Agronomy is the science of utilizing plants for food, fuel, feed, and fiber. To do this effectively and in a sustainable manner, agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science.^[1] Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology, chemistry, ecology, earth science, and genetics. Agronomists today are involved with many issues including producing food, creating healthier food, managing environmental impacts, and creating energy from plants.^[2] Agronomists often specialize in areas such as crop rotation, irrigation and drainage, plant breeding, soil classification, soil fertility, weed control, insect and pest control and other areas. Satellite image of circular crop fields in Haskell County, Kansas in late June 2001. ... Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops. ... Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from a given area. ... Plant breeding is the purposeful manipulation of plant species in order to create desired genotypes and phenotypes for specific purposes. ... Soil classification deals with the systematic categorization of soils based on distinguishing characteristics as well as criteria that dictate choices in use. ... Soil fertility is the characteristic of soil that supports abundant plant life. ... Weed control, a botanical component of pest control, stops weeds from reaching a mature stage of growth when they could be harmful to domesticated plants, sometimes livestocks, by using manual techniques including soil cultivation, mulching and herbicides. ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... A crop duster applies low-insecticide bait that is targeted against Western corn rootworms Pest control refers to the regulation or management of another species defined as a pest, usually because it is believed to be detrimental to a persons health, the ecology or the economy Pest control is...

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An agronomist field sampling a trial plot of flax.

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[edit] Plant Breeding

This area of high demand in Agronomy involves selective breeding of plants to produce the best crops under various conditions. Plant breeding has increased crop yields and has improved the nutritional value of several crops, including corn, soybeans, and wheat. It also has led to the development of new types of plants. For example, a hybrid grain called triticale was produced by crossbreeding rye and wheat. Triticale contains more usable protein than does either rye or wheat. Agronomy has also been instrumental in fruit and vegetable production research. Also, it is understood that the role of Agronomist includes seeing whether produce from a field satisfies the following conditions: 1. Land and water access, 2. Commencialisation (market), 3. Quality and Quantity of inputs, 4. Risk protection (insurance), 5. Agricultural credit. Selective breeding in domesticated animals is the process of developing a cultivated breed over time. ... Plant breeding is the purposeful manipulation of plant species in order to create desired genotypes and phenotypes for specific purposes. ... This article is about the maize plant. ... Binomial name Glycine max Soybeans (US) or soya beans (UK) (Glycine max) are a high-protein legume (Family Fabaceae) grown as food for both humans and livestock. ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 Wheat Wheat For the indie rock group, see Wheat (band). ... This article is about a biological term. ... Triticale Triticale (x Triticosecale) is an artificial or man-made hybrid of rye and wheat first bred in laboratories during the late 19th century. ... Binomial name Secale cereale M.Bieb. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin showing coloured alpha helices. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Vegetable (disambiguation). ...

[edit] Biotechnology

An agronomist mapping a plant genome.

Agronomists use biotechnology to extend and expedite the development of desired characteristics listed in the Plant Breeding section.^[3] Biotechnology is is often a lab activity requiring field testing of the new crop varieties that are developed. The structure of insulin Biotechnology is technology based on biology, especially when used in agriculture, food science, and medicine. ...

In addition to increasing crop yields, reducing crop vulnerability to environmental stresses, improving health and taste of foods, and reducing the need for field applied chemicals, agronomic biotechnology is increasingly being applied for novel uses other than food. For example, oilseed is at present used mainly for margarine and other food oils, but it can be modified to produce fatty acids for detergents, substitute fuels and petrochemicals.^[4]

[edit] Soil Science

Agronomists describing a soil sample in Uganda, Africa.

Main article: Agricultural soil science

Agronomists study sustainable ways to make soils more productive. They classify soils and reproduce them to determine whether they contain substances vital to plant growth. Such nutritional substances include compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. If a certain soil is deficient in these substances, fertilizers may provide them. Agronomists investigate the movement of nutrients through the soil, and the amount of nutrients absorbed by a plant's roots. Agronomists also examine the development of the roots and their relation to the soil. Agricultural soil science is a branch of soil science that deals with the study of edaphic conditions as they relate to the production of food and fiber. ... Loess field in Germany Surface-water-gley developed in glacial till, Northern Ireland For the American hard rock band, see SOiL. For the System of a Down song, see Soil (song). ... General Name, symbol, number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... General Name, symbol, number phosphorus, P, 15 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 3, p Appearance waxy white/ red/ black/ colorless Standard atomic weight 30. ... General Name, symbol, number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, period, block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Standard atomic weight 39. ...

