Agronomy

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

INTRODUCTION TO AGRONOMIC PRACTICES
Introduction
Crop Types
Plant structure and Function
Transpiration rate
Selection Criteria for Plants
Understanding monoculture
Row Crops
Cover Crops
Crop Operations
Planter types
CULTURE - WHAT INFLUENCES CROP GROWTH
Soils
Problems with soils
Loss of soil problems
Erosion
Salinity
Soil sodicity
Soil acidity and alkalinity
Improving soils
Cultivation techniques
Plant nutrition
Nutrient deficiencies
Organic fertilisers
Soil life
Insect Pests
Diseases
CROP HUSBANDRY PRACTICES
Operations
Identifying weeds
Ways to control weeds
Spraying
Irrigation
Chemical crop protection
Preparing plant pathogens for microscopic observation
Culturing Pathogens
Natural pest and disease control
Physical controls
Organic sprays and dusts
SEED AND SEED MANAGEMENT
Seed storage
Types of seed storage
Seed vigour testing
Dormancy factors affecting germination
Germination treatments
Types of media
Media derived from rock or stone
Media derived from synthetic materials
Organic media
Diseases
Salinty build up
ARABLE CEREAL CROPS
Cereal crops
Zadock scale
Wheat
Barley
Oats
Triticale
Sorghum
Maize
Rice
Millet
Sugar cane
Ryegrass
Hay and Silage
Quality control
Storage and handling
Hydroponic fodder
ARABLE BROADLEAF CROPS
Characteristics of broadleaf crops
Oil crops
Chickpeas
Narrow-leafed lupins
Canola
Faba beans
Cover crops
Common legumes
HARVESTING
Crop preparation for harvest
Crop harvest equipment
Forage harvesting equipment
Cereal harvesting equipment
Root crop harvesting equipment
Grain storage
Contract harvesting
CROP MANAGEMENT - SPECIAL PROJECT
Crop management from planting to post harvest handling