Agronomy 

Introduction 

Agronomy is a branch of agricultural science that primarily deals with the integrated and holistic perspective of agriculture. Derived from the word ‘Agros’ which means ‘field and management’, agronomy is basically the study of crop development and soil management. It is important for you to know that agronomy careers are dedicated to improving soil quality and crop production alongside solving other agricultural problems like those related to pests, weeds, resource management, and waste management. 

What is Covered in Agronomy? 

• Development of new and improved agricultural procedures or products for eliminating or controlling crop diseases, insect pests, and weed growth. 
• Research on different sustainable agricultural practices and processes. 
• Research on various hydrologic processes and preparation of relevant technical or scientific reports. 
• Formulation of environmentally safe products or practices to enhance soil quality along with keeping proper control on pests, weeds, and crop diseases. 

Knowledge Required 

• Basic knowledge of plants as well as animal organisms, their cells, tissues, functions, and interactions with other organisms and the environment. 
• Proper knowledge of the English language including all essential rules of composition and grammar. 
• Basic learning of mathematics including an understanding of algebra, arithmetic, geometry, statistics, calculus, and their applications. 
• Knowledge of the chemical structure, composition, and properties of various substances. 

Skills Required 

• Oral and Written Comprehension – The ability to listen or read and understand information and ideas that are presented in writing or through spoken words. 
• Category Flexibility – The skill to generate and use different rules for grouping or combining things in dissimilar ways.  
• Deductive Reasoning – It refers to the ability to relate general rules with specific problems in order to produce relevant answers. 

Personality Traits 

• Dependability
• Integrity
• Attention to detail
• Critical thinker
• Active learner

Table 

Scope/Career Options 

• Research and development industry
• Agriculture industry 
• Consulting sector 
• Production and management industry

Universities 

• Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology- Udaipur, Rajasthan- http://www.mpuat.ac.in/
• Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya- Chhattisgarh-http://igau.edu.in/
• Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology-Uttarakhand-http://www.gbpuat.ac.in/
• Agricultural College and Research Institute - https://tnau.ac.in/college-acrimadurai/
• Tamil Nadu Agricultural College - https://tnau.ac.in/
• Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University - https://www.angrau.ac.in/angrau/

Exams - Timeline - Links

• JEE Main (Paper 1) -April- http://jeemain.nic.in/webinfo/Public/Home.aspx
• GUJCET -May- http://www.gseb.org
• EAMCET -April- http://www.apeamcet.org
• SHIATS -June/July- http://www.shiats.edu.in
• ICAR-AIEEA -May- http://www.icar.org.in

Similar Careers

• Microbiology
• Zoology and Wildlife Biology
• Agricultural Sciences 
• Hydrology