General Course Information
The overall goal of this course is to: 1) increase students’ knowledge of crop production research and development, and 2) enhance students’ ability to critically analyze crop production issues.
The focus of the course material is global. This is important since crop production priorities in developed and less developed countries sometimes differ.
Other course goals include: develop a greater appreciation of historical crop production research; learn new research techniques; enhance your power of observation; learn to think at higher levels of integration; and engage others outside of the class in discussion.
Course activities involve three main areas:
1. Read review papers and book chapters to gain an appreciation of broader issues in crop production.
2. Read scientific research papers to gain an appreciation of specific issues in crop production, to learn new research techniques and approaches, and to put current research into a historical context.
3. Conduct a case study of traditional cropping systems to learn about traditional crop production systems, and to describe crop production at a higher level of integration.
Assignment of Marks
50 marks Weekly summaries (10 x 5 marks each)
25 marks Review and research papers discussion
5 marks Historical context (2 x 2.5 marks each)
20 marks Traditional cropping system presentation
100 marks
Evaluation feedback will be given in the form of marked assignments completed prior to the voluntary withdrawal deadline of March 20, 2008.
Students are required to familiarize themselves with the definition and consequences of plagiarism or cheating on any course assignments as described in the general calendar.
Instructions about Assignments
Weekly Summaries (50%)
Each week, students will be expected to read at least one review paper. Based on the review paper(s), students are to select one or two themes and discuss each of them briefly. (400 words) Summaries should be handed in at the start of class; they will not be accepted after class is over. Content (i.e., understanding of the principle or issue, synthesis, thoughtfulness of response) is of primary importance, however grammar and style will also be considered. Please 1.5x space.
Review and Research Papers Discussion (25%)
Each weekly class time will consist of a discussion of the review and research papers. This discussion will include, but not be limited to, the theme(s) summarized by students in the weekly summary. To facilitate discussion of the research paper, students should be prepared to comment on themes not summarized in the weekly summary, as well as:
1. Context. Why was the study conducted? Why was the review written? What is the overall goal?
2. Hypothesis. What was the specific hypothesis that was being tested? Did the authors present a clear hypothesis?
3. Study. Summarize the study, including clear description of the conclusions. Did the authors meet the objectives stated in the introduction?
4. Next step. If you were the researcher (who conducted the study/wrote the review), what is the next logical research step? Why?
Much depends on the quality of (therefore, preparation for) in-class discussion. In addition to considering and refining their own understanding and opinions, students are expected to engage their colleagues on the weekly topics prior to class. The purpose is to broaden exposure to varying perspectives and opinions on the topics in order to gain a fuller appreciation of the topics. S tudents should try to understand why others might have a differing point of view.
Historical Context (5%)
Select a paper from before 1950 that relates in some way the selected research paper of a given topic. Bring a copy of that paper to class and be prepared to discuss how the "state of the art" in that particular area of research has changed (or not?) over the past 50 (or so) years. This exercise will be conducted on a research paper from each of two weekly topics of students’ choice. Mora Gregg (Agriculture Librarian) has agreed to meet with students regarding how to search for historical literature.
Traditional Cropping System Presentation (20%)
Prepare a presentation of a traditional, low-input crop production system from a foreign country. System selection should be approved by the instructor. In addition to describing a traditional system, the system attributes should briefly be highlighted. Attributes such as food production, system resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses, energy requirements, and how well the system supports the local society should be discussed. The presentation should be between 35 – 50 minutes plus a question and answer period. A hard copy should be made available to the instructor at the time of the presentation.
Advanced Crop Production PLNT 7660 - 2008
Reading List
1. The Present Situation....
January 22, 2008
Review Paper
1. Foster, Phillips and Howard D. Leathers (1999) The World Food Problem. Second Edition. Boulder and London: Lynne Rienner Publishers. (Chapters 6, 7, 11 and 14)
2. Future Prospects and Practical Issues
January 29, 2008
Review papers
1. Canadian Food Security Policy Group. 2003. Four Steps to Make Trade Fair for Hungry Farmers. Brief for the Montreal WTO Mini-Ministerial Meeting
2. Sreenivasan, G. and R. Grinspun. 2002. The Rural Poor and Food Security. Canadian Council for International Co-operation
3. What Direction for Development? Canadian Council for International Co-operation.
4. Oxfam Briefing Paper. 2003. Dumping Without Borders: How US agricultural policies are destroying the livelihoods of Mexican corn farmers.
