Adoption of modified agronomic approaches for sustaining crop productivity

Abstract

Agronomy feeds the world as it is the applied science for management of natural resources to improve the production of crops for ensuring a sustained supply for the growing global population. Agronomists focus on efficient crop and soil management, nutrient, weed and water management as well as climate to develop suitable practices to boost yields and enhance food quality while protecting the natural resource base. An analysis shows that more than half of the total increase in foodgrain production in India during the Green revolution period (mid-1960s to mid-1970s) was attributed to efficient nutrient and water management. However, the productivity levels started stagnating or even declining during the 1990s owing to resource degradation and several other challenges including the climate change in the present times. There is now an urgent need to revise our strategies and adopt modified agronomic approaches for more efficient management of crop, soil, nutrient, weed, water and energy for sustaining crop productivity.