M. Sc. Physical Science

Agriculture Meteorology

1. Fundamentals of Meteorology
2. Fundamentals of Agricultural Meteorology
3. Crop-weather Relationships
4. Agro-meteorological Measurements and Instrumentation
5. Crop Micrometeorology
6. Evapotranspiration and Soil Water Balance
7. Crop weather models
8. Applied Agricultural Climatology
9. Weather forecasting
10. RS and GIS Applications in Agricultural Meteorology
11. Strategic use of climatic information
12. Weather and climate risk management
13. Aerobiometeorology

Agronomy

1. Modern Concepts in Crop Production
2. Principles and practices of soil fertility and nutrient management
3. Principles and Practices of Weed Management
4. Principles and Practices of Water Management
5. Conservation Agriculture
6. Agronomy of major Cereals and Pulses
7. Agronomy of oilseed, fibre and sugar crops
8. Agronomy of medicinal, aromatic & underutilized crops
9. Agronomy of fodder and forage crops
10. Agrostology and Agro- Forestry 
11. Cropping System and Sustainable Agriculture
12. Dryland Farming and Watershed Management
13. Principles and practices of organic farming

Soil Science

1. Soil physics
2. Soil fertility and fertilizer use
3. Soil chemistry
4. Soil mineralogy, genesis and classification
5. Soil erosion and conservation
6. Soil Biology and Biochemistry
7. Radioisotopes in soil and plant studies
8. Soil, water and air pollution
9. Remote sensing and GIS technique for soil and crop studies
10. Analytical technique and instrumental methods in soil and plant analysis
11. Management of problematic soils and water
12. Land degradation and restoration
13. Soil Survey and Land use Planning
14. Introduction to nanotechnology

Agricultural Physics

1. Basic Concepts of Agricultural Physics
2. Basic Concepts of Agricultural Physics
3. Fundamentals of Soil Physics
4. Mathematics in Agriculture
5. Fundamentals of Meteorology
6. Principles of Biophysics
7. Principles of Remote Sensing
8. Physics of Soil and Water Conservation
9. General Climatology
10. Soil Physical Environment and Plant growth
11. Simulation of Soil, Plant and Atmospheric Processes
12. Principles of Physical techniques in agriculture
13. Principles and Applications of GIS and GPS
14. Nanoscience and Technology for Agriculture
15. Remote Sensing in Agriculture

Organic Farming

1. Concepts and Principles of organic farming
2. Soil fertility, Crop Nutrition and Nutrients input
3. Organic Crop Production Systems
4. Plant Health Management
5. Post harvest handling of organic produce
6. Farming systems suitable for organic managements
7. Organic certification Standards and regulation
8. Value Chain Management
9. Marketing
10. Research Methodology and Biostatistics
11. Organic Input Management and Production Technologies

Agriculture Meteorology

1. Fundamentals of Meteorology

Content:  Solar radiation and laws of radiation; greenhouse effect, albedo, and heat balance of the earth and atmosphere; variation in pressure and temperature with height, potential temperature, pressure gradient, cyclonic and anti cyclonic motions; geostropic and gradient winds; equations of motion; general circulation, turbulence, vorticity, atmospheric waves. Gas laws, laws of thermodynamics and their application to atmosphere; water vapour in the atmosphere, various humidity parameters and their interrelationships; vapour pressure, psychrometric equation, saturation deficit, Lapse rates-ascent of dry and moist air, stability and instability conditions in the atmosphere. Agromet observatory and analysis of weather data; Condensation; clouds and their classification; evaporation and rainfall; the hydrological cycle; precipitation processes, artificial rainmaking, thunderstorms and dust storm; haze, mist, fog, and dew; air masses and fronts; tropical and extra-tropical cyclones. Effect of Earth’s rotation on zonal distribution of radiation, rainfall, temperature, and wind; the trade winds, equatorial trough and its movement; Monsoon and its origin; Indian monsoon and its seasonal aspects: Onset, advancement and retreat of monsoon in different parts of India, Walker and Hadley cell, El Nino, La Nina, Southern Oscillation Index and their impact on monsoon.

Practical: Agromet observatory- different classes of observatories (A, B, C); Site selection and installation procedures for meteorological instruments; Measurement of weather parameters.; Reading and recording, calculation of daily, weekly, monthly means.; Totals of weather data.; Weather chart preparation and identification of low pressure systems and ridges.; Statistical technique for computation of climatic normals, moving average, etc.

1. Fundamentals of Agricultural Meteorology

Content: Meaning and scope of agricultural meteorology; components of agricultural meteorology; role and responsibilities of agricultural meteorologists. Importance of meteorological parameters in agriculture; efficiency of solar energy conversion into dry matter production; meteorological factors in photosynthesis, respiration and net assimilation; basic principles of water balance in ecosystems; soil-water balance models and water production functions. Crop weather calendars; weather forecasts for agriculture at short, medium and long range levels; agromet advisories, preparation, dissemination and economic impact analysis; use of satellite imageries in weather forecasting; synoptic charts and synoptic approach to weather forecasting. Concept, definition, types of drought and their causes; prediction of drought; crop water stress index, crop stress detection; air pollution and its influence on vegetation, meteorological aspects of forest fires and their control. Climatic change, green house effect, CO2 increase, global warming and their impact on agriculture; climate classification, agro-climatic zones and agro-ecological regions of India.

Practical: Preparation of crop weather calendars; Development of simple regression models for weather, pest and disease relation in different crops.; Preparation of weather based agro-advisories; Use of automated weather station (AWS).

1. Crop-weather Relationships

Content: Understanding the influence of weather elements on crop growth, impact of climatic variability and extremes on crop production, climatic normals for crop production. Climatic requirements of major crops, temperature effect on crop growth, radiation impact and radiation utlilization efficiency, humidity effect on crop performance, effect of soil temperature on seed germination and root growth, wind variation and crop growth. Meteorological indices to predict crop production, Interpretation of weather forecasts for various agricultural operations towards improved productivity, crop-weather relationship in dryland areas. Crop weather relationship of major horticultural crops of the region and agroforestry system. Rhizosphere and microorganisms in relation to weather, fertilizer and water use efficiency in relation to weather.

1. Agro-meteorological Measurements and Instrumentation

Content: Fundamentals of measurement techniques; theory and working principles of barometer, thermometer, psychrometer, hair hygrometer, thermohygrograph; exposure and operation of meteorological instruments/ equipments in agromet observatories. Radiation and temperature measuring instruments: working principles of albedometer, photometer, spectro-radiometer, sunshine recorder, dew recorder, quantum radiation sensors, pressure bomb apparatus, thermographs, and infra-red thermometer. Precipitation and dew instruments: working principles of rain gauge, self recording rain gauge, Duvdevani dew gauges. Wind instruments: working principles of anemometer, wind vane, anemograph. Evapotranspiration and photosynthesis instruments: working principles of lysimeters, open pan evaporimeters, porometer, photosynthesis system, leaf area meter. Boundary layer fluxes, Flux tower, soil heat flux plates, instruments to measure soil moisture and soil temperature. Automatic weather station – data logger and sensors, nano-sensors for measurement of weather variables; computation and interpretation of data.

