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AGR206

Crop Anatomy, Taxonomy and Physiology

This course introduces the anatomy, taxonomy, and physiology of crops. It explores plant taxonomy, anatomy, and physiology as tools for ensuring physiological considerations in agricultural activities. The course covers basic principles and applications of physiology for agricultural crops, emphasizing the need for a different type of agriculture to support increasing food needs facing climatic changes and stress conditions. Basic tools for anatomy and physiology will be evaluated.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
80 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, practical
Practical work
Yes
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assignments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

AGR206 · UNIT 1 MEANING OF PLANT TAXONOMY AND ANATOMY

The nomenclatures of plants are sometimes changed. E.g. Eupatorium odoratum to Chromolaena odorata; Voandzeia subterranean to Vigna subterranean. Such changes are based on new information that will enable the taxonomist to name and classify plants according to acceptable rules of plant nomenclature.

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain plant taxonomy and anatomy.
  2. Describe plant cell structure and function.
  3. Discuss the principles of crop physiology.
  4. Explain mineral nutrition and nutrient uptake mechanisms.
  5. Describe plant growth regulators and their effects.
  6. Discuss photosynthesis, translocation, and transpiration.
  7. Explain seed germination and dormancy.
  8. Describe plant morphogenesis and morphogenetic factors.
  9. Explain plant embryology.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Agronomist
  • Plant Breeder
  • Horticulturalist
  • Crop Physiologist
  • Agricultural Consultant
Where it is applied
  • Agriculture
  • Horticulture
  • Plant Biotechnology
  • Crop Production
  • Agricultural Research
Tools
  • Microscopes
  • Laboratory Equipment

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Plant Taxonomy And Anatomy

    Unit 2: Tools and Techniques in Plant Anatomy

    Requires understanding of microscopic techniques and detailed plant structures.

  • Module 4: Mineral Nutrition of Plants: Functions and Deficiency Symptoms of Nutrients, Nutrient Uptake Mechanisms

    Unit 1: Meaning of Mineral Nutrition

    Understanding the complex interactions between nutrients and plant physiology requires strong foundation in chemistry.

  • Module 6: Plant Functions

    Unit 2 Translocation

    Advanced understanding of translocation mechanism requires strong background in plant physiology.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Plant Taxonomy And Anatomy
    • Unit 1: Meaning of Plant Taxonomy and Anatomy · 1.5 hours

      Define plant taxonomy and anatomy.. Discuss the importance of systematics.. Explain the aims of plant taxonomy..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Plant Taxonomy And Anatomy
    • Unit 2: Tools and Techniques in Plant Anatomy · 2 hours

      Describe the parts of a compound microscope.. Explain the techniques of sectioning and staining.. Discuss mounting media and techniques.. Identify common stains for plant cells..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Plant Taxonomy And Anatomy
    • Unit 3: Root Anatomy · 1.5 hours

      Describe the structure of roots.. Explain the functions of roots.. Identify anatomical features of roots..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Plant Taxonomy And Anatomy
    • Unit 4: Shoot Anatomy · 2 hours

      Describe the functions of the stem.. Differentiate between dicot and monocot stems.. Explain shoot anatomy..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Plant Taxonomy And Anatomy
    • Unit 5: Leaf Anatomy · 1.5 hours

      State the general characteristics of leaves.. Differentiate between dicot and monocot leaves.. Explain leaf anatomy..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Plant Cell: An Overview
    • Unit 1: Brief Overview of Plant Cell · 2 hours

      Define plant cell.. Describe the structure of plant cells.. Compare plant and animal cells..

  7. Week 7Module 2: Plant Cell: An Overview
    • Unit 2: Brief Description of Various Organelles and Their Functions · 2 hours

      Describe the functions of the cell wall, protoplasm, and cell membrane.. Explain the roles of the nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes.. Discuss the functions of the Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Crop Physiology and Its Importance in Agriculture
    • Unit 1: A brief history of Crop Physiology · 1.5 hours

      Outline the history of crop physiology.. Explain the importance of crop physiology in agriculture.. Discuss experiments on plant nutrition and transportation..

  9. Week 9Module 3: Crop Physiology and Its Importance in Agriculture
    • Unit 2: Meaning of Crop Physiology and its Importance in Agriculture · 2 hours

      Define crop physiology.. Explain the importance of crop physiology in agriculture.. Discuss the role of seed physiology.. Explain the importance of optimum seedling growth and plant population..

  10. Week 10Module 3: Crop Physiology and Its Importance in Agriculture
    • Unit 3: Physiology of Flowering Plants · 2 hours

      Explain the effect of photoperiod on flowering in plants.. Discuss the effect of quality of light and phytochrome on flowering.. Explain the practical utilization of photoperiodism and vernalization..

  11. Week 11Module 4: Mineral Nutrition of Plants: Functions and Deficiency Symptoms of Nutrients, Nutrient Uptake Mechanisms
    • Unit 1: Meaning of Mineral Nutrition · 2 hours

      Explain the meaning of mineral nutrition.. Discuss the criteria of essentiality of mineral elements.. List the specific roles of essential mineral elements.. Explain the physiology of nutrient uptake..

  12. Week 12Module 5: Plant Growth and Regulators
    • Unit 1: Plant Growth Regulators · 2 hours

      Explain the general account of plant hormones.. Discuss the physiological effect of Auxin, Gibberellin, Cytokinin, Abscissic acid and Ethylene.. Differentiate between cell differentiation and its processes..

    • Unit 2: Plant Growth · 2 hours

      Understand general concept of plant growth. Differentiate between cell differentiation and its processes.

  13. Week 13Module 6: Plant Functions
    • Unit 2 Translocation · 2 hours

      Explain the Meaning and Definition of Photosynthesis. Discuss translocation mechanism. Explain the environmental factors affecting transpiration rates. Distinguish between root pressure and transpiration pull.

    • Seed Dormancy: Causes and Types · 2 hours

      Explains seed dormancy and its importance. Discuss the types of dormancy. Explain the techniques for breaking different types of dormancy. Discuss the factors affecting germination. Explain the concept Mobilization of energy and food reserves in germination.

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create detailed concept maps linking plant anatomy, taxonomy, and physiology.
  • Practice identifying plant cell structures under a microscope.
  • Review the specific roles of essential mineral elements and their deficiency symptoms.
  • Understand the mechanisms of photosynthesis, translocation, and transpiration.
  • Study the different types of seed dormancy and techniques for breaking them.
  • Focus on the key concepts of plant morphogenesis and the factors that influence it.
  • Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions.
  • Allocate specific time slots for each module and unit to ensure comprehensive coverage.
  • Practice answering past exam questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format.
  • Create flashcards for key terms and definitions to aid memorization.

Questions students ask about this course

What is AGR206 about?

This course introduces the anatomy, taxonomy, and physiology of crops. It explores plant taxonomy, anatomy, and physiology as tools for ensuring physiological considerations in agricultural activities. The course covers basic principles and applications of physiology for agricultural crops, emphasizing the need for a different type of agriculture to support increasing food needs facing climatic changes and stress conditions. Basic tools for anatomy and physiology will be evaluated.

How many units does AGR206 have?

AGR206, Crop Anatomy, Taxonomy and Physiology, has 23 units across 9 modules, over 242 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is AGR206?

AGR206 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Agricultural Sciences.

Is AGR206 hard?

AGR206 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.

How long does AGR206 take to study?

About 80 hours of study, spread across its 23 units.

How is AGR206 assessed?

AGR206 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.

What can I do with AGR206?

Agronomist, Plant Breeder, Horticulturalist, Crop Physiologist and Agricultural Consultant.

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