The course has ten lessons. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment to submit to your tutor for marking and feedback.
You can also contact your tutor with any questions throughout the course.
Lesson 1: Scope and Nature of Legume Cropping
Taxonomy of legumes
Brief history of legume use
Significance of Legume Crops
Food plants for people
Food plants for animals
Soil improvers
Amenity plants
Industrial crops
Weeds
Legume cover crops
Inoculation of Legumes
Legumes today
Shade & Salt Tolerant Cover Crops
Lesson 2: Peas
Introduction
Cultivars
Snap Peas
Green Peas
Appearance
Cultivation
Climate
Soil and Fertility
Land and Seed Bed Preparation
Planting Material
Inoculation
Plant Spacing
Trellising
Nutrient Management
Irrigation
Weed Control
Harvesting
Lesson 3: Growing Beans
Introduction
Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) -Classification, Growing Conditions, Climate, Soil, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Pest and Disease
Management
Varieties – bush, climbing
Harvesting
Storage
Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus) - Growing Conditions, Climate, Soil, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Pest and Disease, Varieties
Lima Beans (Phaseolus lunatus) – Growing Conditions, Planting, Harvesting, Varieties.
Broad Bean (Vicia faba)- Growing Conditions, Soil, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Harvesting, Crop Rotation, Pest and Disease, Varieties
Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus) - Growing Conditions, Climate, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Pest and Disease, Varieties
Snake Bean (Vigna unguiculate ssp sesquipedalis) - Growing Conditions, Climate, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Pest and Disease
Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Growing Conditions, Climate, Soil, Land preparation, Sowing, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Harvesting, Drying, Storage, IPM, Pest and Disease, Land Management
Lesson 4: Growing Lentils
Introduction
Planting Lentils
How to Plant
Soil, Watering and Fertiliser
Nurturing the Plants
Diseases
Pests
Harvesting
Lesson 5: Growing Lupins
Introduction
Lupin plant structure -leaves, stem, branches, roots, flower, pod, seed
Lupin Growing Cycle -germination phases
Benefits of Lupin Crops
Factors affecting Lupin Growth
Seed Quality
Sowing Lupins
Pod Growth
Harvesting
Sources for seed growth
Factors Affecting Seed Development – moisture, temperature
Fertilisers
Pests
Lesson 6: Growing Alfalfa
Introduction
How to grow alfalfa at home
Lucerne Cropping
Soil type
Fertility Management
Plant Variety
Planting Crops
Seeding Depth
Crop Management
Irrigation
Disease and Insect Management
Harvesting Lucerne
Lesson 7: Soybeans
Introduction
Planting Soybean Crops
Modern Farming Practices (eg. Zero tilling)
Soil Management
Variety Selection
Planting Soybeans
Plant Growth and Physiology
Nutrition and Fertiliser
Nutritional Deficiency
Weed Control
Pest Control
Harvesting Soybeans
Lesson 8: Growing Chickpeas
Introduction
Crop Preparation
Weed Control
Soil Preparation
Soil Moisture
Diseases
Chickpea Varieties -Desi Type, Kabuli Type
Planting Chickpeas
Plant Growth and Physiology
Nutrition and Fertiliser
Harvest
Lesson 9: Other Legumes
Peanut
Inga (Ice Cream Bean)
Tamarind
Carob
Acacia (Wattle seed)
Clovers and Annual Medics
Growing Clovers
Clover Species
Medics
Lesson 10: Processing and Using Legumes
Introduction
Storage Planning
Silo Options
Grain Storage Bags
Bunkers
Underground Pits
Calculating Costs
Variable Costs of On Farm Storage
Aeration Cooling
Repairs and Maintenance
Time & Labour
ROI Investment Analysis
Safety
Grain Storage and Insect Management
Storing Lentils
Storing Soybeans
Storing Chickpeas
Storing Peanuts
Storing Faba Beans
Storing Field Peas
Course Aims
Discuss commercial farming of Legumes
Explain different types of pea crops
Explain how to grow beans
Explain how to grow edible lupins
Explain how to grow an alfalfa crop
Explain the importance and growing of soybean crops
Explain the cultivation of chickpea crops
Explain how to grow a range of other legume food crops
Explain how legume crops are processed and used
What will you be able to do when you finish this course?
When you finish this course, you will have a detailed understanding of growing Legume Crops.
This course is an ideal professional development course or would be ideal for anyone who wants to start out in agronomy or farming.
What makes this course a great choice?
This course is for the student who wants to learn about growing legumes for crops in their own time and at their own pace whilst having the support of their tutor to help you along when you need it.
Why would you study this course?
This course is suitable for students who -
- Would like to work in the agronomy industry and want to learn more about growing legumes
- Already work in agronomy but would like more specialist knowledge in legume growing
- Are seeking employment or promotion in the farming or agronomy industries
An ideal course for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of farming and agronomy.
Any questions?
Our agronomy tutors are all experts in their field and are happy to answer any questions about the course.
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