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Agronomy

G.M. Pierzynski, Interim Head

M.D. Ransom, Assistant Head—Teaching

J.P. Shroyer, Extension State Leader

W.T. Schapaugh, Jr., Graduate Program Coordinator

Professors Al-Khatib, Buchholz, Claassen, Devlin, Donnelly, Fjell, A. Fritz, Gordon, Ham, Hargrove, Kilgore, Kirkham, Kluitenberg, Maddux, Mengel, Owensby, Pierzynski, Peterson, Posler, Ransom, Regehr, Rice, Schapaugh, Shroyer, Skidmore, Stone, Thien, Thompson, Tuinstra, and Welch; Associate Professors Dille, Duncan, Fick, J. Fritz, Heer, Janssen, Leikam, Martin, and Staggenborg; Assistant Professors Nelson and Prasad; Research Assistant Professor Kulako; Instructors Cunningham and D. Minihan; Agronomist Roozeboom and Schaffer; State Climatologist Knapp; Assistant Agronomist Stamm; Adjunct Professors Cox, Sears, and Skidmore; Adjunct Associate Professors Brown-Guedira and Hagen; Adjunct Assistant Professors Bai, Bean, Ristic, and Tatarko; Adjunct Associate Agronomist Strouts; Emeriti: Professors Barnett, Bidwell, Bieberly, Bohannon, Hobbs, Jacobs, Liang, Mader, Paulsen, Russ, Swallow, Vanderlip, Wassom, Whitney, and Withee; Associate Professors Eberle, Ehler, Ohlenbusch, and Walter; Assistant Professors Lundquist and Moore.

E-mail: agronomy@k-state.edu

www.agronomy.k-state.edu

Agronomy

Bachelor of science in agriculture

127 semester hours

Agronomy includes crop, soil, weed, range, and environmental sciences. Students in agronomy have diverse interests, including crop production and physiology; crop breeding; soil management, fertility, and conservation; soil and water quality; physical and chemical properties of soils; forages; and range management.

Requirements*

Students majoring in agronomy are required to complete the following courses, plus those in the option that the student selects.

ENGL 100Expository Writing I3
ENGL 200Expository Writing II3
SPCH 105Public Speaking IA2
MATH 100College Algebra3
AGRON 220Crop Science4
AGRON 305Soils4
AGRON 455Computer Applications in Agronomy3
University General Education courseCHM 210Chemistry I4
University General Education courseCHM 230Chemistry II4
Organic/biochemistry3-5
University General Education courseBIOL 198Principles of Biology4
or
BIOL 210General Botany4
Physics4
Social sciences/humanities electives3-9
Communications elective3
 
All options except soil and environmental science require
GENAG 101Ag Orientation1
University General Education courseECON 110Principles of Macroeconomics3
 
*Agronomy majors must include 18 credit hours of university general education courses, with at least 6 credit hours numbered ≥ 300. At least one university general education course must be taken in each of the following categories: (a) biological and physical sciences, (b) communications, social sciences, and humanities, (c) agriculture, and (d) free electives.
 
Options
Additional courses required for specific option:
 
Business and industry option
AGEC 120Agricultural Econ/Agribusiness3
or
ECON 120Principles of Microeconomics3
AGRON 330Weed Science3
AGRON 360Crop Growth and Development3
AGRON 375Soil Fertility3
AGRON 405Internship in Agronomy3
Agronomy electives9
General agriculture elective 3
University General Education courseSTAT 350Business and Economics Statistics I3
Agricultural economics or business12
University General Education courseACCTG 231Accounting for Business Operations3
PLPTH 500Plant Pathology3
ENTOM 300Economic Entomology3
 
Two of the following:
ASI 500Genetics3
AGRON 645Soil Microbiology4
BIOL 455General Microbiology4
BIOL 500Plant Physiology4
BIOL 529Fundamentals of Ecology3
GEOG 508Fundamentals of GIS3
MATH 205Calculus and Linear Algebra3
PHYS 115Descriptive Physics5
 
