Department of Plant and Soil Science

Professor Dick Auld, Chairperson.

Horn Professor Nguyen; Thornton Distinguished Professor V. Allen; Rockwell Professor B. L. Allen; Leidigh Professor Krieg; Piper Professor Hopper; Professors Abernathy, R. Allen, Bennett, Thorvilson, and Zartman; Associate Professors Armstrong, Dotray, Peffley, and Phillips; Assistant Professors Green, Maurer, Montague, and Xu; Instructor McKenney; Adjunct Faculty: Archer, Blum, Boman, Brashears, Bronson, Burke, Calhoun, Gannaway, Hequet, Keeling, Lascano, Leser, Mahan, Maunder, McMichael, Oliver, Peterson, Porter, Rosenow, Rummel, Sheetz, Stout, Trolinder, Upchurch, Velten, Wanjura, Wheeler, and Zobeck; Emeritus Faculty: Dregne, Matches, Tereshkovich, and Zukauckas.

This department supervises the following degree programs: AGRONOMY, HORTICULTURE, and INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT, Bachelor of Science; CROP SCIENCE, ENTOMOLOGY, HORTICULTURE, and SOIL SCIENCE, Master of Science; AGRONOMY, Doctor of Philosophy. A minimum of 134 hours are required for graduation.

Students in the departmental areas of agronomy, horticulture, and integrated pest management investigate the basic biological, physical, and social sciences, and more importantly, bring such knowledge to focus on problems in pest control and plant development through genetics, plant growth through management, and plant material use for food, fiber, or the aesthetic good of humankind.

Agronomy includes the study of soil, plant genetics, breeding, biotechnology, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, weed and pest control, and crop management as applied to the efficient and economical production of field crops. Students study how to use and manage soils, which includes the application of biological, chemical, and physical sciences with regard to natural and man-affected environments.

Horticulture today is the application of basic scientific information to the growing and use of edible (fruits, nuts, and vegetables) and ornamental plants (annual and perennial flowers and woody plants). Today's horticulture students focus on the challenges and practices of genetics and breeding, propagation, biotechnology, production, management, handling and storage, marketing, and use of horticultural plants.

Integrated pest management students study how insects, weeds, and pathogens impact plant growth and learn how to control these pests in an environmentally benign manner.

Students taught in the Department of Plant and Soil Science are educated to meet the challenges of efficiently producing plants for food, fiber, and aesthetic beauty while preserving our natural resources and environmental integrity. Graduates serve in a vast array of responsible positions in private industry, as well as with local, state, and federal agencies.

This department offers a choice of minors in agronomy, horticulture, or integrated pest management for students majoring outside the department. For more information on requirements for completing a minor, refer to the "Selecting a Minor" segment in the college section of this catalog or contact the departmental chairperson. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all departmental courses required for graduation.

Agronomy Curriculum.

FIRST YEAR
FallSpring
ENGL 1301, Ess. College Rhetoric3ENGL 1302, Adv. College Rhetoric3
PSS 1321, Agr. Plant Sci.3AGSC 2300, Comp. in Ag.3
BIOL 1401, Biol. of Plants4MATH 1321, Trigonometry or
MATH 1320, Coll. Algebra or MATH 1331, Intro. Math. Anal.3
MATH 1330, Intro. Math. Anal.3CHEM 1308, Prin. of Chem. II3
CHEM 1307, Prin. of Chem. I3CHEM 1108, Prin. of Chem. II (Lab.)1
CHEM 1107, Prin. of Chem. I (Lab.)1Elective4
1717
SECOND YEAR
FallSpring
CHEM 3303, Intro. Organ. Chem. orHIST 2301, U.S. since 18773
CHEM 3305, Organic Chem. I3PSS 2401, Intro. Ento.4
CHEM 3103, Intro. Organ. Chem. Lab. **Required Elective3
or CHEM 3105, Organic Chem. Lab.1**Directed Elective4
HIST 2300, U.S. to 18773Free Elective3
ENGL 2309, Rpts. & Corresp., or17
ENGL 3365, Prof. Rpt. Writ.3
AAEC 2305, Fund. Ag. Eco. or
ECO 2301, Prin. of Econ.3
PSS 2432, Prin. & Prac. Soils4
17
THIRD YEAR
Fall Spring
**Required Elective6AAEC 3401, Ag. Stats.4
POLS 1301, Am. Gov. Org.3POLS 2302, Am. Pub. Pol.3
MBIO 3400, Microbiology4PSS 4301, Ag. Compounds 3
Free Elective3**Required Electives6
1616
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Spring
PSS 4415, Ag. Biotech.4PSS 4100, Seminar1
*Humanities or Multicultural3COMS 2300, Public Speaking3
**Required Electives6*Humanities or Fine Arts3
Free Electives4**Required Electives7
17Free Elective3
17

Minimum hours required for graduation--134. (Students must fulfill the university Multicultural requirement.)

