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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6. Plant Pathology and its importance

 Plant Pathology:

Plant pathology has advanced from antiquity, beginning with Theophrastus withinside the historic era, however medical have a look at commenced withinside the Early modern duration with the discovery of the microscope and advanced withinside the nineteenth century.

The medical look at illnesses in plants brought on through pathogens (infectious organisms) and environmental conditions (physiological factors). Organisms that reason infectious ailments include fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, viroids, virus-like organisms, phytoplasmas, protozoa, nematodes, and parasitic plants. Not protected are ectoparasites like insects, mites, vertebrates, or other pests that have an effect on plant health by eating plant tissues. Plant pathology additionally includes the look at pathogen identification, ailment etiology, ailment cycles, financial impact, plant ailment epidemiology, plant ailment resistance, how to plant illnesses have an effect on people and animals, pathosystem genetics, and control of plant illnesses.

https://youtu.be/zywUM4M6Uhc

The technological know-how of analyzing plant illnesses renders ailment-control solutions to the farmers. It ameliorates the ailment-control procedures to reap meals protection and meals protection for the world. Phytopathogens, with their speedy dispersibility and adaptiveness in variable domains, conquer all of the lively assets of ailment control. The practices of monoculture and in-depth inputs of agrochemicals function as the choice pressures for the pathogen’s variation and evolution. Therefore with the knowledge of the dynamic nature of the plant illnesses, the outsmart control technique should be in step with the environmental acceptability and occasions winning withinside the agriculture area and markets. The procedures of sustainable intensification with current technical improvements presented new possibilities withinside the shape of an incorporated systems-primarily based total standpoint for ailment control. They unleash the molecular premises of plant immunity with the aid of using coming across a few novel insights into the host–pathogen interactions. For the destiny factors of plant pathology, greater incorporated control techniques are had to boom the resilience of the vegetation against phytopathogens.

Fungi: 

Most phytopathogenic fungi belong to the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually through the manufacturing of spores and different structures. Spores can unfold lengthy distances with the aid of using air or water, or they will be soilborne. Many soil-inhabiting fungi can dwell saprotrophically, wearing out part of their existence cycle in the soil. These are facultative saprotrophs. Fungal sicknesses can be managed thru the use of fungicides and different agricultural practices. However, new races of fungi often evolve which might be proof against diverse fungicides. Biotrophic fungal pathogens colonize dwelling plant tissue and gain vitamins from dwelling host cells. Necrotrophic fungal pathogens infect and kill host tissue and extract vitamins from the useless host cells. Significant fungal plant pathogens include: 

Ascomycetes:

• Fusarium spp. (Fusarium wilt disease)
• Thielaviopsis spp. (canker rot, black root rot, Thielaviopsis root rot)
• Verticillium spp.
• Magnaporthe grisea (rice blast)
• Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (cottony rot)

Basidiomycetes:

• Ustilago spp. (smuts) smut of barley
• Rhizoctonia spp.
• Phakospora pachyrhizi (soybean rust)
• Puccinia spp. (severe rusts of cereals and grasses)
• Armillaria spp. (honey fungus species, virulent pathogens of trees)

Fungus-like organisms:

Oomycetes:

    The oomycetes are fungus-like organisms. They encompass a number of the maximum unfavorable plant pathogens consisting of the genus Phytophthora, which incorporates the causal retailers of potato past due blight and surprising oak death. Particular species of oomycetes are accountable for root rot.

Despite now no longer being carefully associated with the fungi, the oomycetes have advanced comparable contamination strategies. Oomycetes can use effector proteins to show off a plant's defenses in its contamination process. Plant pathologists usually institution them with fungal pathogens.

Significant oomycete plant pathogens include:

• Pythium spp.
• Phytophthora spp., including the potato blight of the Great Irish Famine (1845–1849)

Phytomyxea:

Some slime molds in Phytomyxea purpose vital diseases, including membership root in cabbage and its family and powdery scab in potatoes. These are a result of species of Plasmodiophora and Spongospora, respectively.

Bacteria:

Most microorganisms which can be related to vegetation are actually saprotrophic and do no damage to the plant itself. However, a small number, around one hundred acknowledged species, are capable of motive disease. Bacterial sicknesses are an awful lot greater frequent in subtropical and tropical areas of the world.