Practical: Working with the above instruments in the meteorological observatory, fields and laboratory, Recording observations of relevant parameters; Computation and interpretation of the data; Analysis of AWS data.

1. Crop Micrometeorology

Content: Properties of atmosphere near the Earth’s surface; exchange of mass momentum and energy between surface and overlaying atmosphere, exchange coefficient, similarity hypothesis, shearing stress, forced and free convection. Molecular and eddy transport of heat, water vapour and momentum, frictional effects, eddy diffusion, mixing; zero plane displacement, temperature instability, eddy covariance technique, microclimate near the bare ground, unstable and inversion layers, variation in microclimate under irrigated and rainfed conditions, soil moisture and temperature variation with depth; Richardson number, Raymonds analogy, Exchange coefficients. Micrometeorology of plant canopies; distribution of temperature, humidity, vapour pressure, wind and carbon dioxide; modification of microclimate due to cultural practices, intercropping; radiation distribution and utilization by plant communities, leaf temperature and its biological effects; influence of topography on microclimate; shelter belts and wind breaks, microclimate in low plant area of meadows and grain fields, microclimate within forests, glass house and plastic house climates; instruments and measuring techniques in micrometeorology. Effects of ambient weather conditions on growth, development and yield of crops; measurement of global and diffuse radiation; measurement of albedo over natural surfaces and cropped surfaces; net radiation measurement at different levels; PAR distribution in plant canopies and interception; wind, temperature and humidity profiles in (a) short crops and (b) tall crops; energy balance over crops and LAI and biomass estimation; remote sensing and its application in relation to micrometeorology.

Practical: Micrometerological measurements in crop canopies; Quantification of crop microclimate; Determination of ET and its computation by different methods

1. Evapotranspiration and Soil Water Balance

Content: Energy concept of soil water, hydraulic conductivity and soil water flux; theory on hydraulic conductivity in saturated and unsaturated soils; physical factors concerning water movement in soil; concepts on evaporation, evapotranspiration, potential and actual evapotranspiration. Theories of evapotranspiration and their comparison; aerodynamic, eddy correlation, energy balance, water balance and other methods, their application under different agroclimatic conditions; concepts of potential, reference and actual evapotranspiration - modified techniques. Influence of microclimatic and cultural factors on soil water balance; techniques of lysimetry in measuring actual evapotranspiration. water use efficiency and scheduling of irrigation based on evapotranspiration; water use efficiency and antitranspirants, computation of Kc values and their use; irrigation scheduling based on climatological approaches. Yield functions; water use efficiency and scheduling of irrigation based on evapotranspiration; dry matter yield ET functions; radiation instruments; advanced techniques for measurement of radiation and energy balance; estimation of evapotranspiration through remote sensing.

 

Practical: Measurement of various components of soil water balance; Evaluation of hydraulic conductivity vs. soil moisture relationship by water balance approach; Computation and comparison of evapotranspiration by different methods - energy balance method, aerodynamic method, Penman method, remote sensing and other methods; Soil moisture retention characteristics by pressure plate method.

1. Crop Weather Models

Content: Principles of crop production; effect of weather elements on crop responses; impact of natural and induced variability of climate on crop production. Introduction and application to crop modeling, types of models, Empirical and statistical crop weather models their application with examples; concept of crop growth model in relation to weather, soil, plant and other environmental related parameters and remote sensing inputs; growth and yield prediction models; Dynamic crop simulation models, e.g. DSSAT, InfoCrop, APSIM, CropSyst, etc.; optimization, calibration and validation of models. Weather data and physiologybased approaches to modeling of crop growth and yield; forecasting of pests and diseases; stochastic models; advantages and limitation of modeling.

 

Practical: Working with statistical and simulation models, DSSAT models, InfoCrop, Oryza, etc.

1. Applied Agricultural Climatology

Content: Climatic statistics: measures of central tendency and variability, skewness, kurtosis, homogeneity, correlation, regression and moving averages; probability analysis using normal, binomial, Markov-chain and incomplete gamma distribution; parametric and non parametric tests; assessment of frequency of disastrous events. Precipitation indices; Climatic water budget: potential and actual evapotranspiration and their computation; measurement of precipitation, calculation of water surplus and deficit; computation of daily and monthly water budget and their applications; assessment of dry and wet spells, available soil moisture, moisture adequacy index and their applications. Thermal indices and phenology: cardinal temperatures; heat unit and growing degree day concepts for crop phenology, crop growth and development; insect-pest development; crop weather calendars; agroclimatic requirement of crops. Bioclimatic concepts: evaluation of human comfort, comfort indices (temperature, humidity index and wind chill) and clothing insulation; climate, housing and site orientation; climatic normals for animal production.

 

Practical: Use of statistical approaches in data analysis; Preparation of climatic water budget; Estimation of agro-meteorological variables using historical records; Degree day concept and phenology forecasting and preparation of crop calendar; Evaluation of radiation, wind and shading effects in site selection and orientation; Study of weather-pest and disease interactions, calculation of continentality factors; calculation of comfort indices and preparation of climograph

1. Weather Forecasting

Content: Weather forecasting system: definition, scope and importance; types of forecasting: short, medium and long-range; study of synoptic charts with special reference to location of highs and lows, jet streams, synoptic features and weather anomalies and zones of thermal advection and interpretation of satellite pictures of clouds in visible and infra-red range; weather forecasting network. Approaches for weather forecasts: methods of weather forecasts - synoptic, numerical prediction, statistical, analogue, persistence and climatological approach, nanotechnological approach, Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) base- signals from flora, fauna, insects, birds, animals behavior; various methods of verification of location-specific weather forecast. Special forecasts: special forecasts for natural calamities such as drought, floods, high winds, cold (frost) and heat waves, hail storms, cyclones and protection measures against such hazards. Modification of weather hazards: weather modification for agriculture; scientific advances in artificial rain making, hail suppression, dissipation of fog and stratus clouds, modification of severe storms and electric behavior of clouds. Weather based advisories: interpretation of weather forecasts for soil moisture, farm operations, pest and disease development and epidemics, crops and livestock production; preparation of weather-based advisories and dissemination.

 

Practical: Exercise on weather forecasting for various applications; Preparation of weather-based agro-advisories based on weather forecast using various approaches and synoptic charts.

