AGRICULTURE

Agriculture, its importance in national economy. Factors determining agroecological zones and geographic distribution of crop plants.
Importance of crop plants, cultural practices for cereal, pulses, oilseeds,
Fibre, sugar, tuber and fodder crops and scientific basis for these crop rotations, multiple and relay cropping, intercropping and mixed cropping.
Soil as medium of plant growth and its composition , mineral and organic constituents of the soil and their role in crop production chemical physical and microbiological properties of soil . Essential plant nutrients(macro and micro) – their functions, occurrence, cycling in soils . Principles of soil fertility and its evaluation for judicious fertilizer use. Organic manures and bio-fertilizers . inorganic fertilizers, nutrient management.
Principal of plant physiology with reference to plant nutrition , absorption, transaction and metabolism of nutrients.
Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies and their amelioration photosynthesis and respiration, growth and development auxins and hormones in plant growth.
Cell and cell organelles. Cell division .Reproductive cycle, Principles of genetics, gene-interaction , sex determination. Linkage and recombination , mutation , extra chromosomal inheritances polyploidy . Origin and domestication of crop plant . Genetic resources – conservation and utilization . Floral biology in relation to selfing and crossing.
Genetic basis of plant breeding pureline selection, mass selection , male sterility and incompatibility and their use in plant breeding . Pedigree selection , back –cross method of selection .Heterosis and its exploitation . Development of hybrids , composites and synthetic , important varieties, hybrids , composites and synthetic of major crops. Seeds and seed –production techniques.
Important fruits and vegetable crop of Indian , method of propagation – Sexual and asexual. Package and practices and their scientific basic . Crop rotation , intercropping , companion crops, role of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition , post harvest handling and processing of fruits and vegetables. Landscaping and ornamental horticulture , commercial flori-culture. Medicinal aromatic plants . Serious pests and diseases affecting major crop. Principles of control of crop pests and diseases, integrated management . Paper use and maintenance of plant protection of equipment .
Principles of economic as applied to agriculture. Farm planning and optimum resource-use efficiency and maximizing income and employment . Farm system and their spatial distribution their significant roles in regional economic development.