305335 (v.2) Advanced Cropping Systems 502

Area:

Muresk Institute

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

5.0

Lecture:

1 x 2 Hours Weekly

Seminar:

1 x 3 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

Adaptation of crops to dry land agriculture and the constraints to crop production in Western Australia. Principles of plant breeding and application of biotechnology in crop improvement. Recent advances in crop research. Design, conduct, collect, analyse and interpret data from field experiments and write a scientific report. Written and oral scientific communication.

Unit Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students will have - Identified the constraints to crop production in Western Australia and selected methods of minimising these. Explained the physiological basis of adaption of cereals, pulses, oilseeds and tropical/summer crops with special referance to the grain belt of Western Australia. Explained the principles of crop breeding and application of biotechnology to crop improvement. Explored recent advances in crop and pasture research and analyse their implications to the farmers in Western Australia. Demonstrated ability to plan, design, conduct feild experiments, collect, analyse and write scientific reports. Demonstrated the capacity to participate in a team and the ability to network. Demonstrated the ability to locate, evaluate, manage and use information in a variety of forms. Demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate scientifically in written and oral form.

Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.

Unit References:

Gooding, M.J. and Davies, W.P., (1997), Wheat production and utilization- Systems, Quality and the Environment, Wallingford, CAB International. Gresshoff, P.E., (ed), (1997), Technology transfer for Biotechnology, Florida, CRC Press. Gupta, U.S., (ed), (1995), Production and Improvement of Crops for Drylands, North Lebanon, Science Publishers. Jessop, R.S. and Wright, R.L., (ed), (1991), New Crops- Agronomy and Potential of Alternative Crop Species, Melbourne, Intaka Press. Pratley, J.E., (1994), Principles of Field Crop Production, 3rd ed, Melbourne, Oxford University Press. Satorre, E.H. and Slafer, G.A., (1997), Wheat - Ecology and Physiology of Yield determination, New York, Food Products Press. Smith, D.L. and Hamel, C., (eds), (1999), Crop Yield - Physiology and Processes, Verslag, Springer.

Unit Texts:

Anderson, W.K. and Garlinge, J.R., (complied), (2000), The Wheat Book - Principles and Practise, Bulletin 4443, Agriculture Western Australia. Moore, G., (complied and ed), (1998), Soil Guide - A Handbook for understanding and managing agricultural soils, Bulletin 4343, Agriculture Western Australia.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Final Examination 30%. Practical report 20%, Seminar, 10%, Written assignment (1) 20%, Written assignment (2) 20% This is by grade/mark assessment.

Year	Location	Period	Internal	Area External	Central External
2004	Northam Campus	Semester 2	Y