1. RS and GIS Applications in Agricultural Meteorology

Content:  Basic components of remote sensing- signals, sensors and sensing systems; active and passive remote sensing. Characteristics of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter; spectral features of earth’s surface features; remote sensors in visible, infrared and microwave regions. Imaging and non-imaging systems; framing and scanning systems; resolution of sensors; sensor platforms, their launching and maintenance. Drone technology. Data acquisition system, data preprocessing, storage and dissemination; digital image processing and information extraction. Microwave remote sensing; visual and digital image interpretation; introduction to GIS and GPS. Digital techniques for crop discrimination and identification; crop stress detection - soil moisture assessment, inventory of ground water and satellite measurement of surface soil moisture and temperature; drought monitoring, monitoring of crop disease and pest infestation. Use of satellite data in weather forecasting. Soil resource inventory; land use/land cover mapping and planning; integrated watershed development; crop yield modeling and crop production forecasting.

 

Practical: Acquisition of maps; Field data collection; Map and imagery scales; S/W and H/W requirements and specifications for remote sensing; Data products, their specifications, media types, data inputs, transformation, display types, image enhancement; Image classification methods; Evaluation of classification error; Crop discrimination and acreage estimations; Differentiation of different degraded soils; Time domain reflectometry; Use of spectrometer and computation of vegetation indices; Demonstration of case studies; Hands on training.

1. Strategic Use of Climatic Information

Content: Increasing awareness on potential climate hazards and mitigations: history of climate-related disasters in the concerned continent/ region/ country/ sub-region and their documented or remembered impacts; Climatic hazards and extreme weather events (Cyclone, Hailstorm, drought, flood, etc.), Impact of climatic hazard on agricultural production; efforts made in mitigating impacts of (future) disasters (prevention); trends discernible in occurrence and character of disasters, if any. Selection of appropriate land use and cropping patterns: types and drivers of agricultural land use and cropping patterns based on climatic situation; history of present land use and cropping patterns in the sub-region concerned as related to environmental issues; successes and difficulties experienced by farmers with present land use and cropping patterns; outlook for present land use and cropping patterns and possible alternatives from an environmental point of view. Adoption of preparedness strategies: priority settings for preparedness strategies in agricultural production; preparedness for meteorological disasters in development planning; permanent adaptation strategies that reduce the vulnerabilities to hazards; preparedness as a coping strategy. Making more efficient use of agricultural inputs: agro-meteorological aspects of agricultural production inputs and their history; determination of input efficiencies based on weather conditions; other factors determining inputs and input efficiency; actual use of inputs in main land use and cropping patterns of the region. Adoption of microclimate modification techniques: review of microclimate management and manipulation methods; history of microclimate modification techniques practiced in the continent/ country/ sub-region concerned; possible improvements in adoption of microclimate modification techniques, given increasing climate variability and climate change; local trends in adoption of such techniques. Protection measures against extreme climate: history of protection measures against extreme climate in the continent/ region/ country/ sub region concerned; successes and difficulties experienced by farmers with present protection measures; outlook for present protection measures and possible alternatives; trends in protection methods against extreme climate.

 

Practical: Outlook for present land use and cropping patterns and possible alternatives from environmental point of view; Recent trends in land use and cropping patterns; Agro-meteorological services to increase farmers design abilities of land use and cropping patterns; Systematic and standardized data collection on protection measures against extreme climate.

1. Weather and Climate Risk Management

Content: Risk characterization – definitions and classification of risks; characterization of weather and climate related risks in agriculture; water related risks; radiation/ heat related risks; air and its movement related risks; biomass related risks; social and economic risk factors related to weather and climate. Risks in agricultural production, history of weather and climate as accepted risk factors in agriculture in the continent/ region/ country/ sub-region concerned and the related documented risk concepts; preparedness for weather and climate risks. Risks of droughts; monitoring, prediction and prevention of drought; drought proofing and management; modern tools including remote sensing and GIS in monitoring and combating droughts. Theories of weather modification; scientific advances in clouds and electrical behavior of clouds; hails suppression, dissipation of fog, modification of frost intensity and severe storms; shelter belts and wind breaks, mulches and anti-transpirants; protection of plants against climatic hazards; air and water pollution; meteorological conditions in artificial and controlled climates - green, plastic, glass and animal houses, etc. Approaches and tools to deal with risks - history of methods for weather and climate related risk assessments in the continent/ region/ country/ subregion concerned and their documented evidence of application to agricultural/farming systems; strategies of dealing with risks- mitigating practices before occurrence; preparedness for the inevitable; contingency planning and responses; disaster risk mainstreaming. Perspectives for farm applications - farm applications not yet dealt with, such as making risk information products more client friendly and transfer of risk information products to primary and secondary users of such information; heterogeneity of rural people in education, income, occupation and information demands and consequences for risk information products and their transfer; livelihood-focused support, participation and community perspectives; challenges for developing coping strategies including transferring risks through insurance schemes. Challenges to coping strategies-combining challenges to disaster risk mainstreaming, mitigation practices, contingency planning and responses, basic preparedness; preparedness approaches reducing emergency relief necessities; the role that insurances can play in risk spreading and transfer; application of methods that permit the incorporation of seasonal and long-term forecasts into the risk assessment models.

1. Aerobiometeorology

Content: Definition and structure of Aerobiometeorology, role of Agrometeorology and Biogeography in forecasting pests and disease outbreak, insect movement in the atmosphere, intensification, Effect of weather and climate parameters on reproduction, growth, development, movements, food, habitat and dispersal of pests and diseases. Influence of weather and climate on Migratory pests (Desert locust, BPH etc.). Benevolent and malevolent weather conditions for salient pests & diseases of the concerned agro-climatic zones. Effects of sudden weather changes and extreme weather conditions on population built-up of the pest, heat stress and heat related mortality, climate change impact on pest and diseases. Biometeorology in integrated pest and disease management program, modification of plant canopy and its impact of plant diseases, management of segments of disease triangle: environment manipulation and host manipulation, weather based forewarning system for pest and diseases. Soil borne pathogens, their biology, management and challenges, soil borne diseases and their control, abiotic factor in soil borne disease management, Managing of pests & diseases in controlled environment, Environmental management for pest and disease.

 

Practical: Identification of different pests; Pest population, observations and their index calculation; Identification of various diseases; Disease initiation and their intensity, percent disease index; Relation between weather parameters and pests and disease.