*Choose from Core Curriculum requirements.

**Students will select one of the options listed below according to their area of interest.

Directed and required electives are subject to approval of the academic advisor.

Agronomy--Required electives: PSS 3421 plus 25 hours from the following: PSS 2321, 3321, 3322, 3324, 4321, 4325, 4331, 4332, 4335, 4336, 4337, or 4421; Directed electives (4 hours from the following) atmospheric science, chemistry, geology, mathematics, or physics.

Environmental Soil Science--Required electives: PSS 4332, 4333, 4335, 4336, 4337, and 9 hours from any other PSS courses; Directed electives (9 hours from the following) BIOL 2313, ENVE 1301, 3203, GEOL 3323, or RWFM 4314.

Horticulture Curriculum.

FIRST YEAR
Fall Spring
PSS 1411, Prin. of Hort. 4 AAEC 2305, Fund. of Ag. Eco. 3
CHEM 1307, Prin. Chem. I 3 BIOL 1401, Biol. of Plants 4
CHEM 1107, Prin. Chem. I (lab.) 1 CHEM 1308, Prin. Chem. II 3
MATH 1320, Coll. Alg. 3 CHEM 1108, Prin. Chem. II (lab.) 1
ENGL 1301, Ess. Coll. Rhetoric 3 ENGL 1302, Adv. Coll. Rhetoric 3
POLS 1301, Amer. Govt., Org. 3 MATH 1330, Intro. Math. Anal. 3
17 17
SECOND YEAR
Fall Spring
HIST 2300, Hist. of U.S. to 1877 3 HIST 2301, Hist. of U.S. since 1877 3
ENGL 2309, Pat. & Rept. Cor. 3 PSS 2312, Propagation Meth. 3
PSS 2401, Intro. Ento. 4 PSS 2432, Prin. & Pract. Soils 4
PSS 2313, Herb. Plants 3 POLS 2302, Amer. Pub. Pol. 3
Free Elective 3 PSS 2314, Woody Plants 3
16 **Directed Elective 3
19
THIRD YEAR
Fall Spring
CHEM 3303, Intro. Org. Chem. 3 PSS 3421, Genetics 4
CHEM 3101, Intro. Org. Chem. (lab) 1 BOT 3401, Plant Physiology or
COMS 2300, Public Speaking 3 PSS 2321, Crop Growth 3-4
*Humanities or Multicultural 3 *Humanities or Fine Arts 3
**Directed Elective 3 **Required Elective 6
**Required Elective 3 16-17
16
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Spring
PSS 4425, Ag. Plant Path. 4 PSS 4301, Ag. Compounds 3
PSS 4100, Seminar 1 **Directed Elective 6
**Directed Elective 3 **Required Elective 6
**Required Elective 6 Free Elective 1-2
Free Elective 3 16-17
17

Minimum hours required for graduation--134. (Students must fulfill the university Multicultural requirement.)

*Choose from Core Curriculum requirements.

**Students will select one of the emphases listed below according to their area of interest. Directed and required electives are subject to approval of the academic advisor.

Horticultural Science: Required electives15 hours from PSS 2210, 2311, 3309, 3310, 3311, 3314, 3317, 3320, 4000, 4001, 4310, 4313 with a minimum of 6 hours from PSS 4314, 4411, 4415; directed elective15 hours from the following areas of study: Business Administration, AAEC, BIOL, CHEM, F S, LARC, MBIO, PSS, PSY, RWFM, SOC.

Turfgrass Management: Required electivesPSS 3309, 4313, 4314, 4316, 4335, 4421, and 2 hours from any other PSS course; directed electives15 hours from AGSM 2302, 3302, 3303, LARC 2401, 3304, 3306, PSS 3317, 4000, 4001, 4305, 4411, 4415, or other approved electives.

Integrated Pest Management Curriculum.

