the science of soil management and crop production.

the Greek words "agros" (meaning "field") and "nomos" (meaning "management")

Founders/Fathers
●​ Agronomy: Pietro de' Crescenzi
●​ Tillage / Modern Tillage: Jethro Tull
●​ Zero Tillage: G.B. Triplett
●​ Natural Farming: Masanobu Fukuoka
●​ Zero Budget Natural Farming: Subhash Palekar
●​ Organic Farming: Albert Howard

➢​Classification of Crops Based on Life Cycle

●​ Annual Crops: Complete their life cycle (from seed germination to seed production
and death) within one growing season or year.
○​ Examples: Wheat, Rice, Maize, Mustard, most vegetables (e.g., Tomato,
Potato).
●​ Biennial Crops: Require two growing seasons to complete their life cycle.
○​ First Season: Vegetative growth (roots, stem, leaves) and storage of food.
○​ Second Season: Flowering, seed production, and death.
○​ Examples: Carrot, Radish, Cabbage, Beetroot, Onion.
●​ Perennial Crops: Live for more than two years. They produce flowers and seeds
annually once they reach maturity.
○​ Examples: Sugarcane, Alfalfa, most fruit trees (e.g., Mango, Apple),
plantation crops (e.g., Tea, Coffee).

➢​Classification of Crops Based on Season

●​ Kharif Crops
○​ Sowing Period: June - July (Onset of Monsoon)
○​ Harvesting Period: September - October
○​ Key Crops: Rice (Paddy), Maize, Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet),
Cotton, Jute, Groundnut, Soybean, Pulses (e.g., Arhar/Tur/Pigeon Pea)
○​ Other Names/Characteristics: Also known as Monsoon Crops. Require high
temperature and high humidity.
●​ Rabi Crops
○​ Sowing Period: October - December (Beginning of Winter)
 ○​ Harvesting Period: March - April (Beginning of Summer)
○​ Key Crops: Wheat, Barley, Oats, Gram (Chickpea), Mustard, Linseed,
Potato, Pulses (e.g., Masoor/Lentil)
○​ Other Names/Characteristics: Also known as Winter Crops. Require a mild
climate for growth and dry, warm weather for harvest.
●​ Zaid Crops
○​ Sowing Period: March - June (In between Rabi and Kharif)
○​ Harvesting Period: May - July
○​ Key Crops: Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Gourd, Fodder
crops
○​ Other Names/Characteristics: Short duration crops grown mainly in
summer, especially in irrigated areas.

➢​Classification of Crops Based on Economic Use

Crop Category Description Examples

Cereal/Grain Crops Grown for their edible grain Rice, Wheat, Maize, Millets
(fruit). Rich in (Sorghum, Bajra, Ragi, etc.)
carbohydrates.

Pulse/Legume Crops Grown for their edible seeds Gram (Chickpea), Arhar
(pulses) from the (Pigeon Pea), Moong
leguminous pod. Rich in (Green Gram), Urad (Black
proteins. Gram), Lentil (Masoor),
Soybean, Groundnut.

Oilseed Crops Grown for extracting edible Groundnut, Mustard,

or non-edible oil from their Soybean, Sunflower,
seeds. Linseed, Castor, Sesame.

Fibre Crops Grown for extracting fibre Cotton, Jute, Mesta,

from the stem or seed Sunhemp.
capsule.

Sugar Crops Grown for extracting sugar Sugarcane, Sugar Beet.

from the stem or root.

Fodder/Forage Crops Grown primarily to feed Berseem, Lucerne (Alfalfa),

livestock (cattle, sheep, Oat, Jowar (Sorghum),
etc.). Bajra (Pearl Millet).

Tuber Crops Grown for their modified, Potato, Sweet Potato,

fleshy, underground stem or Tapioca.
root.
 Spice Crops Grown for their aromatic Turmeric, Ginger, Coriander,
parts (seed, fruit, bark, root, Chilli, Cardamom.
etc.) used for flavouring
food.

Medicinal Crops Grown for their therapeutic Isabgol, Ashwagandha,

properties. Mint, Basil.

Millet Crops (Coarse Grains)

Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world
as cereal crops or grains for human food and fodder. They are known for their high
nutritional value, especially their content of dietary fibre, protein, and essential minerals.

Major Millets
Common Name Botanical Name Other Names/Characteristics

Sorghum Sorghum bicolor Jowar, Great Millet. A major

Kharif crop used for both grain
and fodder.

Pearl Millet Pennisetum glaucum Bajra, Spiked Millet. Known for its
drought resistance.

Finger Millet Eleusine coracana Ragi, African Millet. Extremely

rich in calcium.

Minor Millets
Common Name Botanical Name Other Names/Characteristics

Foxtail Millet Setaria italica Kangni

Kodo Millet Paspalum scrobiculatum Kodo

Proso Millet Panicum miliaceum Cheena, Common Millet

Barnyard Millet Echinochloa frumentacea Sanwa

Little Millet Panicum sumatrense Kutki

Significance of Millets
●​ Drought Tolerance: Highly resilient crops, able to grow in arid and semi-arid regions
with minimal water.
 ●​ Nutritional Powerhouse: Often referred to as 'Nutri-Cereals' due to their superior
nutritional profile compared to major cereals like Rice and Wheat.
●​ Health Benefits: Gluten-free, low glycemic index (beneficial for diabetics), and rich
in antioxidants.
●​ Climate Resilience: Contribute to sustainable agriculture in changing climate
scenarios.

Classification of Crops Based on Photoperiod

Photoperiodism is the developmental responses of plants to the relative lengths of light and
dark periods (photoperiod). This primarily influences the time of flowering.

Crop Category Description Examples

Short-Day Plants (SDP) Require a relatively long dark Rice, Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra
period (short day length) to (Pearl Millet), Maize, Cotton,
flower. They flower when the day Soybean, Tobacco. (Most Kharif
length is shorter than a critical crops are SDPs)
photoperiod.

Long-Day Plants (LDP) Require a relatively short dark Wheat, Barley, Oats, Gram
period (long day length) to flower. (Chickpea), Mustard, Potato,
They flower when the day length Sugar beet, Pea. (Most Rabi
is longer than a critical crops are LDPs)
photoperiod.

Day-Neutral Plants (DNP) Flowering is not affected by the Tomato, Sunflower, Cucumber,
duration of the light or dark Buckwheat.
period. They flower after a certain
period of vegetative growth,
regardless of day length.