Agronomy and Crop Improvement Study

Improvement in Food Resources

• Cereals provide carbohydrates
• Pulses supply protein
• Fruits offer vitamins and minerals
• Vegetables contribute vitamins and fiber

Biotic and Abiotic Factors Affecting Crop Production

• Biotic factors (pests, diseases) negatively impact crop production
• Abiotic factors (temperature, soil quality) also influence crop growth
• Proper management of biotic and abiotic factors is crucial for optimizing crop yields

Desirable Agronomic Characteristics for Crop Improvement

• High yield, resistance to pests and diseases
• Adaptability to various climates
• Efficient use of nutrients
• Tolerance to environmental stresses (drought, extreme temperatures)
• Improved nutritional content
• Enhanced overall crop performance and sustainability

Macronutrients

• Macronutrients are vital plant nutrients required in large quantities for growth
• Examples include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, essential for plant growth

Plant Nutrient Uptake

• Plants absorb dissolved minerals from the soil
• Water containing these minerals is absorbed by the roots
• Some nutrients may also be absorbed through leaves

Manure and Fertilizers in Maintaining Soil Fertility

• Manure improves soil structure and releases nutrients slowly
• Fertilizers deliver nutrients quickly for rapid growth
• Combining manure and fertilizers is effective in maintaining soil fertility

Preventive Measures and Biological Control

• Preventive measures and biological control are preferred for crop protection due to eco-friendliness, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness
• Chemical residue reduction is a benefit

Grain Losses During Storage

• Pests, fungi, and molds during storage cause grain losses
• Factors like inadequate temperature control, poor ventilation, suboptimal storage structures, prolonged storage, and physical damage contribute

Cattle Improvement

• Selective breeding is used to enhance desirable traits for cattle
• This method helps improve genetic characteristics over time

Dairy and Poultry Farming Practices

• Dairy practices include balanced feed for milk production, veterinary care, and hygienic milking practices
• Poultry practices include biosecurity, nutrition, housing, disease control, and selective breeding

Bee Varieties for Honey Production

• High yield, docility, disease resistance, foraging efficiency, wax production, and low swarming tendency are desirable traits in honeybee varieties

• Pasturage availability determines the quantity and quality of nectar produced by bees

Crop Production Methods

• Precision farming improves crop yields through precise resource use (water, fertilizers)

Intercropping and Crop Rotation

• Intercropping prevents the spread of pests and diseases
• Crop rotation increases soil fertility

Genetic Manipulation

• Genetic manipulation enhances desirable plant characteristics through gene transfer from one plant to another

Storage Grain Losses

• Biotic and abiotic factors cause storage grain losses

Benefits of Animal Husbandry Practices

• Increased fuel, fertilizer, clothing, drought resistance, better transportation, and higher production are benefits

Cattle Production Benefits

• Good quality milk and farm work animals can be produced
• Drought-resistant and disease-resistant varieties can be obtained through cross-breeding

Poultry, Fisheries, Beekeeping Production

• Regular cleaning, maintenance, and temperature control are essential for increased production in these sectors

Capture Fishing, Mericulture, Aquaculture

• Capture fishing involves obtaining fish from natural resources
• Mericulture focuses on culturing marine species (e.g., fish, crabs, lobsters)
• Aquaculture involves producing aquatic animals, like prawns