Agronomy Quiz

Agronomy: The Science of Producing and Using Plants

• Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for various purposes, including food, fuel, fiber, chemicals, recreation, or land conservation.
• The field of agronomy encompasses research in plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, soil science, biology, chemistry, economics, ecology, earth science, and genetics.
• Agronomists are professionals who apply a combination of sciences to the study of plants and their use.
• Plant breeding is a topic of agronomy that involves selective breeding of plants to produce the best crops for various conditions. It has led to increased crop yields, improved nutritional value, and the development of new types of plants.
• Biotechnology is used by agronomists to extend and expedite the development of desired characteristics in plants. It is also being applied increasingly for novel uses other than food, such as producing fatty acids for detergents, substitute fuels, and petrochemicals.
• Soil science is another area of agronomy that focuses on making soils more productive and profitable. Agronomists classify and analyze soils to determine whether they contain nutrients vital for plant growth, interpret laboratory reports, and make recommendations to modify soil nutrients for optimal plant growth.
• Agronomists also develop methods to preserve soil and decrease the effects of erosion by wind and water, such as contour plowing and planting of soil-binding grasses along contours on steep slopes.
• Agroecology is the management of agricultural systems with an emphasis on ecological and environmental applications. It is associated closely with work for sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and alternative food systems.
• Theoretical production ecology is the quantitative study of the growth of crops and the main parameters considered are temperature, sunlight, standing crop biomass, plant production distribution, and nutrient and water supply.