Fundamentals of Agronomy

Book excerpt: Agronomy deals with the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, fiber, and land reclamation. The importance of agronomy provides farmers with agricultural information about how to grow and care for plants and soils in certain environments. Factors such as climate, roots, moisture, weeds, pests, fungi, and erosion can pose significant challenges when farmers attempt to produce a plentiful harvest. In order to discover ways of integrating crops into the environment in ways that will allow them to prosper, agronomists study these agricultural hurdles. Throughout history, scientific and technological advances have greatly impacted the agriculture industry. Early farmers improved their crop production by inventing the first hoes. Today, farmers improve crop production through the use of global positioning systems (GPS). How did these changes happen? How did people learn about new ideas? How have these ideas changed farming methods? In recent times, research and development in this area have made innovations in farming products and practices.Fundamentals Of Agronomy presents the comprehensive coverage in the pursuit of improving the yield of crops, protecting crops against diseases and pest, making livestock healthy all the time, designing the best method of crops storage and even helping in predicting the climate conducive for agricultural practice cannot be over emphasized. Crop protection is very vital in agriculture. Disease affects plants and leads to delay in metabolic activities, stunted growth, shedding of flowers and fruits and sometimes the actual death of the plant. Cultural and chemical controls are most of the time used. Culturally, crop rotation is adopted, burning remains after harvesting, regular weeding of the soil, proper spacing of crops using of high yielding and resistant varieties and practicing of irrigation during dry season are adopted.This book will be of interest to students, professional practitioners, educators, and advisers who work directly with farmers, companies, and others in the agriculture community to implement the latest methods and tools for growing crops profitably and sustainably.