AGRONOMY

A branch of agricultural science that deal with principles and practices of crop production and field management is known as Agronomy. It is mainly based on following basic principles Agrometerology, Soils and Tillage, Soil and Water Conservation, Dryland Agriculture, Mineral Nutrition of Plants, Manures and Fertilizers, Irrigation Water Management, Weed Management, Cropping and Farming Systems, Sustainable Agriculture.

Agrometerology – A branch of meteorology, which investigates the relationship of plants and animals to the physical environment. Agro meteorology describes Agrometeorological Observatory, Atmosphere, Wind, Clouds and Precipitation, Solar Radiation, Air Temperature, Soil Temperature, Humidity and Evaporation, Weather Hazards and their Mitigation, Weather and Crop Productivity, Weather Relations of crops, Weather Forecasting and Classification of Climate and Agro climate in relation to agriculture.

Soils and Tillage – Under this principle of agronomy we can learn Physical Properties of Soil, Chemical Properties of Soil, Biological Properties of Soil, Soil Organic Matter, Salt Affected Soils, and Tillage.

Soil and Water conservation – Soil and water are the most critical resources and therefore must be conserved.

Dryland Agriculture: Dryland farming is cultivation of crops in regions with annual rainfall more than 750 mm. Under this we need to read History of Dryland Agriculture, Problems of Dryland Agriculture, Monsoon and Length of Crop Growing Season, Drought, Moisture Conservation in Drylands, Water Harvesting and Protective Irrigation, Crops and Cropping Systems, Mitigating Adverse Effect of Aberrant Weather, Alternate Land Use Systems, Watershed Management and Improved Dryland Agricultural Implements.

Mineral Nutrition, Manures and Fertilizers – This is is one of the most important principles in agronomy which includes Essentials in Plant Nutrition, Nutrient Uptake by Plants, Soil Fertility Evaluation, Manures, Nitrogen Fertilizers, Phosphatic Fertilizers, Potassic Fertilizers, Calcium, Magnesium and Sulphur, Micronutrients, Mixed Fertilizers, Fertilizer Application, and Fertilizers & Environment.

Irrigation Water Management – Irrigation Water Management is very important for success of agriculture. In irrigation management we need to understand Irrigation in Agriculture, Water Resource & Their Development, Systems of Irrigation, Soil – Water Relationships, Plant – Water Relationship, Evapotranspiration, Water Requirements of Crops, Measurement of Irrigation Water, Scheduling Irrigation, Methods of Irrigation, Irrigation & Water Use Efficiency, Irrigation Practices for Major Crops, Quality of Irrigation Water, Drainage, Cropping Pattern in Command Areas, Pricing Irrigation Water.

Weed Management – Weed is a plant grown at place & time which is not desire. Understanding of Common Weeds, Losses and Benefits, Weed Ecology & Classification, Crop – Weed Association & Competition, Methods of Weed Control, Classification of Herbicides, Herbicide Formulation, Herbicide Application, Absorption & Translocation of Herbicides, Mode of action of Herbicide, Selectivity of Herbicide, Herbicide Combination, Rotations & Interactions, Persistence of Herbicides in Soils, Herbicide Resistance, Chemical Weed Control in Different Crops, Parasitic & Aquatic Weed Control.

Cropping Systems – Cropping systems is gaining more importance in this day and includes Various Terminology, Major Cropping Systems, Agronomy of Rainfed Cropping Systems, Agronomy of Irrigated Cropping Systems, Evaluation of Cropping Systems, Farming Systems and Farming Systems Research

Sustainable Agriculture –  It is a form of agriculture aimed at continually meeting the food and fuel needs of the present generation without endangering the resource base for the future generations. It includes study of Impact of Improved Crop Production Technology, Factors Affecting Ecological Balance, Evaluation of Sustainable Agriculture, Components of Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Utilization of Land Resources, Sustainable Utilization of Water Resources, Sustainable utilization of Biodiversity, Integrated Nutrient Management, Integrated Nutrient Management, Integrated Plant Protection, Enhancing Sustainability of Dryland Agriculture, Enhancing Sustainability of irrigated agriculture, agricultural sustainability and farming systems.