Textbook of Field Crops Production : Commercial Crops Vol. II

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Availability of high-yielding varieties/hybrids and increased irrigated facilities have resulted in the development of production intensive cropping systems in several parts of India, and this has catalyzed further agronomic research based on the cropping system approach. Many changes have also taken place in the crop-production technologies- the most important ones are development of export- oriented quality varieties of Basmati rice; introduction of Bt cotton, which now covers more than 90% cotton area; development of new science for rice and wheat in the rice wheat belt of the north India, and many more. And this necessitated the revision of the earlier publication entitled Textbook of Field Crops Production, brought out in 2002. The revised textbook is in two volumes: First covers Foodgrains; and the second is on the Commercial Crops. The discipline of Agronomy has evolved over years, and it is now both a science and a technology. It has no longer remained mere field trials without application of discoveries emanating from the related disciplines of Genetics, Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Plant Biochemistry, etc. Good agronomic practices need to judiciously inter-mix applications of soil and plant sciences to produce food, feed, fuel, fibre, and also, of late, nutraceuticals, while ensuring sustainability of the system in as much environment and eco-friendly manner as possible. The future Agronomy Landscape will face challenges of climate change, transboundary issues, TRIPS and other trade-related barriers, biotic and abiotic stresses, consequences of biotechnology and genetic engineering and increased market demands in terms of quality assurance, customized food crops, global competition, ecosystem services on land and social equities etc. The Agronomy must measure up to these futuristic challenges with well-defined metrics and methodologies for performance. The advent of hydroponics, precision farming, bio-sensors, fertigation, landscaping, application of ICT, GPS and GIS tools and micro-irrigation is in the horizon. The revised edition in two volumes covers fundamentals of the subject and at the same time will inspire and prepare teachers and students for the emerging frontiers