Agronomy
Agronomy is
the science of manipulating crop environment complexes with the duel aim of
improving crop productivity as well as having a better understanding of the
processes involved. The word agronomy
has been derived from two Greek words- `agros' means field and ‘nomos- ' means
to manage. Literally, it means the art of managing fields and technically
it means the science and economics of crop production by management of
farmland. In other words it is the art and underlying science in production and
improvement of field crops with the efficient use of soil fertility, water,
labour and other factors related to crop production. Thus agronomy as a branch of agricultural science deals with principles and practices
of field management for the production crops. Among all the branches
or agriculture, agronomy occupies a pivotal position and is regarded as the
mother or primary branch.
Scope of agrnomy
The central
theme of agronomy is of soil-crop-environment relationships. Field crops
without soil cannot be considered and soil without crops is barren. The core scope of agronomy lies in the
field of crop plant with the theme of controlling the environment (microclimate).
It includes
the study of the magnitude of variation in yield, cause and effect
relationships, internal and external factors and their interrelationships,
techniques of increasing use-efficiency of inputs, evolving technologies for
better management practices of soil, water, nutrients, weeds and crop plants
are the major aspects of agronomy to boost up production and its usable
products per unit land, time and input.
Scientific
crop production includes crop improvement improved agro-techniques, the
ameliorating agro-climate of the locality and other aspects of the surrounding
area for the entire fi duration of crop concerned.
Principle of agronomy
A principle
means a scientific law that explains natural action and agronomic principles
are the ways and means for the better management of soil, plants and
environment for economically maximum returns per unit area.
Principles
of crop management depend largely on the type of farming namely, specialized,
diversified, mixed and integrated and also on the physical and technological
facilities available, irrigated farming, dry farming and rain fed farming.
The fundamental principles of agronomy may be
listed as:
1, Planning,
programming and executing measures for maximum for utilization of land, labour,
capital, sunshine, rain-water, temperature, humidity, transport and marketing
facilities.
2. Choice of
crop varieties adaptable to the particular agro-climate, land situation, soil
fertility, season and method of cultivation and befitting to the cropping
system.
3. Proper
field management by tillage, preparing field channels and bunds for irrigation
and drainage, checking soil erosion, leveling and adopting other suitable land
improvement practices.
4. Adoption
of multiple cropping and also mixed or intercropping to ensure harvest even
under adverse environmental conditions.
5. Timely
application of proper and balanced nutrients to the crop or crops in sequence
and improvement of soil fertility and productivity. Correction of bad-effects
of soil reactions and conditions and increasing soil organic matter through the
application of green manure, farm yard manure, organic wastes, biofertilizers
and profitable recycling of organic wastes.
6. Choice of
quality seed or seed material and maintenance of requisite plant density per
unit area with, healthy and uniform seedlings.
7. Proper
water management with respect to crop, soil and environment through
conservation and utilization of soil moisture as well as by water that is
available in excess.
8. Adoption
of adequate, need-based, timely and proper plant protection measures against
weeds, insect-pests, pathogens, as well as climatic hazards and correction of
deficiencies and disorders.
9. Adoption of
suitable and proper management practices including intercultural operations to
get maximum benefit.
10. Adoption
of suitable method and time of harvesting of crop to reduce field-damage and to
release land for succeeding crop(s) and efficient utilization of residual
moisture, plant nutrients and other management practices.
11. Adoption
of suitable post-harvest technologies.
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