CRS 1301 CROP PRODUCTION PRACTICAL SKILLS

2. COORDINATORS:
G. Tusiime (B.Sc (Agric.) MUK, M.Sc., MUK; PhD, MUK.) and
Mr. G. Kyeyune (ODST-Biol, Kyambogo , BBLT. Mak).
N.B: The course is taught by different lecturers with expertise in particular fields

3. COURSE TYPE: CORE (B.Sc. Agric. I, B. Hort)

4. COURSE SRUCTURE
Course Credits (CU): 3 CU i.e. 90 field practical hours (equivalent to 45 Contact Hours)
Course Duration: 10 weeks (90 PH)

5. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is given to students registered for BSc (Agric.) and B.Hort degree courses in the Faculty of Agriculture
after undergoing introductory theory courses and laboratory based practical sessions. In this course, students
practice all aspects of crop production learnt in class. The course covers aspects of seed and planting material
selection, seedbed preparation and planting/sowing for annual, perennial and horticultural crops including flowers. It
also covers aspects of insect and disease identification and management. Practical skills are also built in tissue
culture practices, pasture agronomy, practical plant breeding, biometrics and experimental techniques.

6. COURSE OBJECTIVES
 To make students translate theory of crop production into practice
 To impart agricultural practical skills to students
 To allow students develop skills of decision making in a real field environment

7. RECOMMENDED REFERENCES FOR READING

 Agrios, G. N. 1997. Plant Pathology (4th Edition) Academic Press.
 Purseglove J. W. 1988. Tropical Crops: Dicotyledons. ELBS/Longman. 719pp.
 Purseglove J. W. 1988. Tropical Crops: Dicotyledons. ELBS/Longman.
 Little T. M and Hills J. 1978. Agricultural Experimentation: Design and analysis. 350pp.
 Hassal, K. A. 1969. World Crop Protection. Vol 2. Pesticides. 249.

8. COURSE CONTENT, METHODS OF INSTRUCTION, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

TOPIC CONTENT METHOD OF TOOLS /
INSTRUCTION / Time EQUIPMENT
allocated NEEDED
1. Vegetable  Nursery and seed-bed preparation  Introductory Chalk / BB
growing  Choice of nursery site lecture Garden tools,
practices  Equipment required for nursery bed  Field interactive Seed of various
preparation demonstration crops
 Orientation of nursery  Students’ hands- Tape-measure
 Management of seedlings in the on practice (9hrs) Stakes and ropes
nursery
 Hardening of seedlings
2. Tissue culture  The concept of totipotency  Introductory lecture Chalk / BB
 Asepsis techniques  Practical laboratory TC media,
 Ex-plant initiation and transfer demonstration Explants
 Students’ hand-on Knives and beakers
 practice (9hrs)
3. Plant  Practice of propagation through  Introductory lecture Chalk / BB
propagation vegetative materials  Interactive Propagating
 Types of propagation media demonstration material
 Grafting techniques  Students’ hand- Propagating media
 Management of grafted material on practice (9hrs)

4: Annual and  Choice of seed bed for particular  Interactive lecture Chalk / BB,
Perennial Crops crops  Interactive practical Seed samples,
Agronomy  Quality aspects of good seed demonstration Fertiliser samples,
and planting material  Students’ hand-on Clean lake sand,
 Seed germination tests practice (9hrs) Plastic buckets.
 Equipment for and seed bed
preparation
 Seed rates and seed rate
determination
 Fertilizer requirements and
application rate determination
5: Statistics:  Introduction to experimental  Interactive lecture Chalk / BB and
designs  Field practical
 The research process and demonstration Pasture crops seed
research planning  Students’ practical samples.
exercises
6: Pasture  Pasture crops identification  Interactive lecture Chalk / BB and
agronomy  Handling of pasture seed  Field practical LCD projector,
 Pasture establishment and identification of pasture
management species Transport for 80
 Laboratory
identification of pasture
seed.
7: Plant disease  Disease, insect and nematode damage  Interactive lecture Chalk / BB,
and insect pest symptoms  Field scouting for plant Pocket knives,
and nematode  Disease identification disease samples and Hand held
management  Insect pest identification disease identification magnifying lens
 Nematode identification
 Choice of management approaches
8 Plant  Demonstration of genetic  Interactive lecture Chalk / BB
breeding variation and its importance in plant  Germplasm field
breeding collection visit
 Planning of plant breeding
experiments
9: Floriculture:  Types of flowers; Propagation of  Interactive lecture Chalk / BB
flowers  Interactive
 Management and pest control in demonstration on Transport for 80
flowers flower propagation and
Visit to a commercial flower far. pest management
 A visit to a commercial
flower farm
10: Harvesting  Determination of harvest time  Interactive lecture Chalk / BB
and post-harvest  Harvest practices for different crops  Field visit to see
handling:  Post harvest handling of produce harvesting practices Transport for 80
 Visit to the NARO
Post-harvest
laboratory, Kawanda.

9. SUMMARY OF TIME NEEDED

Interactive Lectures and Practical sessions 90 hrs

10. COURSE ASSESSMENT:

End of topic tests There will be 10 tests in all one after completion of each topic. 20%
Practical reports Students will write a practical report for each of the 10 topics 20%
Final Examination: Final examination during week 11 of the semester 60%