Introductory description

The module examines the main components of production using the following categories:

• Principals of crop production
• Crop nutrition
• Identification of and protection against weeds, pests and diseases
• Precision agronomy and other innovations

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Crop establishment: Methods of crop establishment including the type of soil cultivations employed, methods of drilling the seed, sowing date, choice of seed rate, seed dressings, pest control (slugs, birds, insects).
• Weed control: Methods of cultural and chemical control. Most appropriate timings and chemical groups for different weed species. Methods of predicting the level of weed seed dormancy. Strategies for minimising resistance to herbicides. Practical classes to demonstrate different weed species and field experiment visits to demonstrate the impact of different weed control strategies.
• Nutrition: Methods of estimating crop nutrition requirements. Methods for applying fertilisers and manures. Effects on the environment including nitrogen vulnerable zones. Field experiment visits to inspect fertiliser spreading machinery and to assess the effect of different fertiliser regimes on crop growth.
• Disease control: Methods of cultural and chemical control. Optimum timing, rates and chemical groups for different diseases. Strategies for minimising resistance to fungicides. Practical classes to demonstrate different weed species and field experiment visits to inspect machinery for spraying fungicides and to demonstrate the impact of different weed control strategies.
• Pest control: Methods of monitoring pests. Use of pest thresholds. Optimum timing and chemical groups for different pests. Impact on beneficial organisms. Practical pest identification tests. Use of equipment for monitoring pests.
• Growth regulation: Rationale behind the requirement to regulate growth and minimise lodging. Chemicals used and optimum timings. Field trials to demonstrate the effect of growth regulator chemicals.
• Experimental methods for evaluating the effects of agronomic practices and demonstration of large scale field experiments.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• To assess critically the best agronomic strategy for different crops grown in different environments.
• Analyse ways in which different agronomic methods may be used to minimise the environmental impact whilst maintaining or increasing profitability.
• To demonstrate knowledge of agronomic methods in use today and explain the rationale for their use in terms of effects on the crop, environment and profit.
• Communicate the range of agronomic practices used, explaining the choice of the most appropriate method for different situations. Be able to set up experiments to test agronomic practices.

Indicative reading list

• Hay, R K M & Walker, A J (1989) An Introduction to the Physiology of Crop Yield. Longman Scientific, Harlow.
• Wibberley, E J (1989) Cereal Husbandry. Farming Press, Ipswich.
• Halley, R J (1988) The Agricultural Notebook (Eighteenth Edition). Butterworths, London.
• Berry, P.M., Sterling, M., Spink, J.H. Baker, C.J., Sylvester-Bradley, R., Mooney, S., Tams, A., Ennos, A.R. (2004). Understanding and reducing lodging in cereals. Advances in Agronomy 84, 215-269.
• Spink, J.H., Berry, P.M., Theobald, C., Sparkes, D., Wade, A.P. and Roberts, A. (2004). Effects of location and management on the target drilling rate for winter wheat. Home-Grown Cereals Authority Research Project No. 361. HGCA, London, 161 pp.
• Berry, P.M. and Spink, J.H. (2009). ‘Canopy Management’ and late nitrogen applications to improve yield of oilseed rape. Home-Grown Cereals Authority Project Report No 447. HGCA, London, 212 pp.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Analyse ways in which different agronomic methods may be used to minimise the environmental impact whilst maintaining or increasing profitability.

Transferable skills

Communicate the range of practices used, explaining the choice of the most appropriate method for different situations.