Department of Plant Agriculture, Crop Science Divison.

CROP*2110 Crop Ecology F(3-0) [0.50]

Fundamental ecological principles are applied to managed agricultural ecosystems. Crop selection and management are viewed as influencing interactions among species and the environment. Adaptation and distribution of temperate zone crops are related to both environmental constraints and human intervention.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040

CROP*2280 Crops in Land Reclamation F(2-2) [0.50]

The use of vegetation to reclaim land disturbed by human intervention, including mining and extraction, construction of right-of-ways, waste disposal, and logging, are introduced. Fundamentals of soil, plant, and associated microbial relations are reviewed, with emphasis on plant adaptation to soil constraints. Presentations by guest speakers and visits to nearby sites are used to identify the off as well as on-site environmental implications of land disturbance.

CROP*3300 Grain Crops W(3-0) [0.50]

Management strategies and world production of the major temperate grain crops are studied relative to their botanical and physiological characteristics and to available environmental resources. The utilization of grain crops for human food, livestock feed, and various industrial products are examined. (Offered in odd-numbered years.)

Prerequisite(s): AGR*2451/2 or CROP*2110

CROP*3310 Protein and Oilseed Crops F(3-0) [0.50]

Management strategies and world production of the major temperate protein and oilseed crops are studied relative to their botanical and physiological characteristics and to available environmental resources. The utilization of protein and oilseed crops for human food, livestock feed and various industrial products are examined. (Offered in odd-numbered years.)

Prerequisite(s): AGR*2451/2 or CROP*2110

CROP*3320 Pasture and Grazing Management W(3-0) [0.50]

The contribution of pasture to temperate agriculture is discussed, with emphasis on pasture as a source of nutrition for cattle, sheep, and horses. Pasture growth, nutritional value, and efficiency of utilization by grazing livestock are related to soil and environmental factors, species and mixture adaptations, fertilizer and grazing management. (Offered in even-numbered years.)

Prerequisite(s): AGR*2451/2 or CROP*2110

CROP*3330 Forage Crops: Science and Technology F(2-2) [0.50]

Current management and utilization of forage grasses and legumes are reviewed. Physiological and biochemical processes unique to forage crops, including quality, preservation as hay and silage, animal utilization, perennial growth habit, the applications of genetics and biotechnology and the forage seed industry are discussed. Computer simulation models are applied to the utilization of forages in dairy production and to microbial interactions in silage. (Offered in even-numbered years.)

Prerequisite(s): AGR*2451/2

CROP*3400 Organic Agriculture W(3-2) [0.50]

The design and operation of organic agriculture will be introduced, focusing on systems oriented toward field crops, horticultural crops, and livestock. Emphasis will be placed on system design a) to capture positive synergies among enterprises in space and time, b) to minimize niches for pest proliferation, c) to internalize costs of production, d) to maintain soil, plant, and animal health, and e) to respect and enhance natural resource endowments. Complementing the basic principles and practises discussed in class, students will learn site-specific applications from farmer-practitioners both in class and on the farm. Student teams will be responsible for visiting several farms during the term, interviewing farm families, and preparing case reports. Students will be encouraged to view the course as an opportunity to explore internship opportunities within the organic industry.

Prerequisite(s): one of AGR*2350, AGR*2301/2, AGR*2401, AGR*2451/2, BIOL*2060, CROP*2110

CROP*4220 Cropping Systems W(3-2) [0.50]

Design of cropping systems for specific livestock, poultry and cash crop enterprises; integration of all factors affecting crop yields, quality and economy of production such as choice and interchangeability of crops, crop sequence, tillage, pest control, seasonal work programming, harvesting, drying and storage.

Prerequisite(s): 2 of CROP*3300, CROP*3310, CROP*3320, CROP*3330

CROP*4240 Weed Science F(3-3) [0.50]

Weeds will be studied in relation to agricultural practices. Principles of chemical, mechanical and biological control will be outlined. Laboratories will include weed identification, weed control methods, and demonstrations of the effects of various herbicides.

Prerequisite(s): AGR*2451/2

CROP*4260 Crop Science Field Trip F(0-4) [0.50]

A field study designed to increase the student's knowledge of agricultural production and agri-business. Students will tour a selected area of North America prior to the fall semester, visiting cash crop and livestock farms, supporting industries (e.g. processing, manufacturing) and markets (e.g. elevators, stockyards). A fee of approximately $625.00 per student will be assessed.

Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits including AGR*2451/2

CROP*4340 Seminar: Selected Topics in Crop Science F(2-0) [0.50]

This course is designed to permit students to study topics of current interest in the production of crops for feed and food purposes. Students will present seminars and prepare video presentations on the selected topics.

Prerequisite(s): 0.50 credit at the 3000 level in Crop Science

CROP*4350 Crop Science Research Project I S,F,W(2-0) [0.50]

Students will select a problem in crop science, conduct an extensive search and review of the literature and outline an experiment to conduct on the problem. The outline will be presented as a seminar.

Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits

Restriction(s): registration in the B.SC. or B.SC.(Agr.) program

CROP*4360 Crop Science Research Project II S,F,W(2-0) [0.50]

Students will conduct an experiment with the objective of providing information about some problem in crop science. The problem may be a field, growth room or a laboratory experiment which may have been outlined in CROP*4350. Research findings will be written up in scientific style and a brief seminar of results presented.

Prerequisite(s): CROP*4350 or by permission