Tuber, Oil and Fibre Crops

The objective of the course is to give students a basic knowledge of crop production (especially plants yielding non-seed carbohydrates, oilseed crops and fibre plants) under tropical and subtropical conditions. The course introduces students to the major tropical crops of mentioned groups and their cropping systems. The course is focused on enlarged botanical knowledge and systems of cultivation of some of the most important tropical crops. Each genus will be reviewed, as will taxonomy, origin, distribution, ecological requirements, morphology, systems of cultivation and uses. The various genera will be reviewed in groups according to use: plants yielding non-seed carbohydrates, oilseed crops and fibre plants. Completion of the course will enable the student to: identify major crops of mentioned groups, be familiar with their correct scientific and English names, be familiar with origin, distribution, ecological requirements, morphology, systems of cultivation and uses of these crops.