4r Agronomy

[Paul]

Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants by agriculture for food, fuel, fiber, chemicals, recreation, or land conservation. Agronomy has come to include research of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. It is the application of a combination of sciences such as biology, chemistry, economics, ecology, earth science, and genetics. Professionals of agronomy are termed agronomists.

Agronomy has a long and rich history dating to the Neolithic Revolution. Some of the earliest practices of agronomy are found in ancient civilizations, including Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, China and India. They developed various techniques for the management of soil fertility, irrigation and crop rotation.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, advances in science led to the development of modern agronomy. German chemist Justus von Liebig and John Bennett Lawes, an English entrepreneur, contributed to the understanding of plant nutrition and soil chemistry. Their work laid for the establishment of modern fertilizers and agricultural practices.

Agronomy continued to evolve with the development of new technology and practices in the 20th century. From the 1960s, the Green Revolution saw the introduction of high-yield variety of crops, modern fertilizers and improvement of agricultural practices. It led to an increase of global food production to help reduce hunger and poverty in many parts of the world.

This topic of agronomy involves selective breeding of plants to produce the best crops for various conditions. Plant breeding has increased crop yields and has improved the nutritional value of numerous crops, including corn, soybeans, and wheat. It has also resulted in the development of new types of plants. For example, a hybrid grain named triticale was produced by crossbreeding rye and wheat. Triticale contains more usable protein than does either rye or wheat. Agronomy has also been instrumental for fruit and vegetable production research. Furthermore, the application of plant breeding for turfgrass development has resulted in a reduction in the demand for fertilizer and water inputs (requirements), as well as turf-types with higher disease resistance.

Agronomists use biotechnology to extend and expedite the development of desired characteristics.[1] Biotechnology is often a laboratory activity requiring field testing of new crop varieties that are developed.

In addition to increasing crop yields agronomic biotechnology is being applied increasingly 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.

Agronomists study sustainable ways to make soils more productive and profitable. They classify soils and analyze them to determine whether they contain nutrients vital for plant growth. Common macronutrients analyzed include compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. Soil is also assessed for several micronutrients, like zinc and boron. The percentage of organic matter, soil pH, and nutrient holding capacity (cation exchange capacity) are tested in a regional laboratory. Agronomists will interpret these laboratory reports and make recommendations to modify soil nutrients for optimal plant growth.[2]

Additionally, agronomists develop methods to preserve soil and decrease the effects of [erosion] by wind and water. For example, a technique known as contour plowing may be used to prevent soil erosion and conserve rainfall. Researchers of agronomy also seek ways to use the soil more effectively for solving other problems. Such problems include the disposal of human and animal manure, water pollution, and pesticide accumulation in the soil, as well as preserving the soil for future generations such as the burning of paddocks after crop production. Pasture management techniques include no-till farming, planting of soil-binding grasses along contours on steep slopes, and using contour drains of depths as much as 1 metre.[3]

Agroecology is the management of agricultural systems with an emphasis on ecological and environmental applications.[4] This topic is associated closely with work for sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and alternative food systems and the development of alternative cropping systems.[5]

Theoretical production ecology is the quantitative study of the growth of crops. The plant is treated as a kind of biological factory, which processes light, carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients into harvestable products. The main parameters considered are temperature, sunlight, standing crop biomass, plant production distribution, and nutrient and water supply.[citation needed]

Agronomy at Purdue University provides global leadership in plant genetics, plant physiology, soil and water sciences, and meteorology to enhance the quality of life through agronomic education that results from discovery, education, and engagement.

Agronomy is the core of all agricultural sciences. The management of soil and water, with a view to achieving production of high yielding varieties is exclusively an agronomic domain. Among all the variances in agriculture, agronomy occupies a pivotal position. Similar to agriculture, agronomy is an integrated and applied aspect of different disciplines of pure sciences.

2024 The Trustees of Purdue University Accessibility An Equal Access/Equal Opportunity University USDA non-discrimination statement Integrity Statement Free Expression DOE Degree Scorecards Copyright Complaints Maintained by Purdue Agricultural Communications

Our faculty and staff are leading the charge in groundbreaking research and technology for agriculture. By combining classroom, lab, and field experiences, we encourage learning and knowledge across disciplines. Join us and help move agronomy into the future.

Our students regularly leave their mark on the industry during and after their time at K-State. While working with and learning from our award winning faculty, students are given tools and resources to drive their own success and innovations.

Agronomy for Sustainable Development is an international journal with the objective to publish literature on the interface with agronomy, cropping and farming system research with ecological, genetic, environmental, economic or social sciences.

• The journal is committed to publishing high-quality research and reviews that provide novel insights.
• Publishes original experimental, empirical and theoretical research articles, review articles and meta-analyses leading to enhanced sustainability for agricultural and food systems.
• Is owned by the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE), a leading research institute in the field.
• Ranked the top agronomy journal worldwide by Impact Factor (2022)

Due to the summer vacations at ASD, article processing and correspondence to authors will be in slow mode from mid-July to the end of August. We will resume our regular activities at the end of August. Thank you for your understanding.

In this Virtual Issue of Agronomy for Sustainable Development (ASD), we want to explore the latest scientific advances providing insights and solutions to pave the way for an agriculture with much less chemical pesticides and ultimately with none at all. We will include articles on four main scientific domains:

- The conceptual framework of the resilience of agricultural systems, appropriate indicators and evaluation methods
- Empirical evidence from longterm agroforestry and mixed farming experiments on their resilience against climate change as compared to monocropping and pure livestock systems
- Modelling the resilience of agricultural systems against climate change: Model development, scenarios, biophysical and bio-economic evaluations.
Submission Deadline: 31 May 2024 Expected 2024

We generate and apply knowledge about the plants that feed and benefit humankind. Agronomic crops are typically grown for grain to feed people and livestock, or are processed into products. Feed crops are grown specifically to meet the nutritional needs of livestock. Forage crops are grown for their stems, leaves, and other edible plant parts.

We study the interactions among cropping systems, climate, and the environment. We emphasize sustainable agriculture, whether precision, traditional or organic, in order to reduce the impact on the environment and the inhabitants of our planet.

Undergraduates in the agronomy program earn a bachelor of science degree to prepare them for everything from pursuit of a graduate degree to careers in science, education, agriculture, agribusiness, and environment and conservation.

Students who attend Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have the option to declare this major at SOAR. Students may otherwise declare after they have begun their undergraduate studies. For more information, contact the advisor listed in the Contact Box for the major.

In addition to the University General Education Requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements (General Education and Breadth) or within college requirements (First-Year Seminar, International Studies, Science, and Capstone), but courses counted toward university requirements may also be used to satisfy a college and/or a major requirement; similarly, courses counted toward college requirements may also be used to satisfy a university and/or a major requirement.

The Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences is faculty-advised, meaning that faculty members take on the responsibility of guiding and advising undergraduates through graduation. Students and faculty are matched as closely as possible by interest. All new first-year and transfer students are temporarily advised by the student services coordinator until the advising relationship between professor and student is established. If you would like to have a conversation about joining the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, please contact agro...@wisc.edu or the advisor, Bill Tracy wft...@wisc.edu.

c80f0f1006