ENAE201
Crop Production Technology
Syllabus
Part I: Agronomy
- Introduction (2 hours)
- Definition and concept of agronomy
- Scope and importance in relation to production and sustainability
- Crop Physiological Processes (2 hours)
- Growth and development of crops
- Nutrient and water uptake and their transportation
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Transpiration
- Photoperiodism
- Flowering and fruiting
- Senescence and aging
- Seeds and Seed Quality (2 hours)
- Definition of seed
- Seed quality and its importance
- Seed viability
- Seed germination
- Seed dormancy
- Production of quality seed
- Seed processing
- Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition (3 hours)
- Basic concept of soil fertility and plant nutrition
- Essential plant nutrients: classification, functions and deficiency or toxicity symptoms in plants
- Inorganic fertilizers: composition and their behavior in soil
- Green manures and bio-fertilizers
- Management of saline, alkaline and acidic soils
- Integrated plant nutrient management system (IPNMS)
- Cropping Systems (3 hours)
- Crop rotation: importance in agriculture system, selection of crops in crop rotation
- Mixed cropping
- Intercropping
- Relay cropping
- Cropping intensity
- Cropping index
- Harvest index
- Climate and Weather Elements on Crop Production (4 hours)
- Solar radiation
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Wind
- Precipitation
- Agro-climatic requirements of major food crops
- Climatic hazards and their management
- Weed Management (2 hours)
- Definition and concept of weeds
- Classification of weeds
- Losses caused by weeds
- Weed management
- Prevention
- Control
- Eradication
- Cultivation Practices of Major Crops (2 hours)
- Cereal crops (Rice, Wheat, Maize)
- Grain legumes (Lentil, green gram)
- Oil seeds (Mustard, Sunflower, Soybean)
- Industrial crops (Sugarcane, Jute, Rubber plant)
- Tuber crops (Potato)
Part II: Horticulture
- Introduction (2 hours)
- Meaning, branches and importance of horticulture
- Scope and feasibility of horticultural development in Nepal
- Classification of horticultural crops
- Physiology of Horticultural Crops (2 hours)
- Seed and bud dormancy
- Factors affecting germination
- Juvenility characteristics and modifications
- Physiology of seedlings
- Flowering, fruit-setting, fruit growth, maturity of horticultural crops
- Ripening and fruit drop
- Tuber and bulb formation
- Production of Vegetables and Spice Crops (2 hours)
- Classification of vegetable and spice crops
- Cultivation practices of major vegetable crops: Cole crops (Cauliflower, cabbage), Bulb crops (Onion), Solanaceous vegetables (Tomato, chilly), Tuber crop (Potato)
- Cultivation practices of major spice crops: Zinger, turmeric, cardamom
- Production of Fruits and Plantation Crops (2 hours)
- Importance and scope of fruits and plantation crops
- Orchard establishment: site selection, layout, selection of crops and spices
- Nursery management and factors affecting seedlings growth
- Principles of sexual, asexual and micro-propagation
- Cultivation practices of major fruit crops: Tropical fruits (Mango, Banana, Litchi), Sub-tropical fruits (Grapes, Guava, Pineapple), Temperate fruits (Apple, Pear, Kiwi), Plantation crops (Tea, Coffee)
Part III: Insect/Pest and Disease Management
- Insect/Pest Management (1 hour)
- Insects of major agronomical and horticultural crops
- Principles and methods of pest control
- Disease Management (1 hour)
- Important diseases of field, vegetable and plantation crops
- Causes of plant diseases (Biotic and Abiotic)
Practicals
Tutorial (15 hours)
- Branches of agronomy and classification of agronomical crops
- Seed testing and certification system in Nepal
- Dominant cropping/farming system in different domains of Nepal
- Cultural practices to improve and maintain soil fertility (Mulching, liming, composting, intercropping, contour farming, alley cropping, terrace farming, agro-forestry)
- Distribution of major vegetables and spice crops in different domains of Nepal
- Soil and climate factors in the production of vegetables and spice crops
- Importance and constraints of resource conservation farming systems in Nepal
- Control measures of major insects of major cereals (Rice, wheat and maize)
- Control measures of major diseases of major cereals (Rice, wheat and maize)
Practical (22.5 hours)
- Identification of crops and their seeds
- Identification of mineral fertilizers and their methods of application in different crops
- Calculation of mineral and organic fertilizers for specific area of land
- Preparation of calendar of operation for mixed cropping, intercropping and relay cropping
- Calculation of seed rate for different crops and planting materials
- Germination, viability and purity test of seeds
- Collection and identification of weeds of major agronomical crops
- Study of commercially available pre and post emergence herbicides with their formulations
- Calculation of rates of insecticides, pesticides and fungicides
- Identification of fruits and plantation crops
- Identification of plants and seeds of vegetables and spices
- Practice on crop cultural operation in field, vegetable, fruits and plantation crops