? 5. Lewis, S. 2005. Race against time. (Selected chapter)
?6. The Global Banquet. (video)
3 . Water
February 7, 2008 (Thursday)
Review Papers
1. Unger, P.W., O.R. Jones, and J.L. Steiner. 1988. Principles of crop and soil management procedures for maximizing production per unit rainfall. p. 97-111. in Bidinger, F.R. and C. Johanson (eds.) Drought research priorities for the dryland tropics. International Crops Research Institute for the Semiarid Tropics (ICRISAT). ICRISAT centre, India. Patancheru, A.P. 502 324, India.
2. Sinclair, T.R. Selecting crops and cropping systems for water-limited environments. p. 87-94 in Bidinger, F.R. and C. Johanson (eds.) Drought research priorities for the dryland tropics. International Crops Research Institute for the Semiarid Tropics (ICRISAT). ICRISAT Centre, India, Patancheru, A.P. 502 324, India.
3. Richards, R.A., G.J. Rebetzke, A.G. Condon, and A.F. Herwaarden. 2002. Breeding opportunities for increasing the efficiency of water use and crop yield in temperate cereals. Crop Sci. 42:111-121.
Research Papers
*4. Cutforth, H.W. and B.G. McConkey. 1997. Stubble height effects on microclimate, yield and water use efficiency of spring wheat grown in a semiarid climate on the Canadian prairies. Can. J. Plant Sci 77:359-366.
5. Huggins, D.R., G.W. Randall and M.P. Russelle. 2001. Subsurface drain losses of water and nitrate following conversion of perennials to row crops. Agron. J 93:477-486.
6. Entz, M.H., W.J. Bullied, D.A. Forster, R. Gulden, and J.K. Vessey. 2001. Extraction of subsoil N by alfalfa, alfalfa-wheat and perennial grass systems. Agron. J. 93:495-503.
7. Angadi, S.V., H.W. Cutforth, P.R. Miller, B.G. McConkey, M.H. Entz, S.A. Brandt and K.M. Volkmar. 2000. Response of three Brassica species to high temperature stress during reproductive growth. Can. J. Plant Sci 80:693-701.
8. Biederbeck, V.O. and O.T. Bouman. 1994. Water use by annual green manure legumes in dryland cropping systems. Agron. J. 86:543-549.
4. Genetic Contributions to Yield
February 12, 2008
Review Papers
1. Evans, L.T. and R.A. Fischer. 1999. Yield potential: Its definition, measurement and significance. Crop Sci. 39:1544-1551.
2. Reynolds, M.P., S. Rajaram and K.D. Sayre. 1999. Physiological and genetic changes of irrigated wheat in the post-green revolution period and approaches for meeting projected global demand. Crop Sci. 39:1611-1621.
Research Papers
3. Austin, R.B. 1999. Yield of wheat in the United Kingdom: Recent advances and prospects. Crop Sci. 1999. 39:1604-1610.
4. Peng, S., K.G. Cassman, S.S. Virmani, J. Sheehy, G.S. Khush. 1999. Yield potential trends of tropical rice since release of IR8 and the challenge of increasing rice yield potential. Crop Sci. 39:1552-1559.
5. Tollenar, M. and J. Wu. 1999. Yield improvement in temperate maize is attributable to greater stress tolerance. Crop Sci. 39:1597-1604.
6. Salih, A.A., I.A. Ali, A. Lux, M. Luxoa, Y. Cohen, Y. Sugimoto and S. Inanaga. 1999. Rooting, water uptake and xylem structure adaptation to drought of two sorghum cultivars. Crop Sci. 39:168-173.
*7. Domitruk, D.R., B.L. Duggan and D.B. Fowler. 2001. Genotype-environment interaction of no-till winter wheat in western Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 81:7-16.
8. Casler, M.D., S.L. Fales, D.J. Undersander and A.R. McElroy. 2001. Genetic progress from 40 years of orchardgrass breeding in North America measured under management-intensive rotational grazing. Can. J Plant Sci. 81:713-721.
