AGRICULTURE (Code No. 01)

SYLLABUS OF Agriculture (Code No. 01)


Agriculture, its importance in national economy; factors determining agroecological
zone and geographic distributions of crop plants.

Important crops of India, cultural practices for cereal, pulses, oilseed, fibre, sugar
and tuber crops and the scientific basis for their crop rotation; multiple and relay
cropping, intercropping, and mixed cropping.

Soil genesis, Soil as a 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 the soils; soil colloids; essential plant nutrients, their
functions, occurrence and cycling in soils. Problem soils and their reclamation. Principles
of soil fertility and its evaluation for judicious fertilizer use. Organic manures and biofertilizers;
straight, complex and mixed fertilizers, their manufacture and mode of action
in soil.

Principles of plant physiology with reference to plant nutrition, absorption,
translocation and metabolism of nutrients. Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies and their
amelioration. Photosynthesis and respiration, growth and development auxins and
hormones in plant growth.

Elements of Genetics and plant breeding as applied to improvement of crops;
development of plant hybrids and composites, important varieties, hybrids and
composites of major crops.

Important fruit and vegetable crops of India, the package of practices and their
scientific basis, crop rotations, intercropping, and companion crops, role of fruits and
vegetables in human nutrition; post harvest handling and processing of fruits and
vegetables.

Serious pests and diseases affecting major crops. Principles of pest control,
integrated control of pests and diseases; proper use and maintenance of plant protection
equipments.

Principles of economics as applied to agriculture.

Farm planning and resource management for optimum production.

Farming systems and their role in regional economies
Philosophy, objectives, scope and principles of extension. Extension organisation
at the State, District and Block levels-their structure, functions and responsibilities.

Methods of communication, role of Farm organisations in extension service.