Most plant pathogenic microorganisms are rod-shaped (bacilli). In order, if you want to colonize the plant they've unique pathogenicity elements. The five most important styles of bacterial pathogenicity elements are acknowledged: make use of a molecular wall–degrading enzymes, toxins, effector proteins, phytohormones, and exopolysaccharides.

    Pathogens such as Erwinia species use mobileular wall–degrading enzymes to motivate gentle rot. Agrobacterium species alternate the extent of auxins to motive tumors with phytohormones. Exopolysaccharides are produced through microorganisms and block xylem vessels, frequently main to the demise of the plant.

Viruses:

There are many kinds of plant viruses, and a few are asymptomatic or latent. Under ordinary circumstances, plant viruses purpose handiest a loss of crop yield. Therefore, it isn't always economically feasible to attempt to manipulate them, the exception being once they infect perennial species, consisting of fruit trees.

Most plant viruses have small, unmarried-stranded RNA genomes. However, a few plant viruses additionally have double-stranded RNA or unmarried or double-stranded DNA genomes. These genomes might also encode the handiest 3 or four proteins: a replica, a coat protein, a motion protein, that allows you to permit mobileular to mobileular motion through plasmodesmata, and from time to time a protein that lets in transmission with the aid of using a vector. Plant viruses may have numerous greater proteins and rent many unique molecular translation methods.

Plant viruses are normally transmitted from plant to plant with the aid of using a vector, however mechanical and seed transmission additionally occurs. Vector transmission is regularly with the aid of using an insect (for instance, aphids), however, a few fungi, nematodes, and protozoa were proven to be viral vectors. In many cases, the insect and virus are particular for virus transmission consisting of the beet leafhopper that transmits the curly pinnacle virus inflicting sickness in numerous crop plants. One instance is the mosaic sickness of tobacco wherein leaves are dwarfed and the chlorophyll of the leaves is destroyed. Another instance is the Bunchy pinnacle of the banana, wherein the plant is dwarfed, and the higher leaves shape a good rosette.

Nematodes:

Nematodes are tiny, multicellular, wormlike animals. Many stay freely withinside the soil, however, there are a few species that parasitize plant roots. They are a hassle in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, in which they'll infect crops. Potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis) are broadly allotted in Europe and North and South America and reason $three hundred million really well worth of harm in Europe each year. Root-knot nematodes have pretty a huge host range, they parasitize plant root structures and as a result without delay have an effect on the uptake of water and vitamins wished for ordinary plant boom and reproduction, while cyst nematodes have a tendency to infect only some species. 

Protozoa and algae:

There are some examples of plant sicknesses brought on by protozoa (e.g., Phytomonas, a kinetoplastid). They are transmitted as durable zoospores capable of living to tell the tale in a resting nation within the soil for many years. Further, they can transmit plant viruses. When the motile zoospores come into touch with a root hair they produce a plasmodium which invades the roots. Some colorless parasitic algae (e.g., Cephaleuros) additionally reason plant sicknesses.

Parasitic plants:

Parasitic plant life such as broomrape, mistletoe, and dodder are protected withinside the look at phytopathology. Dodder, for example, maybe a conduit for the transmission of viruses or virus-like retailers from a bunch plant to a plant that isn't commonly a bunch, or for an agent that isn't graft-transmissible.

Importance:

• Plant Pathology has superior techniques to defend vegetation from losses because of diseases.
• The technological know-how of plant pathology has contributed to ailment-unfastened licensed seed production.
• Most of the sicknesses with regarded ailment cycle can now be averted via the change of cultural practices.
• With the knowledge of the mode of sickness spread, many diseases of financial importance can now be checked, minimized, or managed.
• Crop development and varietal resistance had been performed towards many sicknesses thru the joint attempt of breeder and plant pathologist.

https://youtu.be/Iy0I5PrhVTc

References:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/plant-pathology#:~:text=Plant%20pathology%20investigates%20the%20biotic,losses%20and%20improve%20food%20security.

https://www.kopykitab.com/blog/plant-pathology/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_pathology

https://www.britannica.com/science/plant-disease