CPSC20030 Principles of Crop Science

Academic Year 2020/2021

Overview of crop production systems, concepts in crop production, consideration of the various factors involved in crop production and their effect on yield and quality. The module includes cereal crops, root crops and grassland. Areas covered on cereal and root crops include crop rotation, crop establishment methods, crop nutrition and crop protection. In grassland the areas covered include grazing establishment and management and forage conservation and forage quality. Aspects of crop quality and improvement are also outlined for some crops.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: Understand crop production; Compare and contrast production practices in intensive and low-input systems; Appraise the role of agrochemicals in crop production; Understand the principles of crop nutrition and fertilisation; Recognise key aspects of crop quality; Identify the seasonality of grass growth in Ireland; Recognise the difference in grassland management across enterprises; Understand grass conservation to deal with surpluses/deficits.

Indicative Module Content:

Crop rotations and crop establishment practices
Production practices in intensive and low-input crop production systems
Seeding rates and Sowing dates to optimise crop output
Crop protection form weeds pests and diseases and the role of agrochemicals and cultural practices
The principles of crop nutrition and fertilisation in crop yields and quality
The key aspects of crop quality specifically for malting barley and milling wheat
Grassland production systems
Study the seasonality of grass growth in Ireland
The difference in grassland management across animal-based enterprises

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Specified Learning Activities

20

Autonomous Student Learning

60

Total

104

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

This module is not suitable for Animal & Crop Production students.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Project: library-based project Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

10

Class Test: Extra Credit In-Class Tests may be conducted on a number of occasions.
These will be short 10 minute tests on material covered in a recent lecture.
Unspecified n/a Other No

0

Examination: end of semester exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

70

Multiple Choice Questionnaire: two per semester Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Bridget Lynch Lecturer / Co-Lecturer