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AGR156 Plants in Agriculture (8)

Abstract

This subject covers the major areas of plant science and diversity of plant families with agricultural plants studied within their ecological system and natural growth cycle. Students will gain an understanding of plant growth, development, structure and function providing the knowledge required to better manage and use plants as well as how to improve them. Factors affecting plant performance such as plant nutrition, weeds, pests and diseases are introduced along with species of pasture and forage corps and their successful establishment. This subject will provide the foundation of plant knowledge required to progress to more advanced plant management subjects. This subject includes a 3 day residential school.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
InternalCY O'Connor - Muresk Institute
InternalWagga Wagga Campus
Distance*Orange Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: AGR156
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Agricultural and Wine Sciences

Enrolment restrictions

Incompatible subject(s)
PSC102 PSC103

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • Be able to explain the components and interactions of plant systems within a broader ecosystem
  • Be able to describe the scope and diversity of plant life and their products in agriculture
  • Be able to correctly classify plants into family groups
  • Be able to describe and identify the typical growth cycles of agricultural plants
  • Be able to outline the structure and function of essential plant parts
  • Be able to explain the physiological processes necessary for plant growth and development
  • Be able to identify appropriate plant breeding techniques to develop new cultivars of annual and perennial plants
  • Be able to identify and assess the plant performance factors that affect plant growth and development: plant nutrition; weeds; pests and diseases
  • Be able to identify, describe and apply the principles necessary for the successful establishment of pastures and forage crops in a range of situations
  • Be able to explain how competition among plant species affects their growth within an ecosystem.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • The plant system: an ecosystem approach
  • Plant growth and development
  • Plant diversity
  • Plant structure and tissues
  • Plant functions
  • Plants and their environment
  • Plant nutrition
  • Plant competition: weeds, pests and diseases
  • Pasture/forage crop species/cultivar selection and establishment
  • Plant improvement.

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 3 day residential school. The Residential School will have practical sessions that cover:

the concept of plant systems
plant structure: seedlings; stems, roots, leaves; flowers and fruit; plant families
plant function practical: water and nutrient absorption; photosynthesis/respiration; transpiration and translocation
plant nutrition
pests, diseases and weeds
selection and establishment of pasture/forage crops
plant improvement

Specialised Resources

a laboratory coat; closed in shoes; a hat; sun protection. This subject will include a 3 day residential school

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.