Agronomy

1. Modern Concepts in Crop Production

Content: Crop growth analysis in relation to environment; geo-ecological zones of India. Quantitative agro-biological principles and inverse yield nitrogen law; Mitscherlich yield equation, its interpretation and applicability; Baule unit. Effect of lodging in cereals; physiology of grain yield in cereals; optimization of plant population and planting geometry in relation to different resources, concept of ideal plant type and crop modeling for desired crop yield. Scientific principles of crop production; crop response production functions; concept of soil plant relations; yield and environmental stress, use of growth hormones and regulators for better adaptation in stressed condition. Integrated farming systems, organic farming, and resource conservation technology including modern concept of tillage; dry farming; determining the nutrient needs for yield potentiality of crop plants, concept of balance nutrition and integrated nutrient management; precision agriculture. Modern crop production concepts: soil less cultivation, Aeroponic, Hydroponic, Robotic and terrace farming. Use of GIS, GPS and remote sensing in modern agriculture, precision farming and protected agriculture.

1. Principal and Practices of Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management

Content: Soil fertility and productivity - factors affecting; features of good soil management; problems of supply and availability of nutrients; relation between nutrient supply and crop growth; organic farming - basic concepts and definitions. Criteria of essentiality of nutrients; Essential plant nutrients – their functions, nutrient deficiency symptoms; transformation and dynamics of major plant nutrients. Preparation and use of farmyard manure, compost, green manures, vermicompost, biofertilizers and other organic concentrates their composition, availability and crop responses; recycling of organic wastes and residue management. Soil less cultivation. Commercial fertilizers; composition, relative fertilizer value and cost; crop response to different nutrients, residual effects and fertilizer use efficiency; agronomic, chemical and physiological, fertilizer mixtures and grades; methods of increasing fertilizer use efficiency; nutrient interactions. Time and methods of manures and fertilizers application; foliar application and its concept; relative performance of organic and inorganic nutrients; economics of fertilizer use; integrated nutrient management; use of vermin compost and residue wastes in crops.

Practical: Determination of soil pH and soil EC; Determination of soil organic C; Determination of available N, P, K and S of soil; Determination of total N, P, K and S of soi; Determination of total N, P, K, S in plant; Computation of optimum and economic yield.

1. Principles and Practices of Weed Management

Content: Weed biology, and ecology and classification, crop-weed competition including allelopathy; principles and methods of weed control and classification management; weed indices, weed shift in different eco-systems. Herbicides introduction and history of their development; classification based on chemical, physiological application and selectivity; mode and mechanism of action of herbicides. Herbicide structure - activity relationship; factors affecting the efficiency of herbicides; herbicide formulations, herbicide mixtures, sequential application of herbicides, rotation; weed control through use ofnano-herbicides and bio-herbicides, myco-herbicides bio-agents, and allelochemicals; movement of herbicides in soil and plant, Degradation of herbicides in soil and plants; herbicide resistance, residue, persistence and management; development of herbicide resistance in weeds and crops and their management, herbicide combinationand rotation. Weed management in major crops and cropping systems; alien, invasive and parasitic weeds and their management; weed shifts in cropping systems; aquatic and perennial weed control; weed control in non-crop area. Integrated weed management; recent development in weed management- robotics, use of drones and aeroplanes, organic etc., cost: benefit analysis of weed management.

Practical: Identification of important weeds of different crops, Preparation of a weed herbarium, Weed survey in crops and cropping systems, Crop-weed competition studies, Weed indices calculation and interpretation with data, Preparation of spray solutions of herbicides for high and low-volume sprayers, Use of various types of spray pumps and nozzles and calculation of swath width, Economics of weed control, Herbicide resistance analysis in plant and soil; Bioassay of herbicide resistance residues; Calculation of herbicidal herbicide requirement.

1. Principles and Practices of Water Management

Content: Water and its role in plants; Irrigation: Definition and objectives, water resources and irrigation development in of India and concerned state, major irrigation projects, extent of area and crops irrigated in India and in different states. Field water cycle, water movement in soil and plants; transpiration; soil-waterplant relationships; water absorption by plants; plant response to water stress, crop plant adaptation to moisture stress condition. Water availability and its relationship with nutrient availability and loses. Soil, plant and meteorological factors determining water needs of crops, scheduling, depth and methods of irrigation; micro irrigation systems; deficit irrigation; fertigation; management of water in controlled environments and polyhouses. Irrigation efficiency and water use efficiency. Water management of crop and cropping system, Quality of irrigation water and management of saline water for irrigation, water use efficiency, Crop water requirement- estimation of ET and effective rainfall; Water management of the major crops and cropping systems. Automated irrigation system. Excess of soil water and plant growth; water management in problem soils, drainage requirement of crops and methods of field drainage, their layout and spacing; rain water management and its utilization for crop production. Quality of irrigation water and management of saline water for irrigation, water management in problem soils Soil moisture conservation, water harvesting, rain water management and its utilization for crop production. Hydroponics, Water management of crops under climate change scenario.

Practical: Determination of Field capacity by field method; Determination of Permanent Wilting Point by sunflower pot culture technique; Determination of Field capacity and Permanent Wilting Point by Pressure Plate Apparatus; Determination of Hygroscopic Coefficient; Determination of maximum water holding capacity of soil; Measurement of matric potential using gauge and mercury type tensiometer; Determination of soil-moisture characteristics curves; Determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity by constant and falling head method; Determination of hydraulic conductivity of saturated soil below the water table by auger hole method; Measurement of soil water diffusivity; Estimation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivit Estimation of upward flux of water using tensiometer and from depth ground water table; Determination of irrigation requirement of crops (calculations); Determination of effective rainfall (calculations); Determination of ET of crops by soil moisture depletion method16. Determination of water requirements of crops; Measurement of irrigation water by volume and velocity-area method; Measurement of irrigation water by measuring devices and calculation of irrigation efficiency; Determination of infiltration rate by double ring infiltrometer.

1. Conservation Agriculture

Content: Conventional and conservation agriculture systems, sustainability concerns, conservation agriculture: Historical background and present concept, global experiences, present status in India. Nutrient management in CA, water management, weed management, energy use, insect-pest and disease management, farm machinery, crop residue management, cover crop management. Climate change mitigation and CA, C-sequestration, soil health management, soil microbes and CA. CA in agroforestry systems, rainfed / dryland regions. Economic considerations in CA, adoption and constraints, CA: The future of agriculture.

Practicals: Study of long-term experiments on CA,; Evaluation of soil health parameters; Estimation of C-sequestration; Machinery calibration for sowing different crops, weed seed bank estimation under CA, energy requirements, economic analysis of CA.

1. Agronomy of Major Cereals and Pulses

Content: Origin and history, area and production, classification, improved varieties, adaptability, climate, soil, water and cultural requirements, nutrition, quality components, handling and processing of the produce for maximum production of: Rabi cereals. Kharif cereals. Rabi pulses. Kharif pulses.