9. Haussmann, B.I.G., A.B. Obilana, P.O. Ayiecho, A. Blum, W. Schipprack and H.H. Geiger. 2000. Yield and yield stability of four population types of grain sorghum in a semiarid area of Kenya. Crop Sci. 40:319-329.
10. Hucl, P. 1998. Response to weed control by four spring wheat genotypes differing in competitive ability. Can. J Plant Sci 78:171-173.
5. Soil and Resource Conservation
February 26, 2008
Review Papers
1. Lafond, G.P., S.M. Boyetchko, S.A. Brandt, G.W. Clayton and M.H. Entz. 1996. Influence of changing tillage practices on crop production. Can. J Plant Sci. 76:641-649.
2. Derksen, D.A., R.E. Blackshaw and S.M. Boyetchko. 1996. Sustainability, conservation tillage and weeds in Canada. Can. J Plant Sci. 76:651-660.
3. Gray, R.S., J.S. Taylor and W.J Brown. 1996. Economic factors contributing to the adoption of reducing tillage technologies in central Saskatchewan. Can. J Plant Sci. 76:661-668.
Research Papers
4. Mozafar, A., T. Anken, R. Ruth and E. Frossard. 2000. Tillage intensity, mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal fungi, and nutrient concentrations in maize, wheat and canola. Agron. J. 92:1117-1124.
*5. Bailey, K.L., B.D. Gossen, G.P. Lafond, P.R. Watson and D.A. Derksen. 2001. Effect of tillage and crop rotation on root and foliar diseases of wheat and pea in Saskatchewan from 1991 to 1998: Univariate and multivariate analysis. Can. J Plant Sci. 81:789-803.
6. Bonfil, D.J., I. Mufradi, S. Klitman, and S. Asido. 1999. Wheat grain yield and soil profile water distribution in a no-till arid environment. Agron. J. 91:368-373.
7. Stevenson, F.C., A.M. Johnston, H.J. Beckie, S.A. Brandt and L. Townley-Smith. 1998. Cattle manure as a nutrient source for barley and oilseed crops in zero and conventional tillage systems. Can. J. Plant Sci. 78:409-416.
8. Zentner, R.P., B.G. McConkey, M.A. Stumborg, C.A. Campbell and F. Selles. 1998. Energy performance of conservation tillage management for spring wheat production in the Brown soil zone. Can. J. Plant Sci. 78:553-563.
9. Matus, A., D.A. Derksen, F.L. Walley, H.A. Loeppky and C. van Kessel. 1997. The influence of tillage and crop rotation on nitrogen fixation in lentil and pea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 77:197- 200.
6. Diversity - Temporal
March 11, 2008
Review Paper
1. Karlen, D.L., G.E. Varvel, D.G. Bullock and R.M. Cruse. 1994. Crop rotations for the 21st century. Adv. Agron. 53:1-45.
Research Papers
2. Porter, P.M., R.K. Crookston, J. Harlan Ford, D.R. Huggins, and W.E. Lueschen. 1997. Interrupting yield depression in monoculture corn: Comparative effectiveness of grasses and dicots. Agron. J. 89:247-250.
3. Doberman, A., D. Dawe, R.P. Roetter, and K.G. Cassman. 2000. Reversal of rice yield decline in a long-term continuous cropping experiment. Agron. J. 92:633-643.
4. Nielson, D.C. 2001. Production functions for chickpea, field pea and lentil in the Central Great Plains. Agron. J 93:563-569.
5. Porter, P.M., S.Y. Chen, C.D. Reese and L.D. Klosser. 2001. Population response of soybean cyst nematode to long-term corn-soybean cropping sequences in Minnesota. Agron. J. 93:619-626.
6. Huisman, O.C. and L.J. Ashworth, Jr. 1976. Influence of crop rotation on survival of Verticillium albo-atrum in soils. Phytopathology 66:978-981.
*7. Helmers, G.A., C.F. Yamoah and G.E. Vavrel. 2001. Separating the impacts of crop iversification and rotation on risk. Agron. J. 93:1337-1340.
8. Weston, L.A. Utilization of allelopathy for weed management in agroecosystems. Agron. J. 88:860-866.
9. Kirkland, K.J. and E.N. Johnson. 2000. Alternative seeding dates (fall and April) affect Brassica napus canola yield and quality. Can. J. Plant Sci. 80:713-719.
