Lesson 1.1 The Science of Crop Production
Completion requirements
Section 1: Fields, Greenhouses, and Gardens
Lesson 1: The Science of Crop Production
Plants play an important part in our lives, from the clothes on our back to the food we eat.
What's more, as the needs of an ever-increasing world population grow, so does the need to develop methods and techniques that will provide new agricultural biotechnologies. These new technologies will pave the way to new agricultural discoveries - everything from improved crops that feed more people to sustainable biofuels that keep things (like our cars) moving.
One needs to look back only a few years in order to appreciate how well the sciences have served us in various ways. This applies in particular to the sciences that deal with the study of plant growth and propagation, namely agronomy and horticulture. Let's consider a brief description of these, so that we can better understand the entire processes and procedures involved in producing plant commodities.
What's more, as the needs of an ever-increasing world population grow, so does the need to develop methods and techniques that will provide new agricultural biotechnologies. These new technologies will pave the way to new agricultural discoveries - everything from improved crops that feed more people to sustainable biofuels that keep things (like our cars) moving.
One needs to look back only a few years in order to appreciate how well the sciences have served us in various ways. This applies in particular to the sciences that deal with the study of plant growth and propagation, namely agronomy and horticulture. Let's consider a brief description of these, so that we can better understand the entire processes and procedures involved in producing plant commodities.
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The Science of Agronomy
Their work deals with food production, managing the environmental impact of agriculture, and creating energy from plants.
- Crop rotation
- Irrigation and drainage
- Plant breeding
- Plant physiology (the physical and chemical functions of plants)
- Soil classification and soil fertility
- Weed control
- Insect and pest control
- Cereals (e.g., wheat, barley, oats, rye, corn, millet, rice)
- Oilseeds (e.g., soybeans, peanuts, canola, mustard, flax)
- Pulses (e.g., beans, peas, lentils)
- Hay and pastures (e.g., grasses, alfalfa, clover)
- Other field crops (e.g., sugar beets, potatoes, tobacco, hemp)
The Science of Horticulture
Horticulture is the science of plant cultivation, including the process of preparing soil for
the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings.
Horticulture usually refers to plant production on a smaller scale, such as is found in greenhouses, plant nurseries, and gardens.
- Plant growth and propagation
- Plant breeding and genetic engineering
- Plant biochemistry and physiology
- Crop quality, yield, and nutritional value
- Resistance to insects, diseases, and environmental stresses
- Landscaping (production and marketing of landscape plants)
- Fruits
- Berries
- Nuts
- Vegetables
- Flowers
- Trees and shrubs
- Turf
Digging Deeper
Careers
Have you thought about a career in Agronomy? Click here to find out how to start your career as an Agronomist.
Perhaps you would prefer to be in the field of Horticulture. Click here to find out how to start a career in Horticulture.
You will think about these and other careers later in the course.
Have you thought about a career in Agronomy? Click here to find out how to start your career as an Agronomist.
Perhaps you would prefer to be in the field of Horticulture. Click here to find out how to start a career in Horticulture.
You will think about these and other careers later in the course.