Principles of Field Crop Production /

Abstract

This book presents some of the facts and fundamental principles essential to an understanding of field crop production in the United States. It is designed as a college text for a general course in field crops, especially for agricultural students who take only one course in crop production. It also should serve as a reference to those concerned with crop production. The subject matter probably is more advanced than that in other general crops books, but if so it should help raise the level of field crop instruction. The book is longer than can usually be covered in a one-semester course, but it offers a choice of subject matter to meet different institutional and local requirements. Some knowledge of botany and chemistry is desirable but not essential to an understanding of the material presented. Since the subject matter is of national scope it should be supplemented with lectures or assigned readings on local varieties and cropping practices. The references chosen are among those that seem to be pertinent to the subjects discussed, but many other references would be as applicable. It is impossible to cite all the worthwhile published articles. Foreign references are omitted for the most part because they are not accessible to, or usable by, large undergradute classes. The major crops are grouped into chapters in accordance with their botanical relationships. This should help avoid confusion concerning crop plant structure and behavior. It is realized fully that the arrangement, selection, and presentation of topics and references might be better. Suggestions for improvement and reorganization of the subject matter will be very welcome.