3. Branches of Agriculture

 Branches of Agriculture

    Agriculture is a very vast field but here we discussed 19 major branches of agriculture that are used often. These are discussed below:

1. Agronomy
2. Horticulture
3. Plant Pathology
4. Plant breeding and genetics 
5. Entomology
6. Seed science
7. Crop physiology
8. Plant protection
9. Soil sciences 
10. Agriculture biotechnology
11. Agriculture Engineering
12. Agriculture Economics 
13. Forestry
14. Food science and technology
15. Land and water management
16. Agricultural Microbiology
17. Environmental Sciences 
18. Animal husbandry
19. Agricultural chemistry

 

 

Briefly, a discussion of each field is given below:

1. Agronomy: 

    The cultivation of crops for food, fiber, forage, and sugar production falls under the purview of this agricultural branch. Its main goal is to improve agricultural productivity and advance cropping methods, making it a crucial and fundamental aspect of agriculture. This field encompasses a diverse range of agricultural practices, which includes but is not limited to permaculture, aquaponics, and polyhouse farming.

Agronomy is further divided into 2 branches:

• Weed science:

    This discipline focuses on the growth and management of vegetation in diverse settings, such as agricultural areas, natural zones, and urban and critical regions.

• Organic farming:

   Organic farming is a technique for cultivating plants and raising animals in a natural and sustainable way. This practice prioritizes the use of biological materials, promotes soil fertility and ecological stability, minimizes waste, and reduces environmental pollution. Additionally, organic farming encompasses the study of microgreens, among other areas.

2. Horticulture:

    This agricultural branch pertains to the cultivation of plants that have direct use to humans, such as for food, medicine, and aesthetic purposes.

This branch also has the following subbranches:

• Pomology:

    The cultivation of fruits is the focus of pomology.

• Olericulture:

   while the cultivation of vegetables is known as olericulture. 

• Floriculture:

    Floriculture, on the other hand, pertains to the cultivation of roses and other ornamental plants. 

• Arboriculture:

  Horticulture is a branch of agriculture that deals with the selection, planting, care, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other perennial woody plants.

• Landscaping:

    Deals with the production, presentation, and care of landscapes and other flowers and plants. 

• Viticulture:

    The cultivation and retailing of grapes are known as viticulture. 

3. Plant Pathology:

  This agricultural branch focuses on the causes of diseases and instabilities in plants, as well as methods for treating plant diseases. It involves an in-depth examination of how plant pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, attack plants and the measures that can be taken to control their spread.

4. Plant Breeding and Genetics:

    This agricultural field involves the application of scientific and artistic techniques to modify the genetic structure and traits of plants, with the aim of achieving desired characteristics. By utilizing these techniques, it is possible to develop a wide range of crop varieties with improved resistance to pests and diseases, resulting in increased agricultural productivity.

5. Entomology:

  This field of agriculture pertains to the study of insects and other pests that significantly impact agricultural practices. It involves a detailed examination of the biological characteristics, behavior, and ecological interactions of various pests, as well as the measures that can be taken to manage their populations and mitigate their harmful effects on crops.

Further discussion of entomology is given below: 

• Insect Ecology:

    This area of agriculture focuses on exploring the relationship between insects and their surrounding environment. It involves in-depth research and analysis of various ecosystems to understand the existence, behavior, and ecological interactions of insects in their natural habitats. 

• Insect Morphology:

   This agricultural branch is concerned with the study of the external body parts of insects and their functions. It focuses on the anatomy and morphology of insects, particularly the structure and function of their outer body parts.

• Insect physiology: 

   This field of agriculture focuses on the study of the different physiological functions and behavioral systems of insects. It involves an in-depth analysis of the diverse behaviors exhibited by insects in their natural environment and how these behaviors are related to their physiological processes.

• Insect Toxicology: 

    This agricultural field pertains to the study of the effects of insecticides and other chemicals on the physiological functions of insects. It involves an in-depth examination of how these chemicals interact with the biological systems of insects, and the impact that these interactions have on their behavior and health.

• Insect Taxonomy: 

    Insect taxonomy is a practice of insect naming. 

