Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Course Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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AGA 114 - Principles of Agronomy

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Open
An introductory course in the general principles of crop production and management. Major areas of study are food production, crop classification, plant growth factors, seed production and variety selection.
Competencies
  1. Describe the economic impact of Iowa production on the state, nation and the world
    1. List Iowa’s rank in production of major crops
    2. Name states that are major producers of corn and soybeans
    3. Cite economic importance of crop production in the United States
    4. Outline the economic impact of Iowa crop production on the world
  2. Identify industry production trends of the corn and soybean industry
    1. Prepare a chart showing advances in soybean yield over the past fifty years
    2. Review the development of hybrid corn
    3. Summarize production trends for corn
  3. Describe the principle of maximum economic yields
  4. Define temperature and humidity and explain their effect on crop production
    1. Describe growing degree days (GDD).
    2. Outline the effect of adverse weather on crop production
  5. Identify the environmental impact of plant production practices
    1. Illustrate various erosion controlling practices
    2. Describe crop rotations and their environmental impact
    3. Discuss the importance of crop residue
    4. Review the impact on the environment from chemicals
  6. List the steps in selection of field crop enterprises and cropping systems
    1. Identify enterprises adapted to Iowa
    2. Identify alternative crop enterprises suited to Iowa
  7. Identify plant structures
    1. Label diagrams of plant vegetative parts
    2. Identify the reproductive parts of corn and soybeans
    3. Review the makeup of the vascular system of a corn plant
  8. Describe plant growth and development
    1. Identify the stages of growth in the corn plant
    2. Label the stages of growth in the soybean plant
    3. Identify the stages of growth in the oat plant
  9. Identify field crops, forages and grasses
  10. Explain how the process of plant genetics, reproduction and biotechnology relate to seed selection in the field
    1. Illustrate the ability of the plant to be both male and female
    2. Diagram the pedigree of a corn plant
    3. Explain the purpose of detasseling corn
  11. Explain the relationship between fertilization and financial return
    1. Compare research results from fertilizer trials
    2. Examine positive interaction between types of fertilizers
    3. Compare fertilization affect on disease levels
  12. Describe the relationship between percent slope and soil loss
    1. State how to determine percent slope
    2. List the percent slope for each class of land
  13. Explain pH and nutrient availability relationships
    1. Describe the pH scale.
    2. Identify the most desirable pH on nutrient availability
    3. Outline the effect of pH on nutrient availability
  14. Assess methods of managing soil and climate conditions to increase yields
    1. Investigate the advantages and disadvantages of irrigation
    2. Explain the effect of soil compaction on yields
    3. Describe no-till and minimum tillage
    4. Compare fall and spring plowing
  15. Summarize the interaction between treatments and maximum economic yield
  16. Explain energy economics of fertilizer and energy use efficiency
    1. Defend the statement, agriculture is the biggest user of solar energy
    2. Relate how solar energy flows into harvestable energy for plants
    3. Describe how lower yields quickly rob energy profits
  17. Explain cultural practices for profitable corn production
    1. Summarize the importance of early planting
    2. Review the effect of plant population on yields
    3. State the importance of proper row width
  18. Describe proper methods of producing soybeans for maximum profit
    1. State the importance of soil pH on soybean yields
    2. State the importance of narrow rows to high soybean yields
    3. Describe the Iowa Soybean Yield trials
    4. Name the proper time to plant soybeans in Iowa
  19. Describe correct procedures for small grain and wheat production
    1. Outline the areas of the country suitable for small grain production
    2. List the correct seeding rate for oats
    3. Identify the diseases attaching small grains
  20. Identify important production practices for alfalfa and other forages
    1. Explain the relationship between high alfalfa yields and profit potential
    2. Cite the most desirable pH for alfalfa production
    3. Select the best time to harvest alfalfa
  21. Explain the methods employed in seed production
    1. Define a single cross hybrid
    2. Define a double cross hybrid
    3. Review the function of detasseling corn
  22. Identify the resources available in selecting the proper variety



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