Electives12-15
 
Consulting and production option
AGRON 330Weed Science3
AGRON 360Crop Growth and Development3
AGRON 375Soil Fertility3
AGRON 385Soil Fertility Lab2
AGRON 405Internship in Agronomy3
AGRON 650Integrated Weed Management3
University General Education courseAGEC 120Agricultural Econ/Agribusiness3
or
University General Education courseECON 120Principles of Microeconomics3
ENTOM 300Economic Entomology3
or
ENTOM 312General Entomology2
and
ENTOM 313General Entomology Lab1
ENTOM 612Insect Pest Diagnosis2
or
ENTOM 767Insect Pest Management3
PLPTH 500Plant Pathology3
PLPTH 585Crop Diseases2
ATM 653/654Irrigation Practices and Lab3
Agricultural electives14-16
Business or economics electives3
 
One of the following:
AGRON 645Soil Microbiology4
ASI 500Genetics3
BIOL 455General Microbiology4
BIOL 529Fundamentals of Ecology3
GEOG 508Fundamentals of GIS3
 
Electives8-11
 
Range management option
MATH 150Plane Trigonometry3
BIOL 500Plant Physiology4
BIOL 529Fundamentals of Ecology3
BIOL 551Taxonomy of Flowering Plants4
ENTOM 300Economic Entomology3
University General Education courseGEOL 100Earth in Action3
AGRON 501Range Management3
AGRON 515Soil Genesis and Classification3
AGRON 560Field Identification of Range and
Pasture Plants1
AGRON 660Range Research Techniques3
AGRON 670Range Management Problems3
AGRON 681Range Ecology3
AGRON 762Range Grasses2
AGRON 790Range Management Planning3
ASI 102Principles of Animal Science3
ASI 515Beef Science3
University General Education courseAGEC 120Agricultural Econ/Agribusiness3
or
University General Education courseECON 120Principles of Microeconomics3
Math or statistics elective3
 
Electives14-17
 
Plant science and biotechnology option
University General Education courseAGEC 120Agricultural Econ/Agribusiness3
University General Education courseAGEC 415The Global Agricultural Economy, Hunger, and Poverty3
AGRON 330Weed Science3
AGRON 360Crop Growth and Development3
AGRON 375Soil Fertility3
AGRON 610Biotechnology3
AGRON 630Crop Improvement and Biotechnology3
Agronomy electives9
PLPTH 500Plant Pathology3
ASI 500Genetics3
or
University General Education courseBIOL 450Modern Genetics3
BIOL 500Plant Physiology4
CHM 350General Organic Chemistry3
University General Education courseSTAT 340Biometrics3
MATH 150Plane Trigonometry3
PHYS 114General Physics II4
or
PHYS 115Descriptive Physics5
ENTOM 300Economic Entomology3
 
Electives12-13
 
Plus 12 credit hours from the following courses:
AGRON 770Plant Genetics3
BIOCH 521General Biochemistry3
BIOL 529Fundamentals of Ecology3
BIOL 675Genetics of Microorganisms3
BIOL 676Molecular Genetics Lab3
ENTOM 745Plant Resistance to Insects2
MATH 220Analytical Geometry and Calculus4
PHYS 114General Physics II4
PLPTH 635Introduction to Plant Resistance to Pests2
PLPTH 585Crop Diseases2
PLPTH 755Plant Resistance to Diseases1
 
Soil and environmental science option
MATH 150Plane Trigonometry3
University General Education courseSTAT 340Biometrics I3
University General Education courseGEOL 100Earth in Action3
GEOL 103Geology Laboratory1
University General Education courseAGEC 525Natural Resources Environmental
Economics3
University General Education courseAGEC 120Agricultural Econ/Agribusiness3
or
University General Education courseECON 120Principles of Microeconomics3
University General Education courseAGRON 335Environmental Quality3
AGRON 360Crop Growth and Development3
AGRON 375Soil Fertility3
AGRON 385Soil Fertility Lab2
AGRON 515Soil Genesis and Classification3
AGRON 605Soil and Environmental Chemistry3
AGRON 635Soil Conservation and Management3
AGRON 645Soil Microbiology4
AGRON 646Soil Microbiology Lab1
AGRON 746Physical Properties of Soils3
 
