The Fundamentals of Agronomy: A Practical Manual has been meticulously prepared to provide undergraduate students of agricultural sciences with a comprehensive understanding of core agronomic principles through hands-on learning. It complements theoretical classroom teaching by offering well-structured practical exercises designed to build both technical competence and analytical skills. This manual encompasses all essential aspects of agronomy — from the identification of crops, fertilizers, herbicides, weeds, and tillage implements to important agronomic calculations related to plant population, seed rate, fertilizer requirement, irrigation, and herbicide application. Each exercise is presented with clear objectives, required materials, step-by-step procedures, and spaces for observation and remarks, ensuring systematic learning and record maintenance. In addition to field-based studies, the manual includes laboratory-oriented practices, such as the determination of bulk density and soil moisture content by the gravimetric method, which help students understand soil physical properties essential for crop management. Further, topics like crop rotation, cropping intensity, and composting techniques introduce learners to sustainable and resource-efficient farming approaches. Overall, this manual serves as a practical guide to the Fundamentals of Agronomy (as per the 6th Deans’ Committee), bridging the gap between theory and application. It aims to strengthen students’ capacity to make informed decisions in crop management, resource utilization, and sustainable agricultural practices, thereby laying a strong foundation for their future careers in agronomy and allied fields.
Dr. Shivani Ranjan, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India. She has published 20 research and review articles, 33 popular articles, and 20 book chapters. She is a lifetime member of the Indian Society of Weed Science and Indian Society of Agronomy. She has received awards for best poster presentation and best article. She has qualified ICAR-NET and UGC-NET and is a recipient of an UGC Fellowship. Her research interests pertain to conservation agriculture, carbon footprint management, integrated nutrient management, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy management in different cropping systems. She has completed her B.Sc. (Ag.) from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Pusa, Bihar; M.Sc. (Ag.) in Agronomy from Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar, India; and Ph.D. in Agronomy from RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar.
Dr. Vikram Bharati is working as an Associate Professor cum-Senior Scientist in the Department of Agronomy at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi (Muzaffarpur), Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. He obtained his Ph.D.degree from RPCAU,Pusa, Bihar. He has an experience of 18 years in teaching, research and extension. He has been honored with the Distinguished Scientist Award in 2021. Dr. Bharati has published 54 research papers in reputed national and international journals, authored 02 books, 16 book chapters, 06 extension/technical bulletins, 30 E-publications, 30 popular articles and has guided 10 M.Sc. students and 01 Ph.D. scholar in Agronomy at RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar, India.
Dr. Sunil Kumar is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Agronomy at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi (Muzaffarpur), Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Pusa, Bihar. He obtained his Ph.D. from RPCAU, Bihar, and has over 18 years of experience in teaching, research, and extension. Dr. Kumar has published 35 research papers in reputed national and international journals, authored 4 books, 2 practical manual, contributed 30 popular articles, and has guided 4 M.Sc. students in Agronomy at RPCAU, Bihar.
Dr. Harendra Singh is working as a Professor-cum-Chief Scientist in the Department of Agronomy at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi (Muzaffarpur), Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. He obtained his Ph.D. from RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar, and has over 38 years of experience in teaching, research, and extension. Dr. Singh has published 51 research papers in reputed national and international journals, authored 3 book chapters, contributed 40 popular articles, and has guided one Ph.D. student and 9 M.Sc. students in Agronomy at RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar.
1 Identification of Various Crops ..............................................................1
2 Identification of Different Fertilizers ......................................................7
3 Identification of Herbicides ...................................................................11
4 Identification of Different Weeds of Major Crops ................................15
5 Identification of Tillage Implements .....................................................23
6 Numericals on Plant Population, Seed Rate and Yield Estimation .......27
7 Numericals on Fertilizer Requirement ..................................................37
8 Identification of Laboratory Glasswares ...............................................49
9 Determination of Bulk Density .............................................................55
10 Determination of Soil Moisture Content by Gravimetric Method ........67
11 Irrigation ...............................................................................................77
12 Numerical on Herbicide Requirement ..................................................89
13 Crop Rotation and Cropping Intensity ................................................101
14 Composting and Its Types and Method of Preparation .......................111