• Biological Control Entomology: 

   This agricultural practice involves the use of living insects to control or eliminate populations of harmful insects. It is a highly effective technique with significant economic benefits.

• Forest Entomology: 

    This agricultural field pertains to the study of the effects of insects on forests and forest products, as well as the development of solutions to protect forest trees from significant damage. It involves an in-depth examination of the ecological interactions between insects and forest ecosystems and the impact that these interactions have on forest health and productivity.

• Forensic Entomology: 

    This branch of agriculture involves the study of insects for legal purposes, with a focus on the use of insects to determine the time and location of human death. It involves an in-depth examination of the ecological interactions between insects and decomposing human remains, and how this can be used to provide critical information for forensic investigations.

6. Seed science: 

    This agricultural branch is concerned with the study of the structure of seeds and their growth habitats, starting from fertilization, embryonic development, and subsequent growth into a mature plant. It is closely related to the fields of biotechnology and botany and involves an in-depth examination of the genetic and physiological mechanisms that regulate seed development and growth.

7. Crop Physiology: 

   This agricultural field pertains to the study of the functions and responses of plants to various environmental conditions, including factors such as temperature, water availability, nutrient levels, and atmospheric composition. It involves an in-depth examination of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms that regulate plant growth and development in different environmental contexts.

 

8. Plant Protection: 

      Plant protection refers to the various methods and techniques used to protect plants from pests, diseases, and other forms of damage, and to ensure their optimal growth and productivity. It includes a range of practices, such as the use of pesticides, biological controls, and cultural and mechanical techniques, as well as the development of disease-resistant plant varieties and the implementation of good agricultural practices to prevent plant stress and maintain plant health.

9. Soil sciences: 

    Soil science is a field of study that focuses on the properties, composition, and characteristics of soil, as well as the biological, physical, and chemical processes that occur within it. It involves an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on knowledge from fields such as geology, chemistry, biology, and physics to understand the formation, structure, and function of soils. Soil scientists examine the physical and chemical properties of soils, as well as their interactions with the atmosphere, water, and plants, and use this knowledge to develop sustainable practices for managing soil resources and maintaining soil health.

Sub-Branches of soil sciences are:

• Soil Biology:

    This branch of study concerns the organisms that inhabit the earth, their biology, functions, and activities. It includes a wide range of living organisms, such as nematodes, insects, and other types of fauna and flora. The focus of this field is to understand the relationships and interactions between organisms and their environment, including their roles in various ecosystems, their behaviors, and the impact of human activities on their populations.

• Soil Mineralogy: 

  This branch of study focuses on the various types of primary and secondary minerals found in soil and their contribution to the physical and chemical structure of the soil. It also includes the study of soil fertility and the various biological processes that occur within the soil, including nutrient cycling, microbial interactions, and the impact of human activities on soil health. 

• Soil Pedology: 

    Soil formation is the result of a complex process that involves the weathering of rocks and minerals, as well as various biological, chemical, and physical factors that influence the formation of soil. 

10. Agriculture biotechnology: 

  This branch of science involves the use of advanced scientific techniques and tools, such as genetic engineering, molecular markers, vaccines, and tissue culture, to manipulate the genetic material of living organisms for the purpose of improving or developing new organisms, such as crops and livestock.

11. Agriculture engineering: 

    It works with agriculture machinery for preparation, sowing, harvesting, and post-harvesting operations counting water and soil protection technologies and bioenergy.

This branch is further divided into 3 subs. branches which are given below: 

• Agricultural mechanization
• Farm power and machinery
• Farm structure

12. Agriculture economics:

    An applied economic field that studies human behavior concerning the relationship between food and fiber production and distribution.

13. Forestry:

    It is engaged in the extensive cultivation/farming of perennial plants for the supply of rubber, timber, etc. as well as industrial raw materials.

It has the following 6 branches: 

• Agroforestry
• Rangeland management
• Wildlife management
• Analog forestry
• Forest gardening
• Forest farming

14. Food science and technology:

    It uses a variety of approaches to study the composition of food, processing, packaging, and selection of existing food products.

Branches: 

• Food and nutrition

15. Land and water management:

    It is the process of management and expansion of land resources. Resources are mainly used for organic farming, water management, reforestation, and ecotourism projects.

