Agronomy is the application of scientific theories to agriculture, specifically focused on large-scale field crops and staple food for livestock. It includes farm financial management, market research, and responsible and sustainable agronomic growth. Agronomists study crop rotation, soil chemistry, irrigation, and drainage to increase agricultural production while mitigating negative environmental impacts. They also selectively breed plants for higher yields and resistance to parasites, viruses, and fungi.
While farmers and ranchers once relied on generations of advice and the Farmer’s Almanac, this has slowly evolved into the scientific side of farming. Agronomy refers to the application of scientific theories – biological, ecological, economic and technological – to the practice of agriculture. It is specifically focused on large-scale field crops, such as wheat, corn, and soybeans. It also refers to crops that are the staple food for livestock or that provide fiber for the basic fabric. Agronomy, or agricultural economics, is a subsection of agronomy that refers to the application of economic methods and models to the decisions made by farmers.
Farms and individuals using agronomic research apply basic economics and farm techniques to both small and large farms. These techniques include farm financial management; market research; price, supply and demand; and market structures and development. Historically, farms grew and raised a variety of crops and livestock with one major crop to be sold for a stable income. Now, agronomy is focused on getting the most economic value out of the least amount of seeds, land and labor.
Environmentalists, scientists and entrepreneurs have focused their attention on agronomy and agronomy. As more plants are used in biofuels for vehicles and heavy machinery, agronomists will need to increase agricultural production to meet growing demand from the industrial and food sectors. Meanwhile, these scientists must ensure that increased agricultural production doesn’t destroy soil chemistry or deplete natural resources. Agronomists are working towards responsible and sustainable agronomic growth and work to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of agriculture on natural ecosystems.
Other notable areas of agronomy include crop rotation, soil chemistry, irrigation, and drainage. By rotating different crop species on the same fields, agronomists and farmers can control the accumulation of pests and insects that are attracted to or survive on one type of plant. Plants absorb most of their nutrients directly from the soil. Because different plants need different nutrients, crop rotation also ensures that the soil remains fertile with balanced minerals, nutrients, and microorganisms in the soil.
It is also necessary to study the chemical reactions in agricultural soil that affect crop growth and production. This includes the mineral composition and the mobility and toxicity of soil contaminants. While agronomists follow it to ensure crops are not contaminated, it is also important for any organization working to clean up or reclaim contaminated land.
The amount and consistency of rainfall is a highly variable aspect of agriculture. Crops need the right amount of water – and water drainage – to thrive. Agronomists study and innovate irrigation systems, including overhead sprinklers, furrow irrigation, drip irrigation, and underground irrigation.
Agronomists work to get as many crops as possible from every seed and every inch of soil, and that doesn’t stop at germination. It is necessary for agronomists to study and protect plants from shoots during harvesting. Much of weed, insect, and pest control involves crop rotation and plant husbandry; however, it also includes keeping weeds out of the crop space, planting companions, and both synthetic and natural insecticides.
Besides studying to improve the environment in which plants grow, agronomy also focuses on improving plants. Agronomists selectively breed plants with higher crop yields and higher nutritional values. They also work towards increased resistance to parasites, viruses and fungi.
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