One of the following:
HIST 511Environmental History3
ANTH 260Introduction to Archaeology3
SOCIO 536Environmental Sociology3
 
Four of the following courses:
AGRON 655Site Specific Agriculture3
ATM 661Water and Waste in the Environment3
BAE 533Applied Hydrology3
BIOCH 521General Biochemistry3
BIOL 500Plant Physiology4
BIOL 529Fundamentals of Ecology3
CHM 371Chemical Analysis4
University General Education courseFOR 375Introduction to Natural Resource Management3
GEOG 508Fundamentals of GIS3
GEOG 535Fundamentals of Climatology3
GEOG 705Remote Sensing Environment3
GEOG 725Geography of Water Resources3
GEOL 506Geology and Environment3
GEOL 520Geomorphology2
MATH 220Analytical Geometry and Calculus4
PHYS 114General Physics4
 
Electives12-18
 
University General Education courseDenotes university general education courses.
 

Research center, laboratory, and greenhouse facilities are used by the Department of Agronomy for both research and instruction.

Agronomy minor

Students enrolled in any primary undergraduate major will be admitted as a candidate for the agronomy minor program upon filing a notice of intent with the department's teaching office. Admission must be completed prior to enrollment in the final 9 hours of course work to receive certification of the minor. Upon filing for admission, an agronomy advisor will be assigned to assist students in selecting course work.

To earn an undergraduate minor in agronomy, students are required to complete 16 or 17 credit hours consisting of the following courses:

AGRON 305Soils4
AGRON 220Crop Science4
or
AGRON 501Range Management3
 

An additional 9 hours of agronomy courses numbered 300 or greater selected by the student in consultation with an agronomy advisor.

Agronomy courses

AGRON 220. Crop Science. (4) I, II. Principles underlying practices used in the culture of corn, grain sorghum, wheat, and soybeans. A basic course for majors in agronomy and others interested in crop production. Three hours lec. and two hours lab a week. Not open to students with credit in HORT 201.

AGRON 305. Soils. (4) I, II. Fundamental chemical, physical, and biological properties of soils; their formation, fertility, and management. Three hours lec. and two hours lab a week. Pr.: CHM 110 or 210.

AGRON 320. Seed Technology. (3) II. An introductory course to prepare students for the anticipated expansion of the seed industry resulting from the impact of biotechnology and identity preservation. Basic concepts of seed quality, purity, vigor testing, and quality assurance will be emphasized. Two hours lec. and two hours lab a week.

AGRON 330. Weed Science. (3) I, II. For those interested in crop production, crop protection, and agricultural education. Considers the origin of weeds, their relations to crops, and control systems emphasizing cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical practices. Includes weed identification. Two hours lec. and two hours lab a week. Pr.: AGRON 220.

University General Education courseAGRON 335. Environmental Quality. (3) I. An examination and survey of topics in environmental quality. Includes classification of soil, air, and water pollutants and their interaction with the environment, including the human food chain. Discussion of remediation techniques, risk assessment, and environmental legislation. Three lectures a week. Pr.: CHM 110 or 210.

AGRON 340. Grain Grading. (2) I, II. Procedures for grading grains, emphasizing soybeans, corn, wheat, and sorghum. Identification and evaluation of kernel damage and other conditions determining grades of these grains. Four hours lab a week.

AGRON 350. Plant and Seed Identification. (2) II. Identification of crops and weeds by seed and vegetative characteristics. Analysis of seed samples for impurities. Four hours lab a week.

AGRON 360. Crop Growth and Development. (3) I. Comparative growth and development of warm- and cool-season monocot and dicot crops. Environmental influences on growth and development processes and management techniques to minimize stresses. Three lec. a week. Pr.: AGRON 220 and 305.

AGRON 375. Soil Fertility. (3) II. Detailed information on the plant nutrition, soil fertility, and fertilizer management of the essential macro- and micronutrients. The influence of numerous soil biological, physical, and chemical properties on plant nutrient availability to crops will be emphasized. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: AGRON 220 and 305.

