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Mailing Address:

Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences 116 ASI Building University Park, PA 16802-3504
Phone: +1-814-865-6541 Fax: +1-814-863-7043 David Sylvia, Department Head

Crop and Soil Sciences > Degree Programs and Courses > Agronomy Courses > Agronomy 28

Agronomy 28 - Principles of Crop Management

Instructor: Dr. Heather Karsten
Credits: 3
Semesters Offered: Fall
Texts: Crop Science, Principles and Practices; R.E. Mullen (Bookstores) The Agronomy Guide 2004 (for sale in 112 Agric. Admin. $9.00) You will use both of these for lecture and laboratory activities.
Prerequisite: none
Syllabus: Link to PDF file.

Course Description

This introductory course focuses on crop production and its relationship with the world's population, world hunger, and the environment. Crop terminology and principles are presented and applied to management practices that include: morphology of crop plants; plant and seed identification; crop classifications; crop development and crop improvement. Basic management practices for the major crop species will be discussed and will be related to human and animal nutritional needs. Pest management strategies for the major crop species will be reviewed along with the role of biotechnology in crop improvement. An attempt is made throughout the course to instill an awareness of the delicate balance between the world’s food supply and human population demands including any threats to this balance and the role of technology in maintaining it.