AP1A29-Crop Physiology, Nutrition and Protection

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Only available to BSc Agriculture
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Donal O'Sullivan
Email: d.m.osullivan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Crop physiology is the study of the processes involved in growth, development and yield formation in crop plants in response to their environment.  In this module, you will learn functional anatomy of diverse crop families, how crop plants grow and develop and their nutritional, water and light resource needs during different phases of development. You will also learn about crop physiological responses when conditions are less than ideal i.e. nutrient limitation, abiotic stress and attack by pests and pathogens. We start by covering the core principles and concepts through lectures, screencasts and interactive seminars in the autumn term and progress in the spring term to a series of glasshouse and farm-based practicals to bring crop physiology to life and to draw the different strands of your learning in this module together.

Aims:

To provide students with the foundational knowledge of principles of crop physiology that underpin the main technologies underpinning modern field and horticultural crop production from amending the growing environment, crop/varietal selection, through to growth regulation, nutritional and crop protection interventions.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module, the student should be able to:

• Recognise and name most common plant organs and tissues and associate these with precise physiological functions


• Recognise the distinctive morphological and physiological characteristics of the main families of agriculturally important crop species


• Understand the specialised cell types and subcellular structures involved in radiation capture and photosynthesis, water and nutrient uptake and reproduction


• Understand how abiotic and biotic stresses impact plant function and typical crop responses to sub-optimal or stressful conditions


• Source and critically interpret authoritative information on anatomical structures and typical developmental and physiological responses of crop plants of interest


• Communicate your understanding of relevant physiological processes both orally and in written form

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop a range of transferrable and employability skills including time management,  written communication, verbal communication, presentation, observational skills, critical analysis and teamwork.

Outline content:

This module will be run across the autumn and spring terms of Part 1 and will be supported by practical classes at the Crop and Environment Laboratory on Whiteknights campus, Sonning Farm and seminars.

Lecture content will include:

• The diversity of crop plants


• Vegetative and reproductive functional anatomy of crop plants


• Plant growth and development


• Photosynthesis


• Water and nutrient uptake


• Abiotic and biotic stress responses

Practicals will involve students growing plants under a variety of experimental conditions and measuring and interpreting the responses observed, which will enhance the learning with practical skills identifying plant parts and measuring rates of growth/development and physiological responses.

Global context:

Reference to tropical and temperate crops and international research where appropriate.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will be taught using a series of lectures, practicals and seminars alongside independent study.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	10
Practicals classes and workshops		30
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	15	10
Wider reading (directed)	15	10
Advance preparation for classes	10	20
Essay preparation	30	20
Reflection	10	10
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	75
Oral assessment and presentation	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There are 3 summative components:

1. For a named crop, produce a 2000 word literature review (45%)


2. An annotated mindmap of the functional anatomy of a chosen crop plant, detailing key biological features (30%)


3. An oral presentation focusing on a physiological process with annotated notes and a 1-page handout (25%)

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:

Reassessment of the failed element.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: 


2. Specialist equipment or materials: 


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 


4. Printing and binding: 


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: 


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 12 December 2023