to organic farming. Registration and certifying for farms and products. Organic fertilizer. Biological control. Organic farming in greenhouses.

Origin of date palm. Production and area. Nutritional value and health benefits of fruits. Growth habits. Pollination and fruit development. Appropriate environmental conditions. Propagation methods. Orchard establishment. Cultural practices (Irrigation, fertilization, pruning and fruit thinning). Important cultivars grown in the different regions of the Kingdom. Harvesting, storage and handling methods of fruit. Pests and diseases control.

Domicile of origin, geographical distribution, production and area, nutritional value and health benefits of fruits, description of vegetation, environmental requirements, soil and climate, pollination and fruit set, propagation methods, rootstock, agricultural management, orchard establishment, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, harvesting and storage, varieties, pests and diseases control, for each species of fruit individually.

The economic importance of horticultural crops - environmental conditions suitable for vegetables, fruit and ornamental production - the various agricultural operations, "fertilization, irrigation, pruning, propagation, pest and disease control". Handling and storage of horticultural crops. Species and varieties of vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants, which enjoys under the environmental conditions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.