Crop Production
Crop production refers to the cultivation and management of plants for food, fuel, fiber, and other uses. Crop production courses teach students how to grow and manage crops, including soil preparation, planting, fertilization, irrigation, pest management, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. Students may also learn about crop selection, plant breeding, and biotechnology. Students who take courses in crop production can expect to learn the following: Plant biology: Students will learn about the anatomy, physiology, and genetics of various crops, including their growth and development, and the environmental factors that affect their growth. Crop management: Students will learn how to manage crops from planting to harvest, including selecting the right cultivars, soil management, irrigation, pest and disease management, and post-harvest handling. Sustainable agriculture: Students will learn about sustainable agriculture practices, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and integrated pest management, which promote the long-term health of the soil and reduce the use of chemical inputs.
Pest, Weeds & Diseases in Crop Production
- Identifying Pests, Weeds, and Diseases: Learn how to accurately recognize common pests, invasive weeds, and diseases that affect various crops.
- Integrated Pest and Weed Management: Explore biological, chemical, and cultural control methods to manage pests and weeds sustainably.
- Disease Prevention and Control: Discover effective strategies to prevent disease outbreaks and manage crop diseases, ensuring healthy and productive fields.
The Life of the Common Bean
- Planting and Soil Preparation: Learn the essential steps for preparing soil and planting beans to ensure strong germination and healthy growth.
- Crop Management: Master techniques for watering, fertilizing, and managing pests and diseases throughout the growing season.
- Harvesting Techniques: Discover when and how to harvest beans to maximize yield and maintain quality, ensuring a successful crop cycle.
Cassava Production
- Cassava Planting and Node Cutting: Learn the best practices for planting cassava and cutting nodes to promote healthy root and tuber development.
- Fertilizer Application Strategies: Discover how to apply fertilizers effectively to enhance cassava growth and improve yields.
- Node Treatment Methods: Gain insights into treating nodes to protect cassava plants from diseases and pests, ensuring robust crop health.
Optimizing Seed Performance: Treatments, Germination Testing, and Quality Assessment
- Seed Treatment Techniques: Discover various seed treatment methods to protect seeds from pathogens, enhance germination, and improve crop resilience.
- Germination Testing: Master key testing procedures to evaluate seed viability and predict field performance before planting.
- Comprehensive Seed Quality Assessment: Learn how to conduct purity, moisture, and vigor tests to ensure high-quality seeds for better crop outcomes.
Soil Sampling
- Understanding Soil Composition: Learn about the physical, chemical, and biological components of soil that influence plant growth and ecosystem health.
- Sampling Techniques and Tools: Master proper soil sampling methods, tool selection, and protocols to ensure accurate and representative samples.
Soil Fertility Management
- Practical Composting Skills
- Optimizing Soil Health
- Sustainability in Agriculture
Yam Propagation and the Minisett Technique
- Efficient Yam Propagation
- Disease and Pest Management:
- Sustainable Farming
