CROPPING SYSTEMS
Agronomic cropping systems of the Midwest: environmental impacts, productivity, and profitability. Cropping system diversification and sustainable agriculture. An agroecological approach, the application of ecological concepts and principles for the improvement of cropping systems is emphasized. Specific topics include agricultural intensification, agroecosystem structure and function, aspects of technology adoption, soil erosion and conservation, tillage systems, weed ecology and management, nutrient dynamics and management, water quality, crop rotation, and cropping system diversification.
Topics
- agricultural intensification
- agroecosystem structure and function
- aspects of technology adoption
- soil erosion and conservation
- tillage systems
- weed ecology and management
- nutrient dynamics and management
- water quality
- crop rotation
- and cropping system diversification
Topics explicitly listed in official catalogue description
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: AGRONOMY 100, HORT 120, PLANTSCI 110 , ENVIR ST/AGROECOL/C&E SOC/ENTOM 103 (or AGRONOMY 103 prior to Fall 2025), or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Biological Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2025 Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the dynamic history and unique characteristics of agriculture Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Identify factors that drive change and those that constrain change in cropping systems Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Use an agroecological approach to better understand and improve cropping systems Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Explain key components of cropping systems and their impact on agroecosystem services and sustainability Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Evaluate new and emerging approaches to crop management in the context of sustainability and potential tradeoffs Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Develop a comprehensive grant research proposal that effectively addresses a topic pertinent to sustainability of cropping systems Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the dynamic history and unique characteristics of agriculture Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Identify factors that drive change and those that constrain change in cropping systems Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Use an agroecological approach to better understand and improve cropping systems Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Explain key components of cropping systems and their impact on agroecosystem services and sustainability Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Evaluate new and emerging approaches to crop management in the context of sustainability and potential tradeoffs Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Develop a comprehensive grant research proposal that effectively addresses a topic pertinent to sustainability of cropping systems Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027