Notes and Study material for Exams
Tillage: A Balancing Act Between Productivity and Sustainability Tillage, the mechanical manipulation of soil to prepare it for planting, has been a cornerstone of agriculture for centuries. It serves a multitude of purposes, including: Seedbed preparation: Creating a suitable environment for seed germination and seedling establishment. Weed control: Disrupting weed growth and competition. Incorporation of … Read more
Double Cropping: Maximizing Yield and Profitability in Agriculture The world’s population is growing, and with it, the demand for food. Feeding this growing population requires innovative and sustainable agricultural practices. One such practice, gaining increasing popularity, is double cropping. This technique involves growing two crops in the same field within a single growing season, maximizing … Read more
Intercropping: A Symphony of Species for Sustainable Agriculture The world’s population is growing, and with it, the demand for food. Traditional monoculture farming, where a single crop dominates a field, struggles to meet this demand while facing challenges like soil degradation, pest outbreaks, and reliance on synthetic inputs. A promising alternative lies in intercropping, a … Read more
Strip Intercropping: A Sustainable Approach to Boosting Agricultural Productivity and Biodiversity Introduction The global demand for food is steadily increasing, driven by population growth and changing dietary preferences. This escalating demand puts immense pressure on agricultural systems, leading to concerns about environmental sustainability and food security. Conventional monoculture farming practices, while efficient in the short … Read more
The Art of Mixed Cropping: A Sustainable Path to Enhanced Productivity and Resilience The world’s population is growing, and with it, the demand for food. Simultaneously, the planet faces the pressing challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss. These challenges necessitate a shift towards more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices. One promising approach … Read more
What is Crop Rotation? Crop rotation is the practice of growing different types of crops in the same field in a planned sequence over a period of years. This helps to improve SoilSoil health, control pests and diseases, and increase crop yields. Two-Field Rotations Three-Field Rotations Four-Field Rotations (and beyond) Sod Crops in Rotation Green … Read more
The Power of Manure: A Deep Dive into Essential Elements for Plant Growth Manure, a natural byproduct of animal waste, has long been recognized as a valuable resource for enriching soil and promoting plant growth. Its organic composition provides a wealth of nutrients, improving soil structure and fostering a thriving ecosystem for plants. This article … Read more
Green Manuring: A Sustainable Way to Improve SoilSoil Health Green manure is a type of cover crop that is grown and then turned under the Soil to improve soil health. Green manure crops are typically legumes, such as alfalfa or clover, which fix nitrogen from the air and add it to the soil. They can … Read more
Green Leaf Manuring Green manure is a type of organic fertilizer that is made from growing and then incorporating green plants into the SoilSoil. Green manure plants are typically legumes, such as alfalfa or clover, but they can also be non-legumes, such as buckwheat or mustard. Plant Sources Trees and shrubs Herbaceous plants WeedsWeeds (non-invasive) … Read more
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Agriculture Introduction The world’s population is steadily increasing, demanding a corresponding rise in food production. However, conventional agricultural practices, heavily reliant on synthetic fertilizers, are facing mounting challenges. Environmental degradation, resource depletion, and rising input costs are pushing the agricultural sector towards a critical juncture. This … Read more