Arable Crops II

It is suggested that the student has attended and passed the course “Arable Crops I”.

• Theoretical and practical classes with real-world examples;
• Analysis and discussion of case studies;
• Resolution of technical problems applied to the studied crops;
• Guided discussion of agronomic decisions;
• Development of a practical project based on a real-world case.

The aim is to promote critical analysis skills, technical planning, and informed decision-making.

The objectives to be achieved in the CU are for students to acquire the knowledge that will enable them to develop the following skills:

1. Assess the importance of spring-summer arable crops in the national agricultural context and worldwide;
2. Identify the soil and climate requirements of the main crops;
3. Interpret the influence of environmental factors on growth and productivity;
4. Select and justify cultural techniques appropriate to different production contexts;
5. Analyse management strategies from a perspective of sustainability and efficiency in the use of resources;
6. Quantitatively and qualitatively assess the production of the crops studied;
7. Apply agronomic reasoning to solve technical problems.

• Overview of spring-summer arable crops;
• Economic importance and production regions;
• Soil and climate constraints;
• Vegetative cycle and physiological requirements of: Maize; Rice; Sunflower; Soybean; Other emerging crops.
• Cultural techniques: Soil preparation; Crop installation; Fertilisation; Irrigation; Plant protection.
• Water and nutritional requirements;
• Monitoring of growth and vegetative state;
• Production estimation and quality assessment;
• Sustainability of production systems;
• Environmental impacts of technical options;
• Applied case studies.

NAO