Genetic vulnerability of major crops. Mendelian genetic principles and related genetic developments applicable in plant breeding. Discussion of established and new plant breeding procedures applicable to cultivar development. Principle forage crops, pasture production, forage preservation and utilization. Lecture and discussion covering production and utilization, plus growth and development, of a wide range of grain crops, including Missouri crops.
Problem solving tasks include agronomics, economics and environmental factors.
Capstone experience consisting of investigations in Plant Science in support of an undergraduate thesis or special project portfolio. Not accepted as a substitute for any regularly scheduled course. Problems arranged with individual faculty member in specific matter area. Offered when proposed by a faculty member in that area of expertise. Study of the physical properties of soils and methodology of selected instrumentation for the evaluation of those properties.