7 . Diversity - Spatial
March 18, 2008
Review Papers
1. Cruse, R.M. and D.L. Dinnes. 1995. Spatial and temporal diversity in production fields. p. 73-93 in Olson et al. (eds) Exploring the role of diversity in sustainable agriculture. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, 677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711, USA.
2. Baudry, J. and F. Papy. 2001. The role of landscape heterogeniety in the sustainability of cropping systems. p. 243-259 in Nosberger, J, H.H. Geiger and P.C. Struik (eds.). Crop Science: Progress and Prospects. CAB International, UK.
Research Papers
4. Zemenchik, R.A., K.A. Albrecht, C.M. Boerboom, J.G. Lauer. 2000. Corn production with Kura clover as a living mulch. Agron. J. 92:698-705.
5. Drury,, C.F., C. Tan, T.W. Welacky, T.O. Oloya, A.S. Hamill and S.E. Weaver. 1999. Red clover and tillage influence on soil temperature, water content and corn emergence. Agron. J. 91:101-108.
6. Jeranyama, P., O.B. Hesterman, S.R. Waddington and R.R. Harwood. 2000. Relay-intercropping of sunhemp and cowpea into a smallholder maize system in Zimbabwe. Agron. J. 92:239-244.
7. Kort, J. and B. Turnock. 1996. Biomass production and carbon fixation by prairie shelterbelts. Publication of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), Box 940, Indian Head, SK. S0G 2K0. p. 14.
8. Frederick, J.R., P.J. Bauer and W.J. Busscher. 2001. Grain yield and yield components of doublecropped winter wheat as affected by wheat and previous soybean production practices. Crop Sci. 41:778-784.
9. Carr, P.M., J.C. Gardener, B.G. Schatz, S.W. Zwinger and S.J. Guldan. 1995. Grain yield and weed biomass of a wheat-lentil intercrop. Agron. J. 87:574-579.
*10. Thapa, B.B., D.P. Garrity, D.K. Cassel and A.R. Mercado. 2000. Contour grass strips and tillage affect corn production on Philippine Steepland Oxisols. Agron. J. 92:98-105.
11. Jama, B., R.J. Buresch and F.M. Place. 1998. Sesbania tree fallows on phosphorous-deficient sites: Maize yield and financial benefit. Agron. J. 90:717-726.
12. Jobin, B., L. Choiniere and L. Belanger. 2001. Bird use of three types of field margins in relation to intensive agriculture in Quebec, Canada. Agric. Ecosys. and Enviro. 84:131-143.
13. Thomas, S.R. and D. Goulson. 2000. Spatial and temporal distribution of predatory Carabidae in a winter wheat field. Farming systems for the new millennium. Aspects of pplied Biology 62:55-60. c/o Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF, UK.
14. Harmoney, K.R., K.J. Moore, E.C. Brummer, C.L. Burras and J.R. George. 2001. Spatial legume composition and diversity across seeded landscapes. Agron. J. 93:992-1000.
8. Diversity – Canadian
March 25, 2008
Review Papers
All of the following:
Edwards, L, J.R. Burney, G. Richter, and A.H. MacRae. 2000. Evaluation of compost and straw mulching on soil-loss characteristics in erosion plots of potatoes in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Ag., Ecosys. and Env. 81: 217-222.
Estabrooks, E.N. 1993. Paclobutrazol sprays reduce vegetative growth and increase fruit production in young McIntosh apple trees. Can. J. Plant Sci. 73:1127-1135.
Erdle, T.A. 1999. The conflict in managing New Brunswick’s forests for timber and other values. Forestry Chronicle 75: 945-954.
Bartlett , K.J. 1996. World Statistics. p. 109-113. In Just the facts: A review of silviculture and other forestry statistics. Government of Canada.
O’Sullivan, J., R.J. Thomas, and W.J. Bouw. 1998. Effect of imazethapyr and imazamox soil residues on several vegetable crops grown in Ontario. Can. J. Plant Sci. 78: 647-651.
Select 2 of the following (that are outside of your research area):
Derksen, D.A., R.L. Anderson, R.E. Blackshaw and B. Maxwell. 2002. Weed dynamics and management strategies for cropping systems in the northern Great Plains. Agron. J. 94: 174-185.
Grant , C.A. , G.A. Peterson and C.A. Campbell. 2002. Nutrient considerations for diversified cropping systems in the northern Great Plains. Agron. J. 94: 186-198.