Branches:

• Soil and water conservation
• Irrigation and drainage

16. Agriculture microbiology:

    This branch of microbiology deals with the study of microorganisms that are responsible for causing diseases in plants and animals. It also involves the study of soil microbiology, particularly the role of microorganisms in restoring soil fertility through processes such as microbial decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling in the soil.

17. Environmental Sciences:

    The field mixes biological, physical, and informational science in the study of the environment and solving ecological problems.

Branches: 

• Energy and environment
• Agro meteorology

18. Animal Husbandry:

    Branch of agriculture engaged in the agriculture exercise of breeding and rearing livestock to provide people with food, energy (drafts), and crop manure.

Branches: 

• Dairy farming
• Sericulture
• Fishery
• Mariculture
• Nematology
• Apiculture
• Poultry
• Nomadic pastoralism

19. Agriculture Chemistry:

    This branch of agriculture deals with the chemistry involved in agriculture, including organic and biochemistry, food processing, and the production of desired foods and beverages. It also involves the use of chemistry in environmental restoration.

References:

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8. Entomology and its Importance

 Definition:

They have a look at insects and their relationship to people, their surroundings, and other organisms.

Objectives:

The main goal of the department of agricultural entomology is to teach diverse guides related to insects and their position in agricultural structures. Also, it pursues to graduate college students, keep an inventory of major insect/vertebrate pests of crops and expand appropriate technologies for minimizing the manufacturing losses as a result of them. At gift, the department has focused its attempt to expand integrated pest management technology as follows:

I. To survey, surveillance, and taxonomical identification of primary agricultural insect pest and their predators, parasitoids, and parasites in each crop commodity.

Ii. To educate and develop appropriate techniques for IPM technologies.

Iii. To broaden technology based on bio-manage techniques to control insect pests and weeds.

Iv. To expand suitable technologies based on botanicals and natural merchandise to manipulate insect/ non-insect pests (mites, snails, slugs, and rodents).

V. To expand technologies to reduce the unsafe effect on human health and the environment brought about because of the injudicious use of artificial chemical insecticides.

Vi. To expand suitable mass-rearing technology for economically crucial bugs.

Vii. To develop appropriate technology for rodent control.

Scope of Entomology in Pakistan:

The scope of entomology in Pakistan may be very excessive. Pakistan is an agricultural us so entomologist works on exclusive bugs and pests to provide first-class seed and food.

Entomologists’ information on human sickness, viruses, agriculture, the evolution of diseases, ecology, and biodiversity. Entomology is split into distinct lessons and sub-classes for higher expertise and studies. This article will assist students to clean the scope of entomology in Pakistan, the career of entomology in Pakistan, personnel, authorities, semi-authorities, pesticides companies jobs after bs entomology, which Universities are imparting MSc Hons Entomology in Pakistan, entomology a good profession, entomologist job description, entomology activity income in Pakistan, entomologist degree necessities in Pakistan.

Role of insects in the environment:

    Insects play a treasured function in our Natural world. As an example:

• ·         Bees and a few species of flies pollinate most results and vegetables.
• ·         Many bugs are sources of food.
• ·         For birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, and spiders.
• ·         A few insects produce beneficial products including honey, wax, shellac, and silk.
• ·         A big wide variety are decomposers that help hold nutrient cycles inside the surroundings.
• ·         Different insects are taken into consideration as useful as predators and parasites.
• ·         With the aid of feeding upon insects or mites considered to be pests.

Even though enormously few types of bugs are pests, they may be the ones most customarily talked about. A few insects consisting of aphids, leafhoppers, and thrips spread plant diseases. Insects together with mosquitoes and midges may additionally unfold deadly or debilitating diseases to People, farm animals, and wildlife.

Insect Morphology:

Insects possess the following characteristics: 3 frame regions; three Pairs of legs; one pair of antennae; and None, one, or pairs of wings. Legs and other appendages are often significantly Changed by the healthy of the insect’s habits and environment.