AGRON 385. Soil Fertility Laboratory. (2) II. Detailed information on (1) the chemical methods utilized in routine soil testing and plant analysis, (2) field soil sampling techniques, (3) fertilizer recommendations, and (4) fertilizer response functions. Soil chemistry and computer laboratory exercises are designed to reinforce the theoretical principles presented in lectures. One hour lec. and two hours lab a week. Pr.: AGRON 375 or conc. enrollment.

AGRON 400. Undergraduate Topics in Agronomy. (1-3) I, II, S. Special topics in agronomy not completely treated in other courses. Pr.: Consent of instructor.

AGRON 405. Internship in Agronomy. (0-3) I, S. Intern programs in various areas of agronomy. One hour credit for each four weeks of supervised and evaluated work experience with cooperating employers. A maximum of 3 hours may be applied to the major in agronomy. May be repeated once if second internship is different from the first. Pr.: AGRON 220 and 305.

AGRON 415. Soils Judging. (0 or 1) I and II. Techniques employed in writing descriptions of soil morphology and in classifying soils for intercollegiate soils judging. Six hours lab a week for the first half of the semester. Pr.: AGRON 305. May be repeated to a maximum of 3 hours for credit.

AGRON 420. Field Course in Weed Science. (1) II. A laboratory and field course pertaining to weed identification, sprayer calibration, herbicide action, and herbicide performance. Pr.: AGRON 330 or equiv.

AGRON 450. Crops Team. (2) I. Grain grading, seed and plant identification, and seed analysis. Studies lead to participation in intercollegiate crops contest. Four hours lab per week.

AGRON 455. Computer Applications in Agronomy. (3) I, II. Application of computer technology to plant and soil science. Emphasis on use of current software in managing data and knowledge useful to crop production. Three hours lec. a week. Pr.: AGRON 220 and 305.

AGRON 501. Range Management. (3) I. Fundamental ecological principles of production, conservation, and use of grasslands. Application of these fundamental principles to range management. Three hours rec. a week.

AGRON 515. Soil Genesis and Classification. (3) II. Factors and processes of soil formation, classification of soils according to soil taxonomy, and use of soil survey information. Practical field experience describing soil properties. Required field trips. Two hours rec. and three hours lab a week. Recommended pr.: GEOL 100 or AGRON 305.

AGRON 550. Forage Management and Utilization. (3) II. Production and utilization of forage crops. Development of forage programs for livestock production, including pasture and stored forages. Three hours rec. a week. Recommended pr.: AGRON 220 and junior standing.

AGRON 551. Forage Management and Utilization Laboratory. (1) II. Identification of forage species, techniques for estimating forage quality, forage physiology, and field trips. One two-hour lab a week. Pr.: Completion of or conc. enrollment in AGRON 550.

AGRON 560. Field Identification of Range and Pasture Plants. (1) I, in odd years. Identification of range pasture plants through exposure to them in their natural environment.

AGRON 599. Agronomy—The Profession. (1) II. An overview of opportunities, responsibilities, and challenges for the professional agronomist. Discussion of current topics and important issues in crops and soils, range management, and soil and water resources.

Undergraduate and graduate credit

AGRON 600. Crop Problems. (Var.) I, II, S. Studies may be chosen in: genetics, crop improvement, forages, ecology, weed control, plant physiology, or crop production.

AGRON 605. Soil and Environmental Chemistry. (3) II. A study of inorganic and organic chemistry of soils with a detailed examination of the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases. Includes discussions of mineral solubility, electrochemical and adsorption phenomena, acidity, salinity, and fertility. Emphasis is placed on the biogeochemical cycling of plant nutrients and important soil contaminants. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: AGRON 375 or AGRON 305 and CHM 230.

AGRON 610. Biotechnology. (3) II, in odd years. The use of biotechnology and molecular genetic approaches in plant and animal sciences. Emphasis is on the use of molecular techniques for plant and animal improvement. Three hours lectures per week. Pr.: ASI 500. Cross-referenced as PLPTH 610.

AGRON 615. Soil Problems. (Var.) I, II, S. Studies may be chosen in: chemistry, physics, conservation, fertility, genesis, morphology, or classification.

