Introduction to Major Field Crops
Course Overview
Official detailed syllabus from the ICAR Sixth Deans’ Committee curriculum.
Course Objectives
i. To provide in-depth understanding about crop response to variable agronomic factors ii. To inculcate the skill of raising field crops with appropriate agronomic practices for higher productivity
Theory Syllabus
Classification and distribution of field crops, definition, concept and principles of multiple cropping, mixed cropping, intercropping, relay and alley cropping, crop rotation. Economic importance, soil and climatic requirement, varieties, cultural practices for raising major cereals (rice, wheat, maize), pulses (gram, soybean, arhar moong), oilseeds (rapeseed and mustard, sunflower, groundnut), cash crops (cotton, sugarcane) and fodder crops (sorghum, bajra, berseem, oats). Principles and practices of green manuring.
Practical Syllabus
Identification of crop plants, seeds, weeds. Preparation of cropping scheme. Method of sowing, fertilizer and herbicide application in field crops. Calculation of fertilizer and herbicide dose.
Suggested Readings
1. Anonymous. 2023. Package of Practices for Kharif Crops.
2. Anonymous. 2023 Package of Practices for Rabi Crops.
3. Reddy T Y and Reddy G H S. 2020. Principles of Agronomy. Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana.
4. Singh Chidda. 2020. Modern Techniques of Raising Field Crops. Oxford and IBH Publication.