Insect Body:

•     Head:

Head, thorax, and abdomen. The adult insect’s body is made of three elements (head, thorax, and stomach) and is supported through a hard frame wall, the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton has a flexible, pinnacle layer called the cuticle, which contains a layer of wax and helps to save you from desiccation. The exoskeleton of an immature insect isn't normally as hard as that of the adults, due to the fact the cuticle isn't always absolutely formed. The thorax, placed between the pinnacle and stomach, is made of 3 segments: the prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax. Every phase has one pair of legs. Further, the mesothorax and metathorax may also bear one pair of wings. A few insects, which include beetles and grasshoppers, have a thickened, protective pair of wings. The stomach contains numerous segments, each joined using a bendy membrane so it could amplify and contract to aid with respiratory. Some insects have tail-like appendages on the top of the stomach, called cerci.

• Legs:

An essential category characteristic of insects is the presence of three pairs of jointed legs. Nearly all person insects have legs, and a few immatures do now not have legs, but will as adults. An insect’s legs are adapted in line with how the insect lives and behaves. For an instance, if an insect hops a lot to keep away from predators, then the femur is greatly enlarged, as is the case with grasshoppers. Thus, legs range in length and shape because they may be used for walking, leaping, digging, grasping, feeling, swimming, conserving objects, constructing systems, and cleansing elements of the body. One crucial leg adaptation in larvae is prolegs. Prolegs, or false legs, are fleshy frame projections with rows of tiny hooks, helping the insect grasp to surfaces and plants. In addition, they provide additional support in locomotion.

• Wings:

 Venation, or arrangement of veins within the wings, is exclusive for each species of insect; for this reason, it serves as a means of identification. Many insect orders lead to “ptera,” which comes from the Greek phrase which means “wing.” 

For instance, the Hemiptera approach is “half-winged,” the Hymenoptera method is “membrane-winged,” and the Diptera manner is “two-winged.” maximum immature bugs do not have wings, however, some have wing pads that extend as the insect grows closer to maturity. One wing amendment of flies is the presence of halteres, which are small, knobbed systems that update the hind pair of wings and aid in stability.

• Antennae:

The antennae are an outstanding and one-of-a-kind characteristic of most bugs, and a pair is continually present on the adult’s head. Antennae are positioned between or in front of the eyes and are segmented structures that change greatly in shape and complexity. They may be frequently organs of odor but can serve different capabilities along with sensing humidity degrees, sound, flight airspeed, flavor, direction, and contact.

• Mouthparts:

The most notable and complex structural feature of bugs in the mouth. Much like insect legs, mouthparts range in shape and feature, primarily based on which and how an insect lives and what it feeds upon. Every form of mouth is made from several simple, commonplace structures, but a few may be significantly decreased whilst others are enlarged. Chewing mouthparts, which include mandibles and different components, work together to maintain/pinch, maneuver, chunk, and deliver chewed food to the mouth. An example of a chewinglapping mouthpart is the honeybee’s mouth, which is composed of mandibles and its extendable tongue. These components paint together to assist the bee chunk, mildew wax, suck up nectar, and regurgitate fluids to feed the young (brood), etc. Siphoning mouthparts is commonplace with butterflies and moths. No mandibles are gifts, handiest a protracted, bendy tube used to insert into flowers to extract nectar. Piercing-sucking mouthparts arise with genuine bugs, aphids, and mosquitoes. This kind of mouthpart is sharp at the tip and is inserted into plants or animals to withdraw vitamins.

In a few instances, insects of identical order will always have equal mouthparts for each lifestyle level, as with grasshoppers. Others will have one-of-a-kind mouthparts in extraordinary life degrees. As an example, the monarch caterpillar has chewing mouthparts, but the adult monarch butterfly has to siphon mouthparts. Some adult bugs have vestigial mouthparts and do no longer feed in any respect.

References:

https://entomology.osu.edu/about-us/what-entomology#:~:text=Entomology%20is%20the%20study%20of,ecosystems%2C%20and%20their%20effective%20management.

https://www.universityaspire.com/scope-of-entomology-in-pakistan/#:~:text=Entomology%20is%20the%20branch%20of,science%2C%20criminology%2C%20and%20forensics.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/ce/resources/ce-ec1588-introduction-to-entomology.pdf