Agronomy (AGRO)

This course provides an orientation to the profession of agronomy, agronomy curriculum and college life. Choosing the right majors, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills, graduate schools and careers in agronomy profession will be discussed.

This is an introductory course in agronomy with a goal to provide the general principles underlying crop production. The course examines the dynamics and functions of crop communities, influence of the environment on crop production, plant morphology and metabolism, crop growth and development, plant breeding as well as soil water management. Other topics that will be discussed are cultural practices associated with optimum crop production and commercial production of selected field crops.

Production and management practices for corn, soybeans, small grain, and forage crops common to Midwestern U.S. agriculture. Topics to be covered are growth and development, plant characteristics, crop quality, production practices including crop rotation, tillage, soil fertility, cultivar selection, planting strategies, pest management, and harvesting techniques that optimize production and sustains the natural resource base needed to produce high quality and high yielding crops. Principles of grain and forage crop management will also be utilized in solving on-farm problems.

Gardening and local food production has become increasingly popular as consumers have become more aware of sustainability and rising food costs. This course focuses on establishment and management practices for both small scale and field scale gardens that promote sustainability. Topics to be covered include plant characteristics, plant growth and development, techniques for establishing a garden, management methods for soil health, pests, weeds, and diseases.

This course offers an exploration of horticultural principles and practices, focusing on plant cultivation/propagation techniques, crop specific production practices, as well as general production practices that ensure a safe and healthy food supply for society as a whole while minimizing the impact of agriculture on the environment. Students will gain hands-on experience with growing and caring for a variety of plants while learning about the science and art behind sustainable horticulture. The course integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications to prepare students for careers in agriculture, greenhouse management, or further studies in plant sciences.

An internship with a professionally relevant component. Students are responsible for finding internship opportunities.

Seed formation and development, germination, maturation, dormancy, vigor, conditioning, and quality evaluation. Seed marketing, organization of the Federal Grain Inspection Agency, development and implementation of regulations governing grain inspection, procedures, techniques, and equipment used in grain grading.

Pre- and post-harvest factors affecting the quality of corps. Characteristics, uses, and processing of major food crops. Crop marketing and food safety.

Effects of insects and diseases on agronomic crops. Identification of important groups of insect pests, causal agents, and diagnosis of major crop diseases. Analysis of hosts and the environmental factors influencing the increase and spread of crop pests. Emphasis on the use of integrated pest management strategies.

The course gives an overview of precision agriculture. Emphasis will be on the different technologies that are currently in use and their applications. Topics include geographical information systems, geographical positioning systems, geo-stationary satellite systems, remote sensing, soil/landscape variability, soil fertility, soil sampling and testing, data collection, processing and management, site-specific farm management, yield monitoring systems, yield maps, and economic considerations in site specific farming.

Leadership, Decision-making and Problem-solving. Forum where students interact with professionals in the field of agronomy. Course will include presentations from speakers working in agricultural fields and lectures. Students will have to prepare position papers and solutions to current issues affecting Minnesota Agriculture.

This is an applied science course. The course covers: -The identification, biology, and ecology of weeds, -Weed management by cultural, mechanical, chemical, and biological means, -Integrated Weed Management, -Herbicides and factors influencing their use, -Sprayer calibration and dosage calculations, and -Laws and regulations governing herbicide use.

An introductory plant breeding course designed to provide the basic principles of cultivar development. Emphasis will be on traditional methods used in developing improved cultivars of field crops and the genetic principles on which breeding methods are based. Additional topics to be covered include biotechnology and germplasm preservation.

This course examines the concept of sustainable agriculture by looking at the three major themes of sustainability. Students will be introduced to the social, economic, and environmental issues affecting agricultural sustainability. The patterns and trends of agricultural production systems will be examined and strategies for implementing sustainable agricultural enterprises discussed. This is a team-taught course and will include lectures, discussions, guest speakers, and field trips.

This course deals with the design of experiments for agronomic and plant breeding research. Design, analysis, and interpretation of both field and greenhouse experiments will be discussed.

Arranged Independent Study in Agronomy