791-291 Crop and Pasture Production

Agricultural production systems II.

Biology III.

On completion of the subject, students should:

• understand the growth phases of crops and pastures and how to monitor and measure these growth stages;

• understand the determinants that drive plant growth and yield of crops and pastures;

• have a working knowledge of plant nutrient requirements for the major crops and pastures of southern Australia and how to determine plant nutrient requirements;

• be able to develop a pre-season plan for crops and pasture including forecasting potential yields;

• understand the major constraints to plant growth including soil limitations, plant disease, insect and weed management; and

• understand the different harvesting/grazing methods of crops and pastures and why they are used.

Three-hour examination (50%), two assignments (20% each) and one presentation (10%).

• J E Pratley (ed.), Principles of Field Crop Production. University of Sydney Press, Sydney, 1980.
• M Stanley (ed.), TOPCROP - Crop Monitoring Guide. TOPCROP Publications, Snowtown, 1999.
• J V Lovett and J M Scott (eds), Pasture Production and Management. Inkata Press, Melbourne, 1997.