Crop Science Ag 101 - Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Overview of crop science and its importance.
• Role of agriculture in human history and regions of crop development.
• Factors influencing crop development: genetics, selection, and regional growth.

World Food Needs and Population Growth

• Current world population: over 8 billion.
• Expected population growth by 2050: 9.7 billion.
• By 2100, expected to reach 11.2 billion.
• Limited arable land: only 30% of the world's land is usable for agriculture, with 11% actively used.

Population and Food Production

• Growing population increases demand for food production.
• Historical trends show increased food production since the 1970s, especially in developing countries.
  • Green Revolution: breakthroughs in crop variety and resistance to diseases (e.g., Norman Borlaug's work on wheat and rice).
• Changes in food requirements and distribution challenges.

Under Nourishment and Hunger

• Prevalence of undernourishment has decreased since the 1990s.
• Technological and agricultural improvements have helped, but challenges remain.
• Disparities between developing and developed regions.
• Importance of local food production and technological advancements.

Food Production and Land Use

• Technology and new crop varieties have increased production efficiency.
• Same land area now produces more due to improved crop varieties and agricultural techniques.
• Challenges include limited increase in cultivatable land due to natural barriers (deserts, mountains).

Food Distribution and Protein Sources

• Distribution remains a major challenge, affecting food availability in poorer regions.
• Importance of protein: animal vs. plant sources.
• Animal protein more digestible and contains essential amino acids lacking in plant sources.
• Innovations to improve plant protein (e.g., sorghum) are ongoing.

Role of Animals in Food Production

• Animals convert plant matter to protein effectively, especially in developing regions.
• Distribution of essential nutrients from animal protein is superior to single plant sources.
• Ruminant animals (e.g., cattle, sheep) efficiently convert plant matter to protein.

Agricultural Challenges

• Acceptance of GMOs varies globally; a hotly debated topic.
• Impact of biofuels on food availability.
• Climate change poses a significant threat to consistent agricultural output.
• Biosecurity concerns with potential plant and animal diseases.

Conclusion

• Importance of continuing advancements in agriculture to meet future food demands.
• Assignments and further resources provided to continue study and discussion.