Practical: Phenological studies at different growth stages of crop; Estimation of crop yield on the basis of yield attributes; Formulation of cropping schemes for various farm sizes and calculation of cropping and rotational intensities; Working out growth indices (CGR, RGR, NAR, LAI, LAD, LAR, LWR, SLA, SLW etc); Assessment of land use and yield advantage (Rotational intensity, Cropping intensity, Diversity Index, Sustainable Yield Index Crop Equivalent Yield, Land Equivalent ration, Aggressiveness, Relative Crowding Coefficient, Competition Ratio and ATER etc); Estimation of protein content in pulses; Planning and layout of field experiments; Judging of physiological maturity in different crops; Intercultural operations in different crops; Determination of cost of cultivation of different crops; Working out harvest index of various crops; Study of seed production techniques in selected crops; Visit of field experiments on cultural, fertilizer, weed control and water management aspects; Visit to nearby villages for identification of constraints in crop production.

1. Agronomy of Oilseed, Fibre and Sugar Crops

Content: Origin and history, area and production, classification, improved varieties, adaptability, climate, soil, water and cultural requirements, nutrition, quality component, handling and processing of the produce for maximum production of: Rabi oilseeds – Rapeseed and mustard, Linseed and Niger Kharif oilseeds - Groundnut, Sesame, Castor, Sunflower, Soybean and Safflower Fiber crops - Cotton, Jute, Ramie and Mesta. Sugar crops – Sugar-beet and Sugarcane.

 Practical: Planning and layout of field experiments; Cutting of sugarcane setts, its treatment and methods of sowing, tying and propping of sugarcane; Determination of cane maturity and calculation on purity percentage, recovery percentage and sucrose content in cane juice phenological studies at different growth stages of crop; Intercultural operations in different crops; Cotton seed treatment; Working out growth indices (CGR, RGR, NAR, LAI, LAD, LAR, LWR, SLA, SLW etc); Assessment of land use and yield advantage (Rotational intensity, Cropping intensity, Diversity Index, Sustainable Yield Index Crop Equivalent Yield, Land Equivalent ration, Aggressiveness, Relative Crowding Coefficient, Competition Ratio and ATER etc); Judging of physiological maturity in different crops and working out harvest index; Working out cost of cultivation of different crops; Estimation of crop yield on the basis of yield attributes; Formulation of cropping schemes for various farm sizes and calculation of cropping and rotational intensities; Determination of oil content in oilseeds and computation of oil yield; Estimation of quality of fibre of different fibre crops; Study of seed production techniques in various crops; Visit of field experiments on cultural, fertilizer, weed control and water management aspects; Visit to nearby villages for identification of constraints in crop production.

1. Agronomy of Medicinal, Aromatic and Under Utilized Crops

Content: Importance of medicinal and aromatic plants in human health, national economy and related industries, classification of medicinal and aromatic plants according to botanical characteristics and their uses, export potential and indigenous technical knowledge. Climate and soil requirements; cultural practices; yield and important constituents of medicinal plants (Mulhati, Isabgol, Rauwolfia, Poppy, Aloe vera, Satavar, Stevia, Safed Musli, Kalmegh, Asaphoetida, Nuxvomica, Rosadle, etc). Climate and soil requirements; cultural practices; yield and important constituents of aromatic plants (Citronella, Palmarosa, Mentha, Basil, Lemon grass, Rose, Patchouli, Geranium). Climate and soil requirements; cultural practices; yield of under-utilized crops (Rice bean, Lathyrus, Sesbania, Clusterbean, French bean, Fenugreek, Grain Amaranth, Coffee, Tea and Tobacco). Post harvest handling –drawing, processing, grading, packing and storage, value addition and quality standards in herbal products.

Practical: Identification of crops based on morphological and seed characteristics; Raising of herbarium of medicinal, aromatic and under-utilized plants; Quality characters in medicinal and aromatic plants; Methods of analysis of essential oil and other chemicals of importance in medicinal and aromatic plants.

1. Agronomy of Fodder and Forage Crops

Content: Adaptation, distribution, varietal improvement, agro-techniques and quality aspects including anti-quality factors of important fodder crops like sorghum, maize, bajra, guar, cowpea, oats, barley, berseem, senji, lucerne, etc. Adaptation, distribution, varietal improvement, agro-techniques and quality aspects including anti-quality factors of important forage crops/grasseslime, Napier grass, Panicum, Lasiuras, Cenchrus, etc. Year-round fodder production and management, preservation and utilization of forage and pasture crops. Principles and methods of hay and silage making; chemical and biochemical changes, nutrient losses and factors affecting quality of hay and silage; use of physical and chemical enrichments and biological methods for improving nutrition; value addition of poorquality fodder. Fodder production through hydroponics. Azolla cultivation. Economics of forage cultivation uses and seed production techniques of important fodder crops.

Practical: Practical training of farm operations in raising fodder crops; Canopy measurement, yield, Leaf: Stem ratio and quality estimation, viz. crude protein, NDF, ADF, lignin, silica, cellulose and IVDMD, etc. of various fodder and forage crops Anti-quality components like HCN in sorghum and such factors in other crops; Hay and silage making and economics of their preparation.

1. Agrostology and Agro-forestry

Practical:  Preparation of charts and maps of India showing different types of pastures and agro-forestry systems; Identification of seeds and plants of common grasses, legumes and trees of economic importance with reference to agro-forestry’ Seed treatment for better germination of farm vegetation; Methods of propagation/ planting of grasses and trees in silvipastoral system; Fertilizer application in strip and silvipastroal systems; After-care of plantation; Estimation of protein content in loppings of important fodder trees; Estimation of calorie value of wood of important fuel trees; Estimation of total biomass and fuel wood; Economics of agro-forestry; Visit to important agro-forestry research stations.

1. Cropping Systems and Sustainable Agriculture

Content: Cropping systems: definition, indices and its importance; physical resources, soil and water management in cropping systems; assessment of land use. Concept of sustainability in cropping systems and farming systems, scope and objectives; production potential under monoculture cropping, multiple cropping, alley cropping, sequential cropping and intercropping, mechanism of yield advantage in intercropping systems. Above and below ground interactions and allelopathic effects; competition relations; multi-storied cropping and yield stability in intercropping, role of non-monetary inputs and low cost technologies; research need on sustainable agriculture. Crop diversification for sustainability; role of organic matter in maintenance of soil fertility; crop residue management; fertilizer use efficiency and concept of fertilizer use in intensive cropping system. Advanced nutritional tools for big data analysis and interpretation. Plant ideotypes for drylands; plant growth regulators and their role in sustainability. Artificial Intelligence- Concept and application.

