agr1agr agronomy 1
AGRONOMY 1
AGR1AGR
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject will develop students' knowledge in the practice of agronomy as an interdisciplinary study that underpins sustainable agricultural plant production practices. Different crop and pasture establishment and management options will be explored along with conventional, alternative and sustainable plant management systems. Students will develop skills in the measurement of plant growth and yield of crops and/or pastures. Skills in decision-making related to crop varieties, establishment, growth and harvest production plans will be developed. Students will be introduced to the ecology of weeds and be able to identify common weeds, insects and crop and pasture diseases and will engage in field practice, laboratory work and excursions to undertake crop and pasture monitoring assessments and analyses and apply their findings to productive use and sustainability in landscape management planning.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorPenelope Smith
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be admitted into SBATE or require Subject Coordinator approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions This subject is taught at the Epping Campus of Melbourne Polytechnic.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Australian soil fertility manual | Recommended | Price, G 2006 | 3RD EDN, CSIRO PUBLISHING, COLLINGWOOD, VICTORIA |
| Readings | Design of experiments for agriculture and the natural sciences | Recommended | Hoshmand, A 2006 | 2ND EDN, CRC PRESS, BOCA RATON, FL |
| Readings | Integrated pest management for crops and pastures | Recommended | Horne, P & Page, J 2006 | LANDMARK PRESS, VICTORIA |
| Readings | Interpreting soil test results: what do all the numbers mean? | Recommended | Hazelton, P & Murphy 2007 | CSIRO PUBLISHING, COLLINGWOOD, VICTORIA |
| Readings | Pests of field crops and pastures | Recommended | Bailey, P 2007 | CSIRO PUBLISHING, COLLINGWOOD, VICTORIA |
| Readings | Productivity growth in Australian agriculture: trends, sources, performance | Recommended | Mullen, J 2007 | AUSTRALIAN FARM INSTITUTE, SURRY HILLS, NSW |
| Readings | The coming famine | Recommended | Cribb, J 2010 | CSIRO PUBLISHING, COLLINGWOOD, VICTORIA |
| Readings | Weeds of the south-east: an identification guide for Australia | Recommended | Richardson, F, Richardson R & Shepard, R 2001 | 2ND EDN, CSIRO PUBLISHING, VICTORIA |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Describe and explain the fundamental aspects of plant biology relevant to agricultural plant production practices
- Activities:
- Practical sessions (both self-directed and on farm) along with lectures will overview how a plant grows and develops. The relationships between the plant, soil and the environment will be introduced. The farm and wireless sensor networks will be used to demonstrate some of these relationships.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Describe different crop and pasture establishment and management options
- Activities:
- Lectures, practical sessions (both self-directed and on farm) along with the field trip, will demonstrate differences in establishment and management of crops and pastures. Students will practice the use of keys and identification characteristics of common crops, pasture species and where relevant weed species.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour)
03. Investigate, develop and present a crop and/or pasture establishment program in a format suitable for a professional audience
- Activities:
- Students will research and develop fundamental aspects of a crop or pasture establishment program. Establishment may be demonstrated on farm.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour)
04. Measure plant growth and yield of crops and/or pastures
- Activities:
- Practical sessions and lectures will be used to introduce the students to commonly used scientific measures of crops and pasture growth stages and yield. The self-directed practical sessions will be used for these exercises.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Identify common weeds, pests and diseases of crops and pastures and discuss the range of management options to control them
- Activities:
- Practical sessions will be used to identify weeds, pests and diseases of crops and pasture. A range of keys will be used. Methods of assessing for suitable controls measures and their efficacy will be explored.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Epping, 2019, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorPenelope Smith
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
"Recorded via ZOOM"
Industry Based Learning-Off SiteWeek: 10 - 22
One 8.0 hours industry based learning-off site per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"A field trip is included to view agronomical industry"
Field TripWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours field trip other recurrence on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Experimental kit is provided for students as self-directed. Farm visits for the remainder of experimental"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Assessment - 2 Reports (200-word, total), 1 Report (300-word) | The first assessment feedback will be given to the student before the second report Is due. This will enable students to apply the feedback from the first assessment to second assessment. | 30 | 01, 02, 03 |
| Assignment (1,500-words) | 30 | 02, 04, 05 | |
| Tutorial Assessment (100-words equivalency) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Written Exam (2 hours) (2,000-words equivalent) | Exams will be completed at Melbourne Polytechnic campus | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 |