Krupinsky, J.M., K.L. Bailey, M.P. McMullen, B.D. Gossen and T.K. Turkington. 2002. Managing plant disease risk in diversified cropping systems. Agron. J. 94: 198-209.
Zentner, R.P., D.D. Wall, C.N. Nagy, E.G. Smith, D.L. Young, P.R. Miller, C.A. Campbell, B.G.
McConkey, S.A. Brandt, G.P. Lafond, A.M. Johnston and D.A. Derksen. 2002. Economics of crop diversification and soil tillage opportunities in the Canadian Prairies. Agron. J. 94: 216-230.
Johnston , A.M., D.L. Tanaka, P.R. Miller, S.A. Brandt, D.C. Nielsen, G.P. Lafond and N.R. Riveland. 2002. Oilseed crops for semiarid cropping systems in the northern Great Plains. Agron. J. 94: 231-240.
Entz, M.H., V.S. Baron, P.M. Carr, D.W. Meyer, S.R. Smith, Jr. and W.P. McCaughey. 2002. Potential of forages to diversify cropping systems in the northern Great Plains. Agron. J. 94: 240-250.
Miller, P.R., B.G. McConkey, G.W. Clayton, S.A. Brandt, J.A. Staricka, A.M. Johnston, G.P.
Lafond, B.G. Schatz, D.D. Baltensperger and K.E. Neill. 2002. Pulse crop adaptation in the northern Great Plains. Agron. J. 94: 261-272.
Research Paper
Ding, W., D.J. Hume, T.J. Vyn, and E.G. Beauchamp. 1998. N credit of soybean to a following corn crop in central Ontario. Can. J. Plant. Sci. 78: 29-33.
9. Long-Term Studies
April 1, 2008
Review Papers
1. Southwood, T.R.E. 1994. The importance of long-term experimentation. p. 3-8 in R.A. Leigh and A.E. Johnston (eds.). Long-term experiments in agricultural and ecological science. CAB International, UK.
2. Greenland, D.J. 1994. Long-term cropping experiments in developing countries: The need, the history and the future. p. 187-209 in R.A. Leigh and A.E. Johnston (eds.). Long-term experiments in agricultural and ecological science. CAB International, UK.
3. Swift, M.J., P.D. Stewart, P.G.H Frost, J.N. Qureshi and F.N. Muchena. 1994. Long-term experiments in Africa: Developing a database for sustainable land use under global change. p. 229-251 in R.A. Leigh and A.E. Johnston (eds.). Long-term experiments in agricultural and ecological science. CAB International, UK.
Research Papers
4. Campbell, C.A., G.P. Lafond and R.P. Zentner. 1993. Spring wheat yield trends as influenced by fertilizers and legumes. J. Prod. Agric. 6:564-568.
*5. Smith, A.E., L. Hume, G.P. Lafond and V.O. Biederbeck. 1991. A review of the effects of long-term 2,4-D and MCPA applications on wheat production and selected biochemical properties of a Black Chernozem. Can. J. Plant Sci. 71:73-87.
6. Goldstein, W.A. 2000. The effect of farming systems on the relationship of corn root growth to grain yields. Am. J. Alt. Agric. 15:101-109.
10. Ecological Agriculture
April 8, 2008
Review Paper
1. Vandermeer, J. 1995. The ecological basis of alternative agriculture. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 26:201-224.
Research Papers
*2. Pant, K.P. and V.K. Pandey. 2001. An alternative agricultural plan for the food-deficient, environmentally fragile hills of Nepal. Am. J. Alt. Agric. 16:114-123.
3. Kayuki, K.C. and C.S. Wortmann. 2001. Plant materials for soil fertility management in subhumid tropical areas. Agron. J 93:929-935.
4. Neupane, R.P. and G.B. Thapa. 2001. Impact of agroforestry intervention on soil fertility and farm income under the subsistence farming system of the middle hills, Nepal. Agric. Ecosys. and Enviro. 84:157-167.
5. Peterson, C., L.E. Drinkwater and P. Wagoner. 1999. The Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial: The first 15 years. p. 40.
6. Griffith, K. and J. Posner. 2000. Comparing upper midwest farming systems. Results from the first 10 years of the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial (WICST). p. 36.
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