MORRISVILLE STATE COLLEGE

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

AGRO 210 - Field Crops

Three (3) Credit Hours Fall 2009

Instructor: Dr. Adam Khan Office: CHHL 208

COURSE SYLLABUS

SUPPLEMENTARY READING

Principles of Field Crop Production, 3rd Edition by John H. Martin, Warren H. Leonard, and David L. Stamp, 1979, MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York.
Introductory Crop Science (Lecture Manual), A. Khan, 1982.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance of all lecture sessions is imperative. To discourage class absentia, the following penalties will be strictly followed.

"All handouts distributed in a particular lecture session will not be given to those who miss that session without prior permission."

COURSE OUTLINE

Section I.

A. Crop Production as a Science and Art

1. Crop production as a science
2. Population and food supply
3. Cultivated plants
i. Origin
ii. Variation
iii. Spread
iv. Classification
- (1) Agronomic
- (2) Special purpose
- (3) Botanical
- (4) Life cycle

B. Crop Plants & Environment

1. Factors in crop distribution
- i. Climate
- - (1) General types of climate
  - (2) Precipitation
  - (3) Temperature
  - (4) Humidity
  - (5) Light
  - (6) Air
- ii. Soil requirements
- - (1) Texture
  - (2) Structure
  - (3) Soil reaction
  - (4) Soil constituents
- iii. Insects and diseases
2. General crop areas in the U.S.
- i. Atlantic Coast to the Great Plains
- - (1) Corn and Wheat Belt
  - (2) Cotton Belt
  - (3) Northern Evergreen Forest
- ii. Great Plains
- iii. Pacific Coast

Section II.

A. Botany of Crop Plants

1. Plant cell
- i. Cell wall
- ii. Plasmolema
- iii. Protoplast
- - (1) Vacuoles
  - (2) Nucleus
  - (3) Ribosomes
  - (4) Plastids
  - (5) Mitochondria
  - (6) Microbodies
2. Major plant parts
- i. Root
- - (1) Kind of roots
  - (2) Root hairs
  - (3) Extension of root system
  - (4) Absorption
- ii. Stem
- - (1) Main parts
  - (2) Tillers
  - (3) Specific stems
  - (4) Modified stems
  - (5) Lodging
- iii. Leaves
- - (1) General characteristics
  - (2) Classification
  - (3) Photosynthesis
  - (4) Respiration
  - (5) Transpiration
3. Reproductive processes in crop plants
- i. Reproduction
- - (1) Asexual
  - (2) Sexual
- ii. Mode of pollination
- - (1) Self
  - (2) Cross
- iii. Description of flowers
- iv. Process of fertilization
4. Seeds and fruits
- i. Seeds
- ii. Fruit
- - (1) Indehiscent
  - (2) Dehiscent
5. Growth
- i. Initial slow start
- ii. Period of gradual faster growth
- iii. Period of slow growth again
6. Plant competition

B. Crop Breeding

1. Objectives
2. Breeding methods
- i. Introduction
- ii. Selection
- - (1) Mass selection
  - (2) Pedigree selection
- iii. Hybridization
- - (1) Technique
  - (2) Back crossing
  - (3) Bulk propagation
- iv. Breeding for disease resistance
- v. Experimental methods

Section III

A. Seeds and Seeding

1. Seed germination
- i. External conditions
- - (1) Moisture
  - (2) Oxygen
  - (3) Temperature
  - (4) Light
- ii. Process of germination
- iii. Quality in seeds for germination
- - (1) Whole vs. broken
  - (2) Heat & molding
  - (3) Seed maturity
  - (4) Seed size
2. Seed dormancy
- i. Causes of dormancy
- ii. Hard seeds in legumes
- iii. After ripening
- iv. Secondary dormancy
- v. Scarification
- vi. Other hard-seed treatments
3. Vernalization of seeds
4. Longevity of seeds
- i. Seeds in dry storage
- ii. Buried seeds
5. Germination and purity tests
6. Seed laws and regulations
- i. Federal Seed Act
- ii. State seed laws
7. Registered or certified seeds
- i. Breeders seeds
- ii. Foundation seed
- iii. Registered seeds
8. Sources of farm seeds
9. Depth of seeding

