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Basics in Field Cultivation

Course developers

Prior knowledge

LauZ2046, Agricultural Resources

Course abstract

Objectives of the study subject are to provide students with basics and actualities in soil tillage, crop growing factors and its control. Weed biology, classification and control. Yield lost estimation and effectiveness of weed control. Crop rotations and soil tillage systems.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will obtain the knowledge in soil tillage, weed biology and control, the scientific basis for crop rotations and tillage system planning. They will obtain the practical skills in weed systematics, estimation of crop weedness, planning of weed control, soil tillage technologies and crop rotation design. This competence is necessary for students as future farmers or farmer advisors.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction to the study course.
2. Field cultivation laws. Plant life factors.
3. Biological classification of weeds. Characterization of the main weed species and biological groups in Latvia.
4. Weed control methods and techniques (provocation, suffocation, mildew).
5. Herbicides, their classification. General conditions of use of herbicides.
Test No 1. Test on previously acquired topics (point 1 to 5).

6. Crop sequence and crop rotation in crop cultivation systems.
7. Crop sequence. Biological, physical, chemical and economic necessities causes of crop sequence.
8. Justification of crop sequence. Suitable precrops and aftercrops for crops.
9. Agro-technical scheme for crop sequence system.
Test No 2. Test on previously acquired topics (point 6 to 9).

10. Soil agrophysical properties, soil structure and their water resistance.
11. Packing density, bulk density and density of soil.
12. Tillage operations and tillage technique.
13. Classification of tillage practice and differentiating factors.
14. Importance of tillage practice after post-mortem in the regulation of plant life factors.
15. Soil fertility rating in crop rotation. Muck balance.
16. Agricultural systems, their classification.
Test No 3. Test on previously acquired topics (point 10 to 16).

List of laboratory works. 16 hours
1. Biological classification of weeds.
2. Identification of weed sprouts. 2 hours
3. Identification of weed seeds and root system. 2 hours
4. Technological conditions of the territory. Crop place in crop sequence. 2 hours
5. Location of crops in different land capability groups. 2 hours
6. Crop rotation. Methods of crop rotation drawing. 2 hours
7. Soil structure.
8. Determination of packing density. Determination of soil penetration resistance. 2 hours

9. Compilation of soil tillage and weed control plan for crop rotation. 2 hours

Requirements for awarding credit points

Three test papers should be written with a mark after mastering certain topics. Each test consists of three theoretical questions.
Laboratory works must be developed and answered.
Elaboration of delayed laboratory works according to the LLU order, repetition of pending tests at the time set by the lecturer.
Written exam at the end of the course.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Literature studies.
Processing and presentation of laboratory results.
Preparation for tests.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course exam depends on the cumulative evaluation of the exam answers and the examination tests.
Students who have an average grade of 7 in this course may not pass the written exam and will be given an arithmetic grade from the grade in the course.
In order to be able to pass the exam, all papers marked with a mark must pass at least 4 points. Unsuccessful jobs must be retried until positive.
Control tests are graded on a 10-point scale. Laboratory work with pass or fail.

Compulsory reading

1. Horn R., Fleige H., Peth S., Peng X. (2006). Soil Management for Sustainability. Advances in Geoecology 38. Germany: Reiskirchen. 497 p.
2. Kārkliņš A. (2012). Zeme, augsne, mēslojums: Terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca. Jelgava: LLU. 477 lpp.
3. Labas lauksaimniecības prakses nosacījumi Latvijā (1999). Jelgava: LLU. 103 lpp.
4. Lapiņš D., Kažotnieks J. (2002). Laukkopība. Ozolnieki: LLKC. 247 lpp.
5. Reeder R. (2000). Conservation Tillage Systems and Management. Second edition. Iowa: Iowa State University. 270 p.

Further reading

1. Heyland K.U. (1991). Integrierte Pflanzenproduktion (System und Organisation). Stuttgart: Ulmer. 296 S.
2. Lapiņš D. (1998). Nezāles, un to apkarošana. Jelgava: LLKC. 135 lpp.
3. Lapiņš D., Kažotnieks J. (1998). Augsnes apstrāde. Ozolnieki: LLKC. 97 lpp.
4. Lapiņš D., Lejiņa B. (1997). Augsekas. Ozolnieki: LLKC. 80 lpp.
5. Rubenis J., Lapiņš D. (1992). Bioloģiskā zemkopība. Rīga: LZB. 44 lpp.

6. Воробьев С.А., Каштанов А.Н., Лыков А.М., Макаров И.П. (1991). Земледелие. Под ред. С.А. Воробьева. М.: Агропромиздат. 527 с.

Periodicals and other sources

Žurnāli:
Agro Tops

Saimnieks LV