[edit] Soil Conservation

In addition, agronomists develop methods to preserve the soil and to decrease the effects of erosion by wind and water. For example, a technique called contour plowing may be used to prevent soil erosion and conserve rainfall. Researchers in agronomy also seek ways to use the soil more effectively in solving other problems. Such problems include the disposal of human and animal wastes; water pollution; and the build-up in the soil of chemicals called pesticides, which are used to kill insects and other pests. No-tilling crops is a technique now used to help prevent erosion. planting of soil binding grasses along contours can be tried in steep slopes. For better effect, contour drains of depths up to 1 metre may help retain the soil and prevent permanent wash off. For morphological image processing operations, see Erosion (morphology). ... Contour plowing, Pennsylvania, 1938 Contour ploughing or contour farming is the farming practice of ploughingg across a slope following its contours. ... Raw sewage and industrial waste flows into the U.S. from Mexico as the New River passes from Mexicali, Baja California to Calexico, California Water pollution is a large set of adverse effects upon water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater caused by human activities. ... A cropduster spreading pesticide. ...

[edit] Agroecology

Agroecology is the management of agricultural systems with a strong emphasis on ecological and environmental perspectives.^[5] This area is closely associated with work in the areas of Sustainable Agriculture, Organic agriculture, and the development of alternative cropping systems. Agroecology is the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to the design, development, and management of sustainable agricultural systems. ... It has been suggested that Small-scale agriculture be merged into this article or section. ... Organic farming is a psuedoscientific form of agriculture which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators, and livestock feed additives. ...

[edit] Theoretical modelling

See Theoretical production ecology Theoretical production ecology tries to quantatively study the growth of crops. ...

[edit] Agronomy Schools

Higher education is currently a common denominator for agronomist. There are many agronomy schools around the world with high standards and first class research facilities.

[edit] Career Outlook

Employment of Agronomists is expected to grow 9 percent between 2006 and 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Past agricultural research has created higher yielding crops, crops with better resistance to pests and plant pathogens, and more effective fertilizers and pesticides. Research is still necessary, however, particularly as insects and diseases continue to adapt to pesticides and as soil fertility and water quality continue to need improvement.

Emerging biotechnologies will play an ever larger role in agricultural research. Scientists will be needed to apply these technologies to the creation of new food products and other advances. Moreover, increasing demand is expected for biofuels and other agricultural products used in industrial processes. Agricultural scientists will be needed to find ways to increase the output of crops used in these products.

Agronomists will also be needed to balance increased agricultural output with protection and preservation of soil, water, and ecosystems. They increasingly encourage the practice of sustainable agriculture by developing and implementing plans to manage pests, crops, soil fertility and erosion, and animal waste in ways that reduce the use of harmful chemicals and do little damage to farms and the natural environment.^[6]

Most agronomists are consultants, researchers, or teachers. Many work for agricultural experiment stations, federal or state government agencies, industrial firms, or universities. Agronomists also serve in such international organizations as the Agency for International Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. An agricultural experiment station is a research center that conducts scientific investigations to solve problems and suggest improvements in the food and agriculture industry. ... The United States Agency for International Development (or USAID) is the US government organization responsible for most non-military foreign aid. ... FAO redirects here. ... UN and U.N. redirect here. ...

[edit] See also

• Agriculture
• Agricultural economics
• Agricultural experiment station
• Agronomist
• Plant physiology

Agricultural economics originally applied the principles of economics to the production of crops and livestock - a discipline known as agronomics. ... An agricultural experiment station is a research center that conducts scientific investigations to solve problems and suggest improvements in the food and agriculture industry. ... Agricultural science (also called agronomy) is a broad multidisciplinary field that encompasses the parts of exact, natural, economic, and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture. ... A germination rate experiment Plant physiology is a subdiscipline of botany concerned with the function, or physiology, of plants. ...

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• The Future World of Agriculture by Wendy B. Murphy, Watts, 1984.
• Storia delle scienze agrarie by Antonio Saltini, 4 vols, Bologna 1984-89, ISBN 88-206-2412-5, ISBN 88-206-2413-3, ISBN 88-206-2414-1, ISBN 88-206-2414-X

[edit] External links

• The American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
• European Society for Agronomy
• The World Food Prize
• The National Agricultural Library (NAL) – Comprehensive agricultural library.