Objective:
To  study the  scientific principles  underlying the principles of crop  plants with  particular emphasis
on resource capture.

Course is taught during: First semester, March-August

Course content:

Introduction to crop production:
What is agronomy?, objectives of crop production systems, crop yield and yield progress, problems and prospects.

Origin and domestication of cultivated plants:
Origin of cultivated plants; domestication of plants, methods of plant domestication, examples of improvement in some crop plants.

Naming and classifying plants:
Common names; scientific or botanical classification; other classification systems.

Crop establishment:
Seed structure; storage and seed treatment; factors affecting germination; choice of seed rate; time of planting; methods of establishment; review of stand establishment problems.

Growth and development:
Definition of growth; growth factors; growth correlations; growth and differentiation; growth dynamics; growth analysis.

Water and crop growth:
Crop water requirement; moisture stress; water stress effects on yield; water use efficiency.

Biological nitrogen fixation:
Industrial  production  of  ammonia;  atmospheric  nitrogen fixation; biological nitrogen fixation; Factors influencing biological nitrogen fixation. (Factory visit-Marondera?).

Biotic factors affecting crop productivity:
Biotic factors causing  yield reduction;  the effect  of plant disease on crops; disease forecasting; effects of pathogens on the normal physiological processes of  a plant;  resistance to pathogen  attack;  control  of plant  disease; the  effects of pests on crops; methods of pest control.

Plant competition:
Effects of  plant  competition on  crops;  plant population; intraspecific competition; optimising plant competition within crop stands; the arrangement of individual plants  within crop stands; interspecific competition; methods of weed control.

The importance at plant breeding:
Contribution of varieties to increased yield; variety testing; criteria for variety selection.

Quality in crop products:
Definition  of  quality;  examination  of  factors  affecting quality of crop products using wheat, barley and potato as examples.

Methods of assessment:
Coursework 30%.  Will consist of written assignments, practicals, quizes and a 1 hour mid-semester examination. Five quizzes will be given, three of which will be announced and the other two un-
announced. All quizes will be given during normal lecture hours. Three hour examination at  the end  of the course (70%).

Skills acquired:
Ability to link scientific principles of crop production with practice. Ability to communicate  orally, in writing and to present information  and ideas in a variety of visual forms. Problem identification and analysis, use of information sources and decision making. Teamwork. Task completion to meet deadlines and standards.

Recommended reading list:

Gardner, F.P., Pearce, R.B. and Mitchell, R.L. 1985.
Physiology of Crop Plants. Iowa State University Press: Ames.
USA. 327 pp.

Harper, F. 1983. Principles of Arable Crop Production. Granada
Publishing Limited. UK. 336 pp.

Pratley, J. 1994. Principles of Field Crop Production. Sydney
University Press. Australia. 502 pp.

Stoskopf, N.C. 1981. Understanding Crop Production. Reston
Publishing Company, USA. 433 pp.