FIRST YEAR
Fall Spring
ENGL 1301, Ess. College Rhetoric 3 ENGL 1302, Adv. College Rhetoric 3
HIST 2300, Hist. of U.S. to 1877 3 HIST 2301, Hist. of U.S. after 1877 3
BIOL 1403, Biology I 4 BIOL 1404, Biology II 4
Directed Elective 3-4 Visual & Performing Arts 3
Elective 2 Directed Elective 3-4
15-16 16-17
SECOND YEAR
Fall Spring
MATH 1330, Intro. Math. Analysis or MATH 1331, Intro. Math. Analysis or
MATH 1320, College Algebra 3 MATH 1330, Intro. Math. Analysis 3
CHEM 1307, Prin. Chem. I 3 CHEM 1308, Prin. Chem. II 3
CHEM 1107, Prin. Chem. I (lab.) 1 CHEM 1108, Prin. Chem. II (lab.) 1
ENGL 2309, Technical Writing 3 COMS 3308, Bus. & Prof. Speech or
POLS 1301, Amer. Gov., Org. 3 COMS 2300, Public Speaking 3
PSS 3304, Hort-Urban Ento. 3 POLS 2302, Amer. Public Politics 3
16 Humanities or Multicultural 3
16
THIRD YEAR
Fall Spring
CHEM 3303, Intro. Organic Chem. 3 PSS 4421, Prin. Weed Science 4
CHEM 3103, Intro. Org. Chem. Lab. 1 PSS 3307, Insect Physiology 3
MBIO 3400, Microbiology 4 AGSC 2300, Computers in Agric. 3
PSS 3401, Insect Taxonomy 4 Directed elective 6
PSS 2432, Princ. and Prac. of Soils 4 16
Directed elective 3
19
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Spring
Elective 3 AAEC 3401, Ag. Statistics or
PSS 4305, Integrated Pest Mgt. 3 MATH 2300, Statistical Math. 3-4
PSS 3421, Genetics 4 PSS 4415, Agric. Biotechnology 4
PSS 4100, Seminar 1 PSS 4301, Agric. Compounds 3
Directed elective 6-7 Directed elective 8
17-18 18-19

Minimum hours required for graduation--134. (Students must fulfill the university Multicultural requirement.)

Directed electives: PSS 1321, 1411, 2311, 2313, 2401, 2432, 3309, 3311, 3321, 3322, 3323, 3324, 3402, 4321, 4335, 4421; RWFM 3302; BIOL 3303, 3307, 4305, 4306; ZOOL 3406, 4312; ATMO 1300 and 1100, BOT 3302, 3401.

Courses in Plant and Soil Science. (PSS)

1321. Agronomic Plant Science (3:3:0). Importance, distribution, and use of major world agronomic crops. Fundamentals of growth, structure, and improvements are also stressed. [AGRI 1307]

1411. Principles of Horticulture (4:3:2). Principles and practices of growth and development, structure, nomenclature, use of horticultural plants and how they are affected by the environment. [AGRI 1415] Fulfills laboratory science requirement.

2130. Urban Soils Laboratory (1:0:2). Prerequisite: PSS 2330 or concurrent. Discussion and practical experience with soils in the urban environment.

2210. Floral Design (2:1:2). Floral design as a commercial enterprise. Emphasis on principles of floral design, patterns of arrangements, and elements of color composition. Field trips required.

2311. Vegetable Crops (3:2:3). Principles and practices in home vegetable gardening, with an introduction to commercial production and marketing of major vegetable crops. Fulfills science and technology requirement.

2312. Propagation Methods (3:2:2). Prerequisite: PSS 1411. Propagation techniques of commercial nurseries and greenhouse ranges; study of the physiological reaction and cutting material. (Writing Intensive)

2313. Herbaceous Plant Materials (3:2:2). Prerequisite: PSS 1411. Study of the principal herbaceous plants and plant families, palms, roses, and subtropic landscape plants.

2330. Urban Soils (3:3:0). Utilization of soils in urban environments with emphasis on nutrients, water management, and physical properties. (Credit not given for PSS 2432.)

2401. Introductory Entomology (4:3:2). An introduction to the arthropods with major emphasis on the insects. Insect structure, function, identification, and relationships to man, plants, and animals with be discussed. [AGRI 1413]

2432. Principles and Practices in Soils (4:3:2). Prerequisite: CHEM 1305 and 1105. Formation and composition, physical and chemical properties, hydraulic and thermal relationships of soil. Role of soil in ecosystems. (Writing Intensive)

3304. Horticultural and Urban Arthropod Pests (3:2:2). Prerequisite: PSS 2401. The life history, biology, and management of arthropod pests of ornamental, vegetable, and fruit crops and of households and industry.

3305. Field Crop Entomology (3:2:2). Prerequisite: PSS 2401. Introduction to insects of agricultural importance, their identification, and management strategies. Pest sampling and recognition of damage to major crops will also be discussed.

3307. Insect Anatomy and Physiology (3:2:3). Prerequisite: PSS 2401. A study of the structure and function of insect systems. (Writing Intensive)

3309. Turf Culture and Management (3:3:0). Prerequisite: PSS 1411. Study of the principal turfgrass species and their cultural management. Field trips required.

3310. Wine Production in the World (3:2:3). Introduction to winemaking. History, geography, fundamental science, and modern technology involved in worldwide wine production.

3311. Fruit and Nut Culture (3:3:0). Principles of fruit and nut culture with emphasis on variety selection, pruning techniques, and propagation methods.

3314. Nursery Materials (3:2:2). Prerequisite: PSS 1411 and 2314. Irrigation, media, pest management, nutrition, and fertility of nursery crops. Emphasis placed on production and use in the landscape.