B. Plant Nutrients, Fertilizers, Green Manure, and Rotation Practices

1. Essential plant nutrients
- i. Nitrogen
- - (1) Symbiotic N fixation
  - (2) Nitrogen from fertilizers
  - (3) Nitrogen from O.M.
- ii. Phosphorus
- iii. Other nutrients
2. Fertilizers
- i. Nitrogen fertilizers
- - (1) Nitrate fertilizers
  - (2) Ammonium fertilizers
  - (3) Amide fertilizers
  - (4) Organic matter
- ii. Phosphate fertilizers
- - (1) Cone or triple super phosphate
  - (2) Ammonium phosphate
  - (3) Super phosphate
  - (4) Rock phosphate
  - (5) Bone meal
- iii. Potassium fertilizers
- - (1) Potassium chloride
  - (2) Potassium sulfate
- iv. Mixed fertilizers
- - 3. Green manure
  - 4. Crop rotation
  - - i. Relation to pest control
    - ii. Crop rotation and weed control
    - iii. Crop rotation & erosion control

C. Weeds

1. Definition

2. Classification

i. Life cycle
- (1) Annual
- (2) Biennial
- (3) Perennial
ii. Easiness to control
- (1) Common
- (2) Noxious

3. Seed germination

4. Losses

i. Competition
ii. Crop quality
iii. Harbor insects
iv. Irrigation cost
v. Injury to livestock
vi. Land value
vii. Allelopathy
viii. Large vegetation

5. Persistence of weeds

i. Adaptability
ii. Effective propagation
iii. Large no.
iv. Prolonged viability

6. Dissemination

i. Natural
- (1) Animals
- (2) Birds
- (3) Wind
- (4) Rhizomes
- (5) Water
- (6) Dehiscence
ii. Mechanical
- (1) Improve farm seed
- (2) Farm machinery
- (3) Transport
- (4) Barnyard manure

7. Weed control

i. Eradication
ii. Prevention
iii. Control
- (1) Mechanical & cultural
- - a. cultivation
  - b. hoeing
  - c. rotation
  - d. clean cultivation
  - e. smother crop
  - f. flaming
- (2) Chemical (herbicides)
- - a. classes
  - - i. selective
    - ii. non selective
  - b. environmental consideration
  - c. treatments
  - - i. pre-plant
    - ii. pre-emergence
    - iii. post-emergence
  - d. rates
  - - i. O.M.
    - ii. texture
  - e. volatility
  - f. crop injury
  - g. residual effect
  - h. susceptibility

Section IV

A. Corn or Maize

1. Botanical name
2. Climatic requirements
3. Soil requirements
- i. Nutrients
- - (1) N
  - (2) P
  - (3) K
  - (4) Micro and secondary nutrients
- ii. pH
- iii. Drainage
4. Adjustment to environment
5. Morphology and growth
- i. Seed and embryo
- ii. Germination and seedling establishment
- iii. Vegetative development
- - (1) Leaf development
  - (2) Root development
- iv. Tassel and ear initiation
- - (1) Tassel
  - (2) Ear
- v. Pollen shed and silking
- - (1) Pollen shedding
  - (2) Silking
- vi. Kernel development and maturation
- vii. Maturity and drying
- viii. Classes of corn
- - (1) Dent corn
  - (2) Flint corn
  - (3) Flour corn
  - (4) Popcorn
  - (5) Sweet corn
  - (6) Waxy corn

B. Wheat

1. Botanical name
2. Climatic requirements
3. Botanical description
4. Winter hardiness
- i. Heaving
- ii. Smothering
- iii. Physiological drought
- iv. Low T and plant tissue
5. Fertilizers
6. Cultural practices
- i. Depth of seeding
- ii. Rate of seeding

Section V

A. Soybeans

1. Botanical name
2. Climatic requirements
3. Germination and seedling establishment
- i. Below ground
- ii. Above ground
4. Vegetative growth
- i. Before flowering
- ii. After flowering
- - (1) Environment
  - (2) Growth habit
  - - a. Determinate
    - b. Indeterminate
5. Flowering period
- i. Race ml
- ii. Flower
6. Pod & seed formation
7. Maturity
8. Varieties
9. Cultural practices
- i. Inoculation
- ii. Fertilization
- iii. Depth of planting
- iv. Planting date
- v. Seed rate