1. Dryland Farming and Watershed Management

Content: Definition, concept and characteristics of dry land farming; dry land versus rainfed farming; significance and dimensions of dry land farming in Indian agriculture. Soil and climatic parameters with special emphasis on rainfall characteristics; constraints limiting crop production in dry land areas; types of drought, characterization of environment for water availability; crop planning for erratic and aberrant weather conditions. Stress physiology and resistance to drought, adaptation of crop plants to drought, drought management strategies; preparation of appropriate crop plans for dry land areas; mid contingent plan for aberrant weather conditions. Tillage, tilth, frequency and depth of cultivation, compaction in soil tillage; concept of conservation tillage; tillage in relation to weed control and moisture conservation; techniques and practices of soil moisture conservation (use of mulches, kinds, effectiveness and economics); antitranspirants; soil and crop management techniques, seeding and efficient fertilizer use. Concept of watershed resource management, problems, approach and components.

Practical: Method of Seed Priming; Determination of moisture content of germination of important dryland crops; Determination of Relative Water Content and Saturation Deficit of Leaf;  Moisture stress effects and recovery behaviour of important crops; Estimation of Potential ET by Thornthwaite method; Estimation of Reference ET ny Penman Monteith Method; Classification of climate by Thornthwaite method (based on moisture index, humidity index and aridity index); Classification of climate by Koppen Method; Estimation of water balance by Thornthwaite method; Estimation of water balance by FAO method; Assessment of drought; Estimation of length of growing period; Estimation of probability of rain and crop planning for different drought condition; Spray of anti-transpirants and their effect on crops; Water use efficiency; Visit to dryland research stations and watershed project.

1. Principles and Practices of Organic Farming

Content: Organic farming - concept and definition, its relevance to India and global agriculture and future prospects; principles of organic agriculture; organics and farming standards; organic farming and sustainable agriculture; selection and conversion of land, soil and water management - land use, conservation tillage; shelter zones, hedges, pasture management, agro-forestry. Organic farming and water use efficiency; soil fertility, nutrient recycling, organic residues, organic manures, composting, soil biota and decomposition of organic residues, earthworms and vermicompost, green manures, bio-fertilizers and biogas technology. Farming systems, selection of crops andcrop rotations, multiple and relay cropping systems, intercropping in relation to maintenance of soil productivity. Control of weeds, diseases and insect pest management, biological agents and pheromones, bio-pesticides. Socio-economic impacts; marketing and export potential: inspection, certification, labeling and accreditation procedures; organic farming and national economy.

Practical: Method of making compost by aerobic method; Method of making compost by anaerobic method; Method of making vermicompost; Identification and nursery raising of important agro-forestry tress and tress for shelter belts; Efficient use of biofertilizers, technique of treating legume seeds with Rhizobium cultures, use of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, and PSB cultures in field; Visit to a biogas plant; Visit to an organic farm; Quality standards, inspection, certification and labeling and accreditation procedures for farm produce from organic farm.

Soil Science

1. Soil Physics

Content: Basic principles of physics applied to soils, soil as a three phase system. Soil texture, textural classes, mechanical analysis, specific surface. Soil consistence; dispersion and workability of soils; soil compaction and consolidation; soil strength; swelling and shrinkage - basic concepts.Alleviation of soil physical constraints for crop production. Soil erosion and edibility Soil structure - genesis, types, characterization and management soil structure; soil aggregation, aggregate stability; soil tilth, characteristics of good soil tilth; soil crusting -mechanism, factors affecting and evaluation; soil conditioners; puddling, its effect on soil physical properties; clod formation. Soil water: content and potential, soil water retention, soil-water constants, measurement of soil water content, energy state of soil water, soil water potential, soil-moisture characteristic curve; hysteresis, measurement of soil-moisture potential. Water flow in saturated and unsaturated soils, Poiseuille’s law, Darcy’s law; hydraulic conductivity, permeability and fluidity, hydraulic diffusivity; measurement ofhydraulic conductivity in saturated and unsaturated soils. Infiltration; internal drainage and redistribution; evaporation; hydrologic cycle, field water balance; soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Composition of soil air; renewal of soil air - convective flow and diffusion; measurement of soil aeration; aeration requirement for plant growth; soil air management. Modes of energy transfer in soils; energy balance; thermal properties of soil; measurement of soil temperature; soil temperature in relation to plant growth; soiltemperature management.

Practical: Determination of B.D, P.D and mass volume relationship of soil, Mechanical analysis by hydrometer and international pipette method; Measurement of Atterberg limits, Aggregate analysis - dry and wet, Measurement of soil-water content by different methods, Measurement of soil-water potential by using tensiometer and gypsum Blocks, Determination of soil-moisture characteristics curve and computation of pore-size, distribution, Determination of hydraulic conductivity under saturated and unsaturated conditions, Determination of infiltration rate of soil, Determination of aeration porosity and oxygen diffusion rate, Soil temperature measurements by different methods, Estimation of water balance components in bare and cropped fields.

1. Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Use

Content: Soil fertility and soil productivity; fertility status of major soils group of India; nutrient sources – fertilizers and manures; Criteria of essentiality, classification, law of minimum and maximum, essential plant nutrients - functions and deficiency symptoms, Nutrient uptake, nutrient interactions in soils and plants; long term effect of manures and fertilizers on soil fertility and crop productivity. Soil and fertilizer nitrogen – sources, forms, immobilization and mineralization, nitrification, denitrification; biological nitrogen fixation -types, mechanism, microorganisms and factors affecting; nitrogenous fertilizers and their fate in soils; management of fertilizer nitrogen in lowland and upland conditions for high fertilizer use efficiency. Soil and fertilizer phosphorus - forms, immobilization, mineralization, reactions in acid and alkali soils; factors affecting phosphorus availability in soils; phosphatic fertilizers - behavior in soils and management under field conditions. Potassium - forms, equilibrium in soils and its agricultural significance; mechanism of potassium fixation; management of potassium fertilizers under field conditions. Sulphur - source, forms, fertilizers and their behavior in soils; role in crops and human health; calcium and magnesium– factors affecting their availability in soils; management of sulphur, calcium and magnesium fertilizers. Micronutrients – critical limits in soils and plants; factors affecting their availability and correction of their deficiencies in plants; role of chelates in nutrient availability. Common soil test methods for fertilizer recommendations; quantity– intensity relationships; soil test crop response correlations and response functions. Unit Fertilizer use efficiency; site-specific nutrient management; plant need based nutrient management; integrated nutrient management; speciality fertilizers concept, need and category. Current status of speciality fertilizers use in soils and crops of India; Soil fertility evaluation - biological methods, soil, plant and tissue tests; soil quality in relation to sustainable agriculture, Determination of critical limit, DRIS Definition and concepts of soil health and soil quality; Long term effects of fertilizers and soil quality.

Practical: Soil and plant sampling and processing for chemical analysis; Determination of soil pH, total and organic carbon in soil; Chemical analysis of soil for total and available nutrients(major and micro); Analysis of plants for essential elements(major and micro).

