| CODE | RFS2550 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Field Crop Production | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Rural Sciences and Food Systems | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is an introductory course to crop plat identification, classification and use. A comprehensive list of Maltese field crops will be discussed including potatoes, tomatoes, sulla, wheat, barley, onions, globe artichokes, lettuce, carrots, cabbages, gourds, cauliflower, marrow, aubergines, peppers and alternative crops. The course will also focus on the management factors necessary for successful vegetable, fruit and trees production in The Mediterranean region. Planting techniques, irrigation practices, cropping systems, postharvest handling and storage, and budgets. The biological characteristics of each crop will be emphasized in relation to successful production. Study-unit Aims: 鈥� To recognise and appreciate agronomic skills related to practices and techniques of Maltese agriculture production and management; 鈥� To acquaint students with the practices and cropping systems used in Malta; 鈥� To gain an appreciation for the considerations involved in selecting crops and cropping systems that best fit The Mediterranean environment. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 鈥� Understand the basic principles of field crop production systems, including various cultural practise and production systems, harvesting of major field crops in the Mediterranean; 鈥� Comprehend the biological, ecological and agronomic aspects for a sustainable cultivation of the most important arable field crops, vegetables, fruits, forage and pastures in the Mediterranean area. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 鈥� Identify the best crop for the conditions present in a field or groups of fields; 鈥� Manage the sustainable cultivation of the most important arable field crops, vegetables, fruits, forage and pastures in Malta; 鈥� Evaluate and compare sustainable cropping systems. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: 鈥� Pratley, Jim. Principles of field crop production. 4th ed. Oxford U.P., 2003. 550 p. 0-19-551555-2. 鈥� Stephen R. Chapman and Lark P. Carter. Crop production: principles and practices. Freeman, 1976. 566 p. 0-7167-0581-8. 鈥� F.E. Allison. Soil organic matter and its role in crop production. Elsevier Scientific, 1973. 637 p. 0-444-41017-1. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Anton Mangion David Mifsud (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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