AP1A12-Introduction to Crop Production

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Gillian Rose
Email: g.rose@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Primary food production is a complex and exciting process. In this module you’ll be introduced to a range of crop production practices, understanding the factors that influence how to choose a crop as well as the practicalities of preparing the soil and sowing the seeds. You’ll learn the principles of resource capture by crops and the components of yield, quality and nutrition, understanding how these can be manipulated by farmers to maximise yield. You’ll also be introduced to crop protection using chemical and non-chemical methods to control pests and diseases.

Aims:
For the student to become familiar with the basic requirements and agronomy for crop production.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will:- * Appreciate the factors that need to be considered when choosing a crop and cropping system. * Be familiar with the methods of tillage and sowing. * Understand the principles of resource capture by crops and how it can be manipulated by farmers with particular reference to sowing density, irrigation, drainage, crop nutrition and crop protection. * Understand the components of yield and quality of the most important crops and how these can be manipulated by farmers.* Understand chemical and non-chemical control of weeds and diseases.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The course will begin with a review of factors influencing crop choice and cropping system. Subsequently, the relationships between canopy size, light interception, water use and dry matter production will be introduced. The concepts of dry matter partitioning, sources and sinks, and harvest index and crop quality will be covered. Students will then be introduced, mainly with reference to cereal cropping, to the principles and practices of; soil tillage; crop sowing and establishment; irrigation; crop nutrition; crop protection and harvesting. Control of weeds and diseases including chemical and non-chemical methods, will be introduced

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching will proceed via a lecture course supplemented by a programme of guided reading.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Guided independent study:		80
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Set exercise	55
Class test administered by School	45

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

3 Multiple choice tests based on pre-reading each worth 15% (45% in total) An in-class test 55%

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
By coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023