1. Soil Chemistry

Content: Chemical (elemental) composition of the earth’s crust, soils, rocks and minerals. Elements of equilibrium thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, electrochemistry and chemical kinetics. Soil colloids: inorganic and organic colloids - origin of charge, concept of point of zero-charge (PZC) and its dependence on variable-charge soil components, surface charge characteristics of soils; diffuse double layer theories of soil colloids, zeta potential, stability, coagulation/flocculation and peptization of soil colloids; electrometric properties of soil colloids; sorption properties of soil colloids; soil organic matter - fractionation of soil organic matter and different fractions, Characterization of OM; clay-organic interactions. Ion exchange processes in soil; cation exchange- theories based on law of massaction (Kerr-Vanselow, Gapon equations, hysteresis, Jenny’s concept), adsorptionisotherms, Donnan-membrane equilibrium concept, clay-membrane electrodes and ionicactivity measurement, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics; anion and ligand exchange– innersphere and outer-sphere surface complex formation, fixation of oxyanions, hysteresisin sorption-desorption of oxy-anions and anions, shift of PZC on ligand exchange, AEC, CEC; experimental methods to study ion exchange phenomena and practical implications in plant nutrition. Unit V Potassium, phosphate and ammonium fixation in soils covering specificand nonspecific sorption; precipitation-dissolution equilibria; Conceptof quantity/intensity(Q/ I)relationship; step and constant-rate K; managementaspects. Chemistry of acid soils; active and potential acidity; lime potential, chemistry of acid soils; sub-soil acidity. Chemistry of salt-affected soils and amendments; soil pH, ECe, ESP, SAR and important relations; soil management and amendments. Chemistry and electrochemistry of submerged soils, geochemistry of micronutrients, environmental soil chemistry.

 Practical: Preparation of saturation extract, measurement of pH, EC, CO, HCO, Ca, Mg, K and Na, Determination of CEC and AEC of soils, Analysis of equilibrium soil solution for pH, EC, Eh by the use of Eh-pH meter and conductivity meter, Determination of point of zero-charge and associated surface charge characteristics by the serial potentiometric titration method, Extraction of humic substances, Potentiometric and conductometric titration of soil humic and fulvic acids, (E4/E6) ratio of soil humic and fulvic acids by visible spectrophotometric studies and the D (E4/E6) values at two pH values, Adsorption-desorption of phosphate/sulphate by soil using simple adsorption isotherm, Construction of adsorption envelope of soils by using phosphate/fluoride/sulphate and ascertaining the mechanism of the ligand exchange process involved, Determination of titratable acidity of an acid soil by BaCl2-TEA method, Determination of Q/I relationship of potassium, Determination of lime requirement of an acid soil by buffer method, Determination of gypsum requirement of an alkali soil.

1. Soil Mineralogy, Genesis and Classification

Content: Fundamentals of crystallography, space lattice, coordination theory, isomorphism and polymorphism. Classification, structure, chemical composition and properties of clay minerals; genesis and transformation of crystal line and non-crystal line clay minerals; identification techniques; amorphous soil constituents and other non-crystalline silicate minerals and their identification; clay minerals in Indian soils, role of clay minerals in plant nutrition, interaction of clay with humus, pesticides and heavy metals. Factors of soil formation, soil formation models; soil forming processes; weathering of rocks and mineral transformations; soil profile; weathering sequences of minerals with special reference to Indian soils. Concept of soil individual; soil classification systems – historical developments and modern systems of soil classification with special emphasis on soil taxonomy; soil classification, soil mineralogy and soil maps – usefulness.

 Practical: Separation of sand, silt and clay fraction from soil; Determination of specific surface area and CEC of clay; Identification and quantification of minerals in soil fractions; Morphological properties of soil profile in different land forms; Classification of soils using soil taxonomy; Calculation of weathering indices and its application in soil formation; Grouping soil susing available database in terms of soil quality.

1. Soil Erosion and Conservation

Content: History, distribution, identification and description of soil erosion problems in India. Forms of soil erosion; effects of soil erosion and factors affecting soilerosion; types and mechanisms of water erosion; raindrops and soil erosion; rainfall erosivity - estimation as EI30 index and kinetic energy; factors affecting water erosion; empirical and quantitative estimation of water erosion; methods of measurement and prediction of runoff; soil losses in relation to soil properties and precipitation. Wind erosion- types, mechanism and factors affecting wind erosion; extent of problem in the country. Principles of erosion control; erosion control measures – agronomical and engineering; erosion control structures - their design and layout. Soil conservation planning; land capability classification; soil conservation in special problem areas such as hilly, arid and semi-arid regions, waterlogged and wet lands. Watershed management - concept, objectives and approach; water harvesting and recycling; flood control in watershed management; socioeconomic aspects of watershed management; case studies in respect to monitoring and evaluation of watersheds; use of remote sensing in assessment and planning of watersheds, sediment measurement.

Practical: Determination of different soil erodibility indices - suspension percentage, dispersion ratio, erosion ratio, clay ratio, clay/moisture equivalent ratio, percolation ratio, raindrop erodibility index; Computation of kinetic energy of falling rain drops; Computation of rainfall erosivity index (EI30) using rain gauge data; Land capability classification of a watershed; Visits to a watersheds.

1. Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Content: Soilbiota, soil microbialecology, types of organisms indifferent soils; soil microbial biomass; microbial interactions; un-culturable soilbiota. Microbiology and biochemistry of root-soil interface; phyllosphere; soil enzymes, origin, activities and importance; soil characteristics influencing growth and activity of microflora; Root rhizosphere and PGPR. Microbial transformations of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, iron and manganese in soil; biochemical composition and biodegradation of soil organic matter and crop residues, microbiology and biochemistry of decomposition of carbonaceous and protenaceous materials, cycles of important organic nutrients. organic wastes and their use for production of biogas and manures; biotic factors in soil development; microbial toxins in the soil. Preparation and preservation of farmyard manure, animal manures, rural and urban composts and vermicompost. Biofertilizers–definition, classification, specifications, method of production and role in crop production; FCO specifications and quality control of biofertilizers. Biological indicators of soil quality; bioremediation of contaminated soils; microbial transformations of heavy metals in soil; role of soil organisms inpedogenesis – important mechanisms and controlling factors; soil genomics and bioprospecting; soil sickness due to biological agents; xenobiotics; antibiotic production in soil.

Practical: Determination of soil microbial population; Soil microbial biomass carbon; Elemental composition, fractionation of organic matter and functional groups; Decomposition of organic matter in soil; Soil enzymes; Measurement of important soil microbial processes such as ammonification, nitrification, N2 fixation, S oxidation, P solubilization and mineralization of other micronutrients.

