Mrs. Schaffner

the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber,

and reclamation.

SCIENCEBiologyChemistryEconomicsEcologyEarth scienceGenetics

Agronomist today are involved with many issues including …

producing foodcreating healthier foodmanaging environmental impact of

agriculturecreating energy from plants.

Crop RotationIrrigation DrainagePlant breedingplant physiologysoil classificationsoil fertilityweed controlinsectpest control

Selective Breeding of Plants to produce the best crop under various conditions

Increase crop yieldImprove nutritional valueDevelop new types of plants (hybrid)Must meet the following:

MarketLand and water accessQuality and quantity inputsRisk protectionAgricultural credit

lab activity requiring field testing of the new crop varieties that are developed.

Defined as: manipulation involving taking genes from their normal location in one organism and either transferring them elsewhere or putting them back into the original organism

A part of BiotechnologyAmerican Association of the Advancement of

Science called genetic engineering one of the 4 major scientific revolutions of this century.

1944 DNA ID as genetic material1952 Double strand DNA structure ID1973 First transgenic bacteria prepared1976 First genetic engineering company

(Genetech) established1980 First patent for genetically engineered

microbe1982 Approval of first genetically engineered drug1986 First field test of genetically engineered

plant1987 Genetic engineering patent extended to

higher life-forms

the management of agricultural systems with an emphasis on ecological and environmental perspectives.

Examples…sustainable agricultureorganic farmingalternative food systemsdevelopment of alternative cropping systems

Lesson on each cropQuiz on each cropOverall Test