AGRON 630. Crop Improvement and Biotechnology. (3) II. Techniques in basic plant breeding and biotechnology used to genetically improve crops and procedures to increase, distribute, and maintain breeding stocks and varieties. Two hours lec. and one two-hour lab a week. Pr.: AGRON 220 and ASI 500.

AGRON 635. Soil Conservation and Management. (3) I. Principles, mechanics, and prediction of water and wind erosion. Influence of soil erosion on soil productivity and environmental quality. Conservation management technologies for erosion control and sustaining soil productivity. Legislation and land-use planning for soil conservation. Course requires microcomputer skills. Two hours rec. and 1 three-hour lab a week. Pr.: AGRON 305.

AGRON 640. Cropping Systems. (3) I. Principles for developing and managing cropping systems in the Great Plains for the efficient use of natural resources, primarily water. Emphasis on dryland cropping systems, management of crop rotations, and the plant/soil/environment interaction. Includes the efficient use of natural resources via an understanding of yield limiting factors, impact of crop rotations and cultural practices, climate, plant growth, and development. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: AGRON 375 or conc.

AGRON 645. Soil Microbiology. (3) I. The nature and function of soil microorganisms in the soil ecosystem. The role of soil microbial activity to soil organic matter, mineral transformations, plant nutrition, and environmental quality. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: AGRON 305 or BIOL 455.

AGRON 646. Soil Microbiology Laboratory. (1) I. Discuss and perform laboratory procedures for enumerat- ing soil microorganisms, quantifying soil biological activities, and nutrient cycling. Three hours lab a week. Pr.: AGRON 645 or conc. enrollment.

AGRON 650. Integrated Weed Management. (3) II. The development of weed management systems based on diagnosis of weed and crop problems, understanding crop-weed associations and interactions with the environment, and integrating weed control tactics such as chemical, biological, cultural, and mechanical practices into recommendations. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: AGRON 330.

AGRON 655. Site Specific Agriculture. (3) II. Introduction to spatial analysis and management of agricultural and environmental resources using geographic information systems (GIS) technology. Emphasis on collecting, displaying, and analyzing spatial or georeferenced soil, crop, or other land surface data. Two hours lecture, two hours lab, and one hour by appointment per week. Pr.: AGRON 220 and 305 and GEOG 508.

AGRON 660. Range Research Techniques. (2) I, in even years. Theory in rangeland sampling techniques including the proper number, shape, and size of plots. Methods for determination of plant biomass, cover, frequency, and density. Procedures for measurement of forage quality and utilization. Use of statistical techniques for sampling, analysis, and presentation of data. Meets during the first half of the semester. Three hours rec. and one two-hour lab a week. Pr.: AGRON 501 and STAT 340.

AGRON 670. Range Management Problems. (Var.) I, II, S.

AGRON 681. Range Ecology. (3) II, in even years. Application of ecological principles to range ecosystem management. Study of plant-soil-animal interactions with rangelands, and discussion of plant succession, environmental influences, and ecological concepts. Two hours rec. a week and one lab credit consisting of field trips to representative range areas. Pr.: AGRON 501 and BIOL 529.

AGRON 746. Physical Properties of Soils. (3) II. The properties of soils as affected by their physical environment, including water content, water potential, temperature, aeration, flocculation-dispersion, and soil compaction. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: AGRON 305.

AGRON 762. Range Grasses. (2) I, in even years. Field and laboratory study of range and pasture plants, with special emphasis on grasses and their distinguishing characteristics. One hour rec. and two hours lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 198 or 210.

AGRON 770. Plant Genetics. (3) I. Concepts and application of basic genetic principles in higher plants. Probability, linkage, chromosome aberrations, aneuploidy analysis, gene transfer in wide crosses, tissue culture and crop improvement, and genetics of disease resistance. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: ASI 500.

AGRON 790. Range Management Planning. (3) II, in odd years. Inventory and analysis of rangeland resources and development of detailed management plan. Emphasizes range management principles and practices useful in maximizing production from rangelands. Two hours rec. a week and one lab credit including field trips to ranch operations. Pr.: AGRON 501.

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