Principles of Soil Science and Agronomy (1BSSA105/205)

Principles of Soil Science and Agronomy

Course Code 1BSSA105/205 
Semester I/II
CIE Marks 50
Teaching Hours/Week (L:T:P: S) (3:0:0:0) 
SEE Marks 50
Total Hours of Pedagogy 40 
Total Marks 100
Credits 3 
Exam Hours 3
Examination type (SEE) Theory

Module-1

Fundamentals of Agronomy: Agriculture: definition, meaning and its branches, Introduction and

scope of agronomy- National and International Agricultural Research Institutes in India, Classification

of crops, According to Origin, Botanical, Commercial, Economical, Ontogeny, Agronomic, Leaf

Morphology and Special Purpose crops.

Agro-Climatic Classification: Definition of climate and weather, Definition of meteorology,

Climatology, Agro-meteorology, composition and structure of atmosphere, Influence of weather on

crop growth and development. Agro climatic zones of Karnataka and India.

Number of Hours:08

Module-2

Agronomic Practices: Tillage-Objective of tillage, characteristics of good seed bed, Types of Tillage.

Sowing- Methods of sowing, time and depth of sowing of major crops, Methods and time of application

of manure and fertilizers.

Farming Approaches: Critical growth stages and water requirements of various field crops. WeedsImportance, classification of weeds, principles and practices of weed management. Dryland farming,

organic farming and Integrated farming system.

Number of Hours:08

Module-3

Fundamentals of Soil Science: Soil, Definition -branches of Soil science, Rocks: Definition –

classification-igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, Minerals- Definition, classification,

Soil Formation Processes: Weathering- Definition, types of weathering- physical weathering,

Chemical weathering, and Biological weathering. Soil forming processes: Eluviations, illuviation,

humification, calcification, laterization, podzolozation, salinization, alkalization and gleization.

Number of Hours:08

Module-4

Physical Properties of Soil and Their Management: Soil Profile, Soil structure-Definition- types and

Importance of soil structure. Soil texture, Soil air- Composition of soil air, management of soil air. Soil

temperature- influence of soil temperature on plant growth-factors influencing soil temperaturemanagement of soil temperature. Soil colour determination and importance.

Number of Hours:08

Module-5

Chemical Properties of Soil and Plant Nutrition: Ion exchange- Cation and anion exchange –factors

influencing ion exchange capacity of soils importance of ion exchange,

Soil organic matter: importance of organic matter, CN ratio of organic matter and its importance. Soil

fertility and soil productivity. Essential plant nutrients- N, P, K functions and deficiency symptoms in

plants. Classification of problematic soils- acid, saline, saline-sodic characteristics and their

reclamation.

Number of Hours:08

Suggested Learning Resources: 

Textbooks:

1. A Text book of Agronomy. Chandrasekaran, B.,Annadurai, K. and Somasundaram, E. New

Age International Publishers. 2010.

2. Introduction to Soil Science. Mahendra Sharma. Agrotech Publishing Academy. 2018.

3. Principles of Agronomy, Yellamanda Reddy, T. and Shankar Reddy, Kalyani Publishers,

2010.

4. Principles of Agronomy, S R Reddy, Kalyani Publishers, 2011.

5. Fundamentals of Soil Science. Indian Society of Soil Science, IARI. Jain publications New

Delhi, 1998.

Reference books / Manuals:

1. Meteorology. William, L.D. McGraw-Hill Book. Co. New York, 1965.

2. Crop Production in Dry Regions. Arnon, L. Leonard Hill Publishing Co., London, 1972.

3. Manures and Fertilizers, Yawalkar, K.S and Agarwal, J.P. Agricultural Horticultural

Publishing House, Nagpur, 1977.

4. Introduction to Soil Physics, Hillel, D. Academic Press, London, 1982.