B. Alfalfa

1. Economic importance
2. History
3. Adaptation
4. Botanical description
- i. Alfalfa plant
- ii. Pollination
5. Groups
- i. Common alfalfa
- ii. Flemish
- iii. Turkistan
- iv. Variegated
- v. Non hardy
- vi. Creeping
- vii. Hybrid
6. Winter hardiness
7. Rotation
8. Culture
- i. Fertilizers
- ii. Seedling
- iii. Cutting
9. Diseases
- i. Bacterial wilt
- ii. Leaf diseases
- iii. Nematodes
10. Insect pests

EXAM SCHEDULE

Exam	Section covered	Date	Time	Day	Room
First Hour Exam	Section I	9/16/09
Second Hour Exam:	Section II	10/06/09
Third Hour Exam:	Section III	10/28/09
Fourth Hour Exam:	Section IV	11/17/09
Fifth Hour Exam:	Section V	12/08/09
Comprehensive Make-up	All sections	12/9/09
Final Exam:

GRADING POLICY

Grade Distribution

Item	Points
Term papers/ or Project/ or Activity in Agronomy Club	50
1st Hour Exam	100
2nd Hour Exam	100
3rd Hour Exam	100
4th Hour Exam	100
5th Hour Exam	100
*6th hour exam (Comprehensive Make-up)	100
Final	300
Lab	150
Project	100

* Four best hour exams will be selected.

Grade Classification

Letter grade	Score
A	900 - 1000
B	800 - 899
C	700 - 799
D	600 - 699
F	Below 600

Course Objective

The main objective of the course is to acquaint students with the basic principles of crop production.

CLASS REGULATIONS

1. Attendance of all lab and lecture sessions is imperative. To discourage class absentia, the following penalties will be strictly followed:
a. All handouts distributed in a particular lab or lecture session will not be given to those who miss that session except those who inform the instructor before hand either verbally, or written, or on the telephone.
2. Participation in class discussion is very important. Asking questions in class will improve your impression and subsequent grade.
3. Complete silence must be maintained during lectures.
4. Lab reports and take-home exams will not be accepted after due date.
5. All the exams (hour exams, pop quizzes, take-home exams) will be returned to you after grading within a week. Record your grades in the grade record page. Don't lose your exam papers, they will help you in case of error in final calculation of the grade. If you did not get your exam back in time, ask me.
6. If you are not satisfied with the grade, contact me within a week after you receive the grades. However, after one week, no change in grades will be accepted.
7. If you believe at the end of the semester, that there is an error in the final grading, bring all your exam papers (pop quizzes, hour exams, make-up, take home exams, lab reports, etc.) to my office for reconsideration.
8. Make-up Exam Policy: Since there are two make-up exams already scheduled for the whole class, no make-up exam will be given to individual students.

AGRO 210 LAB

Instructor: Dr. Adam Khan

Course Outline

I. Crop Production:

1. Seed Germination

2. Vegetative Characteristics

3. Flower and Fruits

4. Growth

5. Plant Nutrition

6. Climate

7. Light and Temperature

8. Pesticides

9. Seed Certification

10. Grain Grading

11. Grain Crops

12. Forage Crops

13. Oil and Protein Crops

14. Weeds and Weed Control

II. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) and AEM Plan

CAFO Laws and Regulations
CAFO notice of intent and certification
Definition of a CAFO
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan and CAFO
General Information
Best Management Practices and field attributes
Nutrient management and CAFO
Soil Management
Emergency Plan
Conservation plan maps
Farm stead maps
Location maps of CAFO, HSA, and Tract #
Soil Type maps
Soil topo maps
Tier 1, tier 2, and environmental effects of RMP.

III. Field crop dealer meeting:

October 29th 2008 (Wednesday) - New Hartford, NY, Holiday Inn, 1777 Burrstone Road.
We will depart at 8:30 A.M. and reach there by 9:30 A.M.
The program starts at 9:45 A.M. and ends at 3:00 P.M.
We should be back on campus around 4:00 P.M.
This meeting is required for every body to attend.

To see the agenda of Agronomy Club's end of semester meeting, please click on "Agronomy Club's Fall Semester Meeting" on webct (after you are notified that it is posted).