ARABLE CROP PRODUCTION
- Agricultural Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 46 pages
- 6 units
This course provides a comprehensive overview of arable crop production, focusing on key families like Gramineae and Leguminosae, and essential crops such as maize, rice, cowpea, cassava, yam, sweet potato, and cotton. It covers cultivation techniques, climatic and soil requirements, pest and disease management, and harvesting and storage practices. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for efficient and sustainable arable crop production in West Africa.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ACP301 · MODULE 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.)
The quality of maize determines its uses. If the grain is to be used as seed, it should be pure, alive, have a good yield and be free from disease and insect pests. If the grain is to be eaten by man or livestock, a high protein content is desirable and it must taste good.
What you should be able to do
- Describe the botanical characteristics of major arable crops
- Apply appropriate cultivation techniques for different crops
- Identify and manage common pests and diseases
- Implement effective harvesting and storage practices
- Evaluate the climatic and soil requirements for crop production
- Understand the economic importance of arable crops in West Africa
What it prepares you for
- Agronomist
- Farm Manager
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Crop Production Specialist
- Agricultural Researcher
- Agriculture
- Food Production
- Agribusiness
- Research Institutions
- Government Agencies
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.)
Unit 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.)
Understanding the different methods of planting (upland vs swamp) and the specific requirements for each can be challenging due to the variations in water management and soil preparation.
- Module 2: Family Leguminosae
Unit 2: Family Leguminosae
Identifying and differentiating the various pests and beetles that attack cowpeas at different stages of growth requires careful observation and knowledge of their life cycles.
- Module 3: ROOT AND TUBER CROPS
Unit 3: Root and Tuber Crops
The innovative method of propagating yam through vine cuttings with carbonized rice husks requires understanding of the process and its advantages over traditional methods.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 50 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.)
Unit 1: Introduction · 3 hours
Study the botanical characteristics of Gramineae family. Identify different parts of a grass spikelet. Understand the floral formula of Gramineae.
- Week 2Module 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.)
Unit 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.) · 4 hours
Examine the climatic and soil requirements for maize. Study the cultivation practices including land preparation, sowing, and thinning. Understand the methods of weeding, harvesting, and storage.
- Week 3Module 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.)
Unit 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.) · 4 hours
Learn about maize diseases and their control measures. Study the pests of maize and methods to control insect infestation. Understand non-insect pests and their management.
- Week 4Module 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.)
Unit 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.) · 4 hours
Study the climatic requirements for rice cultivation. Understand the cultivation of upland and swamp rice. Learn about terrestrial and earthwork practices.
- Week 5Module 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.)
Unit 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.) · 4 hours
Study the nursery practices for rice cultivation. Understand the methods of planting rice. Learn about rice pests and their control measures.
- Week 6Module 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.)
Unit 1: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE) (10,000 SP.) · 4 hours
Study the varieties of guinea corn grown. Understand the yield potential of guinea corn. Learn about the diseases and pests affecting guinea corn.
- Week 7Module 2: Family Leguminosae
Unit 2: Family Leguminosae · 3 hours
Study the botany of the Leguminosae family. Understand the characteristics of pulses (grain legumes). Learn about the cultivation practices for cowpea.
- Week 8Module 2: Family Leguminosae
Unit 2: Family Leguminosae · 4 hours
Study the yield potential of cowpea. Understand the pests affecting cowpea and their control measures. Learn about beetles and their impact on cowpea.
- Week 9Module 3: ROOT AND TUBER CROPS
Unit 3: Root and Tuber Crops · 4 hours
Study the climatic and soil requirements for cassava. Understand the varieties of cassava grown. Learn about the cultivation practices for cassava.
- Week 10Module 3: ROOT AND TUBER CROPS
Unit 3: Root and Tuber Crops · 4 hours
Study the yield potential of cassava. Understand the diseases and pests affecting cassava. Learn about the climatic and soil requirements for yam.
- Week 11Module 3: ROOT AND TUBER CROPS
Unit 3: Root and Tuber Crops · 4 hours
Study the varieties of yam grown. Understand the cultivation practices for yam. Learn about the yield potential and storage methods for yam.
- Week 12Module 3: ROOT AND TUBER CROPS
Unit 3: Root and Tuber Crops · 4 hours
Study the diseases and pests affecting yam. Understand the climatic and soil requirements for sweet potato. Learn about the varieties of sweet potato grown.
- Week 13Module 4: FAMILY MALVACEAE
Unit 4: Family Malvaceae · 4 hours
Study the cultivation practices for sweet potato. Understand the yield potential and pests affecting sweet potato. Study the botany of the Malvaceae family and cotton.
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed crop-specific cultivation calendars summarizing key stages and requirements from Units 1, 2, and 3
- Develop pest and disease identification guides with control measures from all units
- Practice identifying plant families (Gramineae, Leguminosae, Malvaceae, Zingiberaceae) based on botanical characteristics
- Focus on understanding the specific climatic and soil requirements for each crop
- Review the different cultivation methods for rice (upland vs. swamp) and yam (mounds vs. ridges)
- Prepare case studies on integrated pest management strategies for maize, cowpea, and cotton
Questions students ask about this course
What is ACP301 about?
This course provides a comprehensive overview of arable crop production, focusing on key families like Gramineae and Leguminosae, and essential crops such as maize, rice, cowpea, cassava, yam, sweet potato, and cotton. It covers cultivation techniques, climatic and soil requirements, pest and disease management, and harvesting and storage practices. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for efficient and sustainable arable crop production in West Africa.
How many units does ACP301 have?
ACP301, ARABLE CROP PRODUCTION, has 6 units across 5 modules, over 46 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ACP301?
ACP301 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is ACP301 hard?
ACP301 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does ACP301 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 6 units.
How is ACP301 assessed?
ACP301 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with ACP301?
Agronomist, Farm Manager, Agricultural Extension Officer, Crop Production Specialist and Agricultural Researcher.