Physical Science

Complete ICAR AIEEA PG Physical Science syllabus covering agricultural meteorology, soil science, agricultural chemistry, irrigation, organic farming and environmental science.

ICAR AIEEA PG Physical Science Syllabus

Sub-Subjects: Agricultural/Agro Meteorology, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Conservation and Water Management, Irrigation and Water Management, Agricultural Physics, Agricultural Chemicals, Organic Farming and Environmental Science.

 UNIT-I:

Importance of Agriculture in national perspective; basic principles of crop production, diversification, diversification of Agriculture, principle of nutrient and water management, package of practices for rice, wheat, sorghum, maize, chickpea, pigeon pea, potato, sugarcane, groundnut, major vegetable crops. Role of essential plant nutrients, their deficiency symptoms and management options. Structure and function of plant cells, cell division, basic concept of plant physiology relating to crop production—biochemical compounds viz., carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes, fats, liquid vitamins and their function, developmental programmes relating to rural upliftment and livelihood security; organisational set up of agricultural education research and extension and future strategies for upgradation.

UNIT-II:

Volumetric and gravimetric analysis including complexometric methods, periodic classification of elements, basic principle of instrumental analysis including spectro-photometry (absorption and emission spectrography), atomic structure—elementary concept of radioactivity, element and compound, common ion effect, solubility product—hydrolysis of salts, buffer solution, indicators, equivalent weights and standard solution.

Elementary concepts of organic compounds—nomenclature and classifications including hydrocarbons, alcohol, aldehydes, acids and esters, carbohydrates, fats and lipids, amino acids, nucleic acids. Pesticides, their classification and uses; biopesticides and botanical pesticides.

UNIT-III:

Soil as a medium for plant growth, composition of earth’s crust, weathering of rocks and minerals, components of soil—their importance, soil profile, soil particles—physical, mineralogical and chemical nature. Mechanical analysis, Stokes’ law, assumptions, limitations and applications. Soil physical properties—density, porosity, texture, soil structure and their brief descriptions. Rheological properties in soils, calculations of porosity and bulk density. Soil air—aeration, causes of poor aeration, factors affecting aeration, importance for plant growth. Soil temperature—sources and losses of soil heat, factors affecting soil temperature, its importance in plant growth. Soil water—structure of water, soil-water-energy relationship, classifications, surface tension and movement in soil. Soil colloids—properties, structure of silicate clay minerals, sources of negative charges, properties of kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite and vermiculite clay minerals, milliequivalent concept, cation exchange capacity, anion exchange capacity, buffering of soils. Problem soils—acid, saline, sodic and acid sulphate soils—their characteristics, formation, problems and management. Irrigation, water quality and its evaluation. Waterlogged soils—basic features, distinction with upland soils.

UNIT-IV:

Essential plant nutrients—criteria of essentiality, functions for plant growth, mechanisms for movement and uptake of ions in soils and plants, forms of nutrients in soils, deficiency symptoms on plants, luxury consumption, nutrient interactions and chelated micronutrients.

Soil fertility and productivity, factors affecting soil fertility and productivity, soil testing and fertilizer recommendation. Fertilizers—classification, composition and properties; methods of fertilizer application. Integrated nutrient management and nutrient use efficiency.

UNIT-V:

Weather and climate, elements and factors of weather and climate, atmosphere and its composition, solar radiation and its measurement, temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation and evaporation. Atmospheric pressure, clouds and weather systems. Weather forecasting and its importance in agriculture.

Agrometeorology—climate and crop production, agroclimatic zones of India, climatic requirements of crops, climate change and global warming, greenhouse effect and their impact on agriculture. Drought and flood, weather aberrations and contingency planning.

UNIT-VI:

Soil and water conservation—soil erosion, types, causes and control measures. Water erosion and wind erosion, watershed management, runoff and its measurement, rainwater harvesting, water conservation practices, land capability classification and land use planning.

Irrigation and water management—water resources, crop water requirement, evapotranspiration, irrigation scheduling, methods of irrigation, irrigation efficiencies, irrigation water quality and its management, drainage and reclamation of waterlogged soils.

UNIT-VII:

Environmental science—natural resources, ecosystem, biodiversity and its conservation, environmental pollution, air, water and soil pollution and their management. Environmental degradation, environmental impact assessment, sustainable development and environmental protection.

Organic farming—concept, principles and practices, organic manures, biofertilizers, biopesticides, composting, vermicomposting, integrated farming systems and sustainable agriculture.

UNIT-VIII:

Agricultural physics—basic concepts of mechanics, heat, light, sound and electricity in relation to agriculture. Soil physical environment, soil heat, soil water and energy relationships. Remote sensing, GIS and their applications in agriculture and natural resource management.