Plant Production

Subject 208-275 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Twenty-four hours of lectures and 36 hours of tutorials/workshops
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: 208-211 Plant Communities in Action
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Ken Young
Subject Overview:

Plant production appraises plant growth in relation to the environment with an emphasis on parameters that affect plant production from both a yield and quality aspect.

This subject includes:

  • an appraisal of the crop production enterprises - the location, scale and nature of crop production enterprises and their contribution to the national economy; with emphasis on southern Australia;

  • growth, development and yield in crop production - definitions and relations between growth and development attributes, yield and yield components, measurement of crop yields, biological and economical yield and harvest index (complemented by field exercises);

  • environmental constraints limiting productivity - climate and growing season, water and nutrient availability;

  • agronomic management to optimise production and product quality, including water and nutrient management, soil management and rotations;

  • nutrient cycling; and assessment of crop requirements; and

  • problems and prospects of both rain fed and irrigated crop production within farm systems, comparative cost-return analysis, marketing strategies.

Assessment: Three-hour examination (50%), a practical test (10%), one assignment equivalent to 2500 words (20%) and a plant collection (20%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts:

  • Crop Ecology: Productivity and Management in Agricultural Systems (R S Loomis and D J Connor), CUP, 1992
Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Information Not Available
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Agriculture
Bachelor of Agriculture

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