AGRON-111 Fundamentals of Agronomy

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Objectives

To impart the basic and fundamental knowledge of Agronomy

Theory

Agronomy and its scope: Definition, meaning and scope of Agronomy; art, science and
business of crop production, relation of Agronomy with other disciplines of Agricultural
Science, fields crops and classification, importance, ecology and ecosystem. Dormancy; its
type and methods of breaking dormancy. Seeds and sowing: Definitions of crops, variety and
seed. Factors affecting crop stands establishment: good quality seed, proper tillage, time of sowing seed rate, depth and method of sowing: broadcasting, drilling, dibbling, transplanting
etc. Tillage and tilth: Definition, objectives, types, advantages and disadvantages of tillage
including conservation tillage. Crop density and geometry: plant geometry and planting
geometry, its effect on growth, yield.

Crop nutrition: Definition of essential nutrients, criteria of essentiality, functional
elements, classification of essential nutrients, role of macro and micronutrients. Nutrient
absorption, active and passive absorption of nutrients, forms of plant nutrients absorbed by
plants, Combined /uncombined forms. Manures and fertilizers, nutrient use efficiency:
Sources of nutrients: Inorganic (fertilizers), organic (manures) and bio-fertilizers; their
classification and characteristics, method of preparation and role of organic manures in crop
production. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): Meaning, different approaches and
advantages of INM. Green manure- role in crop production: Definition, objective types of
green manuring, desirable characteristics, advantages and limitations of green manuring.

Water management: Water resources of the world, India and the state; Soil Moisture
constants: gravitational water, capillary water, hygroscopic water, Soil moisture constants.

Weeds: Definition, Importance and basics of classification of weeds and their
control. Agroclimatic zones of India and the state, cropping systems: Factors affecting
cropping systems, major cropping patterns and systems in the country. Sustainable crop
production: Definition, importance and practices, natural resources and conservation
pollution and pollutants, Allelopathy: Meaning and importance in crop production, Growth
and development of crops: Definition, Meaning and factors affecting growth and
development.

Practical

A visit to Instructional Crop farm and study on field crops, Identification of crops, seeds,
fertilizers, pesticides, Crops and cropping systems in different Agro-climatic zones of the
state, Study of some preparatory tillage implements, Study of inter tillage implements,
Practice of ploughing / puddling, Study and practice of inter cultivation in field crops,
Numerical exercises on calculation of seed, plant population and fertilizer requirement,
Study of yield contributing characters and yield estimation of crops, Identification of weeds
in different crops, Seed germination and viability test of seed, Practice on time and method
of application of manures and fertilizers. Measurement of soil moisture by gravimetric and
volumetric method and bulk density, Determination of field capacity, Determination of gross
and net irrigation requirement. Determination of infiltration rate.

Lecture schedule: Theory

S.N.	Topic	No. of lectures
1.	Agronomy and its scope: Definition, meaning and scope of Agronomy; art, science and business of crop production	2
2.	Relation of Agronomy with other disciplines of Agricultural Science	1
3.	Fields crops and classification, importance, ecology and ecosystem	1
4.	Dormancy; its type and methods of breaking dormancy	1
5.	Seeds and sowing: Definitions of crops, variety and seed.	1
6.	Factors affecting crop stands establishment: good quality seed, proper tillage, time of sowing seed rate	1
7.	Depth and method of sowing: broadcasting, drilling, dibbling, transplanting etc	1
8.	Tillage and tilth: Definition, objectives, types	1
9.	Advantages and disadvantages of tillage including conservation tillage	1
10.	Crop density and geometry: plant geometry and planting geometry, its effect on growth, yield	1
11.	Crop nutrition: Definition of essential nutrients, criteria of essentiality, functional elements	1
12.	Classification of essential nutrients, role of macro and micro nutrients	2
13.	Nutrient absorption, active and passive absorption of nutrients, forms of plant nutrients absorbed by plants, Combined /uncombined forms	2
14.	Manures and fertilizers, nutrient use efficiency: Sources of nutrients: Inorganic (fertilizers), organic (manures) and bio-fertilizers; their classification and characteristics, method of preparation and role of organic manures in crop production	2
15.	Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): Meaning, different approaches and advantages of INM	2
16.	Green manure- role in crop production: Definition, objectives types of green manuring, desirable characteristics, advantages and limitations of green manuring	2
17.	Water management: Water resources of the world, India and the state;	1
18.	Soil Moisture constants: gravitational water, capillary water, hygroscopic water, Soil moisture constants	1
19.	Weeds: Definition, Importance and basics of classification of weeds and their control	2
20.	Agroclimatic zones of India and the state, cropping systems: Factors affecting cropping systems, major cropping patterns and systems in the country	2
21.	Sustainable crop production: Definition, importance and practices, natural resources and conservation pollution and pollutants	2
22.	Allelopathy: Meaning and importance in crop production	1
23.	Growth and development of crops: Definition, Meaning and factors affecting growth and developmen	1

Lecturer schedule: Practical

1. A visit to Instructional Crop farm and study on field crops 1
2. Identification of crops, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides 1
3. Crops and cropping systems in different Agro-climatic zones of the state, 1
4. Study of some preparatory tillage implements 1
5. Study of inter tillage implements 1
6. Practice of ploughing / puddling 1
7. Study and practice of inter cultivation in field crops 1
8. Numerical exercises on calculation of seed, plant population and fertilizer requirement 1
9. Study of yield contributing characters and yield estimation of crops 1
10. Identification of weeds in different crops 1
11. Seed germination and viability test of seed 1
12. Practice on time and method of application of manures and fertilizers 1
13. Measurement of soil moisture by gravimetric and volumetric method and bulk density 1
14. Determination of field capacity 1
15. Determination of gross and net irrigation requirement 1
16. Determination of infiltration rate 1

Refereces

1. Rakesh, S. 2022. Textbook on Fundamentals of Agronomy. Shashwat Publication,
   Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh – 495001
2. Rao V S. 1992. Principles of Weed Science. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Ltd.
   New Delhi.
3. Reddy Yellamanda T and Shankar Reddy G H. 1995. Principles of Agronomy.
   Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana.
4. Reddy, S. R. 2008. Principle of Crop Production, Kalyani Publisher, Ludhiana.
5. William L Donn. 1965. Meteorology. McGraw-Hill Book Co. New York.
6. Yawalkar K S and Agarwal J P. 1977. Manures and Fertilizers. Agricultural
   Horticultural Publishing House, Nagpur.