3317. Interior Plants (3:2:3). Selection and maintenance of interior plants and planting facilities.

3318. Woody Plants (3:2:2). Prerequisite: PSS 1411. Discussion and selection of woody plants used for ornamental purposes in the landscape setting. The course will be divided between deciduous and evergreen plants.

3321. Forage and Pasture Crops (3:3:0). The production and use of forage and pasture crops.

3322. Grain, Fiber, and Oilseed Crops (3:3:0). History, distribution, use, plant form, growth and development, and cultural and production practices of important agronomic crops.

3323. Crop Growth and Culture (3:3:0). Study of the growth and development sequences of crop plants as related to production. Emphasis will be placed on anatomical, morphological, and physiological characteristics.

3324. Seed Science (3:3:0). Analysis of seed for planting. Seed quality as related to production, processing, storing, and handling. Study of federal and state seed laws.

3401. Insect Taxonomy (4:3:3). Prerequisite: PSS 2401 or an introductory course in entomology. A study of the major families of insects with emphasis on their identifying features and biologies. An insect collection is required.

3421. Fundamental Principles of Genetics (4:4:0). Prerequisite: PSS 1321 or BIOL 1401 or consent of instructor. Heredity and variation. The chromosome theory in plants and animals. Biometry as applied to genetic data. (Writing Intensive)

4000. Internship (V1-3). Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson. A supervised study course providing in-service training and practice in various areas of plant science. May be repeated for credit.

4001. Problems (V1-3). Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. An assigned problem and individual instruction in a specific area, Plant Science. May be repeated for credit with approval of department chairperson.

4100. Seminar (1:1:0). Prerequisite: Senior standing or approval of instructor. Utilization of writing and oral presentation skills. Continued enhancement of education skills and adherence to professional ethics.

4131. Soil Fertility Laboratory (1:0:3). Prerequisite: PSS 2432 and concurrent enrollment in PSS 4335. Laboratory analysis of soil and plant samples; interpretation of fertility management data.

4301. Agricultural Compounds (3:3:0). Prerequisite: PSS 2401 and CHEM 3303, 3103. Nature, mode of action, and uses of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and other pesticides.

4305. Integrated Pest Management (3:3:0). Prerequisite: An introductory course in entomology. The principles and practices of integration of all available control strategies in the management of arthropod pest populations.

4313. Arboriculture (3:3:0). Prerequisite: PSS 1411. The physiological principles and industry practices in the production, moving, care, and maintenance of ornamental trees, shrubs, and ground covers. Required field trips.

4314. Garden Center Management (3:3:0). The principles of management, marketing, structures, and distribution for retail establishments. (Writing Intensive)

4316. Turfgrass Science (3:3:0). Prerequisite: PSS 3309. A second course in turfgrass management. Topics include: turf physiology, nutrition, weed control, insects, and diseases.

4321. Fundamental Principles of Plant Breeding (3:3:0). Prerequisite: PSS 3421. Practical application of genetics and biotechnology in the breeding and improvement of plants.

4325. Crop Water Management (3:3:0). Comprehensive evaluation of soil-plant atmosphere interactions affecting supply and demand of water for crop production.

4332. Soil Classification (3:2:3). Prerequisite: PSS 2432, or approval of instructor for nonagriculture majors. Soil profile morphology. Classification systems with emphasis on the taxonomic system of the United States.

4335. Soil Fertility Management (3:3:0). Prerequisite: PSS 2432. Nutrient availability as influenced by the properties of soils, use of fertilizers and soil amendments; methods and time of application of fertilizer.

4336. Soil Physical Properties (3:3:0). Prerequisite: PSS 2432 and 6 hours of mathematics. Physical properties of soils: structure and movement of water, air, and temperature.

4337. Environmental Soil Science (3:3:0). Prerequisite: PSS 2432. Physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes of soil as they relate to environmental quality.

4411. Principles of Floriculture (4:3:3). Prerequisite: PSS 1411. Greenhouse construction, heating and cooling, growing media, pest management, nutrition and fertility, growth regulation, irrigation, post harvest handling, and marketing of floricultural crops. Required field trips.

4415. Agricultural Biotechnology (4:3:2). The relationship of biotechnology and its impact on agricultural sciences. Examines the place of biotechnology in relation to society, the environment, and agriculture. (Writing Intensive)

4421. Principles of Weed Science (4:3:2). Fundamentals of chemical weed control. Emphasis on herbicide families, names, usage, absorption, translocation, mechanism of action, and factors influencing selectivity and soil persistence. The laboratory will emphasize labels, calculations, equipment, calibrations and usage, and methods of application.

4425. Agricultural Plant Pathology (4:3:2). Identification and management of diseases of agricultural and horticultural plants. Diagnostic methods used to identify basic plant pathogens.


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