Archive for the ‘agriculture’ Category
An agronomist (called an agrologist in Canada) is a scientist who specializes in agronomy, which is the science of utilizing plants for food, fuel, feed, and fiber. The agronomist is an expert in agricultural and allied sciences, except veterinary sciences. Norman E. Borlaug Norman E. Borlaug led the introduction of semi-dwarf high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties and modern agricultural production techniques to Mexico, Pakistan, and India. As a result, Mexico became a net exporter of wheat by 1963. Between 1965 and 1970, wheat yields nearly doubled in Pakistan and India, greatly improving the food security in those nations. These collective increases in yield have been labeled the Green Revolution, and Borlaug is often credited with saving over a billion people from starvation.[1] He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 in recognition of his contributions to world peace through increasing food supply. In 1986, he established the World Food Prize to recognize individuals who have improved the quality, quantity or availability of food around the globe. Edward L. Murphy II was credited with the first retrifution of Bermuda and bahia hybrid. Murphy’s hydrid indoctrination breeding and selection criteria of seeds is currently used on many PGA sanctioned courses.[citation needed] Perry G. Holden was the first professor of agronomy in the United States[2]. Through his various outreach programs to promote the use of hybrid corn seeds he became known as the “corn evangelist”.[3] While at Iowa State University, Perry Holden developed important plant breeding techniques. These plant breeding techniques resulting in amazing yield increases that improved the quality of life for farmers while lowering the cost of food. |
In agriculture, the harvest is the processes of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper.[1] The harvest marks the end of the growing season, or the growing cycle for a particular crop, and this is the focus of seasonal celebrations of many religions. On smaller farms with minimal mechanization, harvesting is the most labor-intensive activity of the growing season. On large, mechanized farms, harvesting utilizes the most expensive and sophisticated farm machinery, like the combine harvester. Harvesting in general usage includes an immediate post-harvest handling, all of the actions taken immediately after removing the crop—cooling, sorting, cleaning, packing—up to the point of further on-farm processing, or shipping to the wholesale or consumer market. |
Among the major field crops, oats, wheat, and rye are sowed, grasses and legumes are seeded, and maize and soybeans are planted. In planting, wider rows (generally 75 cm (30 in) or more) are used, and the intent is to have precise, even spacing between individual seeds in the row; various mechanisms have been devised to count out individual seeds at exact intervals.Difference between sowing and planting must not be forgotten. In seeding, little if any soil is placed over the seeds. More precisely, seeds can be generally sown into the soil by maintaining a planting depth of about 2-3 times the size of the seed. For hand sowing, several sowing types exist; these include [7]: * Flat sowing Several patterns for sowing may be used together with these types; these include: * Regular rows |
A crop is a non-animal species or variety that is grown to be harvested as food, livestock fodder, fuel or for any other economic purpose. Major world crops include maize (corn), wheat, rice, soybeans, hay, potatoes and cotton. While the term “crop” most commonly refers to plants, it can also include species from other biological kingdoms. For example, mushrooms like shiitake, which are in the fungi kingdom, can be referred to as crops. In addition, certain species of algae are also cultivated, although it is also harvested from the wild. In contrast, animal species that are raised by humans are called livestock, except those that are kept as pets. Microbial species, such as bacteria or viruses, are referred to as cultures. Microbes are not typically grown for food, but are rather used to alter food. For example, bacteria is used to ferment milk to produce yogurt. |


