Agronomy deals with all aspects of soil, water and crop management to increase the productivity in space and time and has made it possible to generate appropriate technologies for varied agro-climatic situations. It is, therefore, essential that students of agriculture have a good grasp of the subject. Textbooks on basic and applied aspects of agronomy as per the new syllabus recommended by 4th Dean’s Committee of ICAR are lacking. This Textbook on “Agronomy : Basic and Applied” by Dr. Gajendra Singh Tomar, Associate Professor (Agronomy), I.G. Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.) is a timely and welcome contribution to fill up this gap. The book is divided into fifteen chapters and covers comprehensively the content of all courses in Agronomy. The author has vast experience in teaching, research and extension activities of agronomy and has presented the subject matter meticulously. This book would prove to very useful for UG and PG students of different SAU’s to understand the principles and modern concepts in Agronomy.
Dr. Gajendra Singh Tomar was born on February 2,1961 in the village Konther Khurd, Morena (M.P). He obtained B.Sc.(Ag) and M.Sc.(Ag) degrees in 1982 and 1984 respectively from J.N.K.V.V.,Jabalpur(M.P.) with first division. He had completed the advance Ph.D.courses from J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur and obtained Ph.D. degree (Agronomy) from IGKV, Raipur (C.G.) with distinction. Joined the services of I.G.K.V., Raipur in 1989 as Junior Scientist and presently working as senior Associate Professor, in the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.). Author is actively involved in teaching courses on Principles of Agronomy, Rainfed Agriculture, Water management and Crop production to under graduates, post graduates and Ph.D. students and guided 14 M. Sc. and three Ph.D. students for their thesis research work. Worked as Principal Investigator in AICRP on Soybean and Forage crops and developed the production technology of soybean and fodder crops. He had developed the package of practices for Sorghum, Berseem, Lucerne, Sudan grass for the region and perfected the year round fodder production technologies. Author had attended 12 specialized summer/ winter school training programme of ICAR and presented 25 research papers in Seminar/Symposium and workshops. Author is actively involved in the extension activities of the Vishwavidyalaya. For the first time in India; he had brought out innovative Krishi Yug Panchang in 2001 and published it up to 2007. He was the editor of Krishi Diary, Krishi Smarika, Chhattisgarh Kheti, quarterly. Author has in his credit 25 research papers published in National/International journals and written/edited more than 54 Book/manuals/bulletins, published by IGKV, Raipur. He had also published 69 technical articles in national/regional periodicals. Author has launched and implemented the Agri-clinics & Agri-business Centers Scheme of GOI in Chhattisgarh and trained 120 Agri-graduates. He was also involved in various State/Regional Training programmes of Extension Workers/Farmers and took part in Krishi Darshan programme of Doordarshan and ETV. Organized showcases in International Trade Fair, New Delhi, Krishi-Expo-2004 at New Delhi, Western Region Krishi Mela at Raipur. State level Krishi Mela & Pradarshini organized by IGKV and Chhattisgarh Rajyotasava. Author is also an active Life Member of five professional scientific societies.
