Soil and Crop Management - 2007
Spring 2007, 209 Bowditch
S. J. Herbert (207 Bowditch)
Tentative Course Schedule

Classes: 9:05 a.m. Mon., Wed. (Lab), Fri.

Intro to Soil and Crop Sciences (Jan. 29)
 Lab 1: Intro to Crop Science, Seed, Roots , Vegetative and Flower Structures (Jan. 31)
Sustainable Agriculture - Economic Importance of Field Crops (Feb. 2)

Threats to Sustainable Agriculture (Feb. 5)
Lab 2: Environment & Crop Production (Feb. 7) Lab Test
Crop Growth and Photosynthetic Efficiency (Feb. 9)
Leaf Area, Light interception and Duration of Photosynthesis (Feb. 12)
Lab 3: Crop Establishment & Fertilizers (Feb. 14) Lab Test
Video "A Diet for a New America" (Feb. 16)
No Class Monday - Presidents Day Holiday (Feb. 19)
Lab 4: Discussion: Sustainable Agric. Policy (Feb. 21) Lab Test
Crop Culture - General Planting Principles and Crop Selection and Crop Rotations (Feb. 23)
Nutrient Requirements of Crops (Feb. 26)
Lab 5: Farm Visit - Nutrient Management Planning (Feb. 28)
Maintaining Soil Productivity and Management Alternatives (Mar. 2)
Cover Crops and Green Manures (Mar. 5)
Lab 6. Nutrient Management Planning and Agronomic Farm Machinery (Mar. 7)
Tillage Systems (Mar. 9)
Tillage Systems (Mar. 12)
First-Term Exam (Mar. 14)
Intro to Field crops (Mar. 16)
Spring Break
Crop Culture - Corn and Sorghum (Mar. 26)
Lab 7: Corn, Sorghum and Small Grains (Mar. 28)
Crop Culture - Rice Plant Types, Rice Plant Growth (Mar. 30)
Crop Culture - Small Grains (Apr. 2)
Lab 8: Large Seeded Legumes (Apr. 4) Lab Test
Crop Culture - Grain Legumes; Soybean (Apr. 6) ( Chickpea, Groundnut, Pigeonpea)
Crop Culture - Oil Seed Crops (Apr. 9)
Lab 9: Oil, Fiber and Annual Fodder Crops (Apr. 11) Lab Test
Cropping Systems - Monoculture, Mixed, Polyculture (Apr. 13)
No Class Monday - Patriots Day Holiday (Apr. 16)
Crop Culture - Perennial Forages: Alfalfa (Monday Class Schedule) (Apr. 17)
Lab 10: Perennial Forages (Apr. 18)
Crop Culture - Perennial Forages: Other Legumes (Apr. 20)
Crop Culture - Perennial Forages: Grasses (Apr. 23)
Lab 11: Forage and Hay Quality, and Preservation (Apr. 25)
Second-Term Exam (Apr. 27)
Crop Culture - Forage and Hay Quality (Apr. 30)
Lab 12: Field Trip (May 2)
Crop Culture - Forage Preservation: Corn Silage (May 4)
Crop Culture - Perennial Forages: Pastures (May 7)
Lab Final Exam (May 9)
Crop Culture - Grazing Management (May 11)
Crop Culture - Review (May 14)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Mini-Term Exams (2)

24% of final grade (i.e. 12% each)

2. Laboratory quizzes

6 quizzes - 18% of final grade
Note: unexcused absence recorded as zero

3. Laboratory final

18% of final grade

4. Final Exam

18% of final grade

5. Assignments, lab exercises and class participation

22% of final grade
As required

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Letter to Mr. I.C. Tiller

2. Participation in Sustainable Agricultural Policy Presentation

3. Summary of Crop Cultural Requirements - Selected Crops

4. Crop-Livestock Nutrient Management Plan and Farm Recommendations

5. Other - to be assigned