1. Radioisotopes in Soil and Plant Studies

Content: Atomic structure, radio activity and units; radio isotopes-properties and decay principles; nature and properties of nuclear radiations; interaction of nuclear radiations with matter, artificial radioactivity. Principles and use of radiation monitoring instruments-proportional, Geiger Muller counter, solid and liquids cintillation counters; neutron moisture meter, mass spectrometry, autoradiography. Isotopic dilution techniques used in soil and plant research; use of stable isotopes; application of isotopes in studies on organic matter, nutrient transformations, ion transport, rooting pattern and fertilizer use efficiency; carbon dating. Doses of radiation exposure, radiation safety aspects regulatory aspects, collection, storage and disposal of radioactive wastes.

Practical: Storage and handling of radioactive materials; Determination of half-life and decay constant; Preparation of soil and plant samples for radioactive measurements; Settingup of experiment on fertilizer use efficiency and cation exchange equilibria using radio isotopes; Determination of A, E and L values of soil using 32P/65Zn; Use of neutron probe for moisture determination; Sample preparation and measurement of 15N enrichment by mass spectro photometery/ emission spectrometry.

1. Soil, Water and Air Pollution

Content: Soil, water and air pollution problems associated with agriculture, nature and extent. Nature and sources of pollutants – agricultural, industrial, urban wastes, fertilizers and pesticides, acid rains, oil spills etc.; air, water and soil pollutants- their CPC standards and effect on plants, animals and human beings. Sewage and industrial effluents–their composition and effecton soil properties/ health, and plant growth and humanbeings; soil as sink for waste disposal. Pesticides–their classification, behaviour in soil and effecton soil microorganisms. Toxic elements–their sources, behaviour in soils, effect on nutrients availability, effect on plant and human health. Pollution of water resources due to leaching of nutrients and pesticides from soil; emission of green house gases–carbondioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Risk assessment of polluted soil, Remediation/ amelioration of contaminated soil and water; remote sensing applications in monitoring and management of soil and water pollution.

Practical: Sampling of sewage waters, sewage sludge, solid/ liquid industrial wastes, polluted soils and plants and their processing, Estimation of dissolved and suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological demand (BOD), measurement of coliform (MPN), nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen and phosphorus, heavy metal content in effluents, Heavy metals in contaminated soils and plants, Management of contaminants in soil and plants to safe guard food safety, Air sampling and determination of particulate matter and oxides of sulphur, NO2 and O2 conc. Visi.

1. Remote Sensing and GIS Technique for Soil, Water and Crop Studies

Content: Introduction and history of remote sensing; sources, propagation of radiations in atmosphere; interactions with matter, basic concepts and principles; hardware and software requirements; common terminologies of geographic information system (GIS). Sensor systems-camera, microwave radio meters and scanners; fundamentals of aerial photographs and multispectral imaging, hyperspectral imaging, thermal imaging; image processing and interpretations. Application of remote sensing techniques-landuse soil surveys, crop stress and yield forecasting, prioritization in watershed and drought management, waste land identification and management. Significance and sources of the spatial and temporal variability in soils; variability in relation to size of sampling; classical and geo-statistical techniques of evolution of soil variability. Applications of GIS for water resources, agriculture, precision farming, disaster management, e-governance, Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS).

Practical: Familiarization with different remote sensing equipments and data products, Interpretation of aerial photo graphs and satellite data for mapping of land resources, Analysis of variability of different soil properties with classical and geostatistical techniques, Creation of datafiles in a database programme, Use of GIS for soil spatial simulation and analysis, To enable the students to conduct soil survey and interpret soil survey reports in terms of land use planning.

1. Analytical Technique and Instrumental Methods in Soil and Plant Analysis

Practical: Preparation of solutions for standard curves, indicators and standard solutions for acid-base, oxidation reduction and complexometric titration; soil, water and plant sampling techniques, their processing and handling. Determination of nutrient potentials and potential buffering capacities of soils for phosphorus and potassium; estimation of phosphorus, ammonium and potassium fixation capacities of soils. Principles of visible, ultra violet and infrared spectrophotometery, atomic absorption, flame-photometry, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry; chromatographic techniques, mass spectrometry and X-ray defractrometery; identification of minerals by X-ray by different methods, CHNS analyzer. Electrochemical titration of clays; estimation of exchangeable cations (Na, Ca, Mg, K); estimation of root cation exchange capacity. Wet digestion/fusion/extraction of soil with aquaregia with soil for elemental analysis; triacid/di-acid digestion of plant samples; determination of available and total nutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B, Mo) in soils; determination of total nutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B, Mo) in plants Unit VI Drawing normalized exchange isotherms; measurement of redox potential.

1. Management of Problem Soils and Water

Content: Area and distribution of problem soils–acidic, saline, sodic and physically degraded soils; origin and basic concept of problematic soils, and factors responsible. Morphological features of saline, sodic and saline-sodic soils; characterization of salt-affected soils-soluble salts, ESP, pH; physical, chemical and microbiological properties. Management of salt-affected soils; salt tolerance of crops- mechanism and ratings; salt stress meaning and its effect on crop growth, monitoring of soils alinity in the field; management principles for sandy, clayey, red lateritic and dryland soils. Acid soils-nature of soil acidity, sources of soil acidity; effect on plant growth, lime requirement of acid soils; management of acid soils; biological sickness of soils and its management. Quality of irrigation water; management of brackish water for irrigation; salt balance under irrigation; characterization of brackish waters, area and extent; relationship in water use and quality Agronomic practices in relation to problematic soils; cropping pattern for utilizing poor quality groundwaters.

Practical: Characterization of acid, acid sulfate, salt-affected and calcareous soils, Determination of cations (Na+, K+, Ca++ and Mg++) in groundwater and soil samples, Determination of an ions (Cl- , SO4 - , CO3 - and HCO3-) in ground waters and soil samples, Lime and gypsum requirements of acid and sodic soils.

1. Land Degradation and Restoration

Content: Type, factors and processes of soil/land degradation and its impact on soil productivity including soil fauna, biodegradation and environment. Land restoration and conservation techniques-erosion control, reclamation of saltaffectedsoils; minelandreclamation, afforestation, organic products. Extent, diagnosis and mapping of land degradation by conventional and modern RS-GIS tools; monitoring land degradation by fast assessment, modern tools, land use policy, incentives and participatory approach for reversing land degradation; global issues for twenty first century.

1. Soil Survey and Land Use Planning

Content:  Soil survey and its types; soil survey techniques- conventional and modern; soil series–characterization and procedure for establishing soil series; benchmark soils and soil correlations; soil survey interpretations; thematic soil maps, cartography, mapping units, techniques for gene ration of soil maps, application of remote sensing and GIS in soil survey and mapping of major soil group of India Landform–soil relationship; major soil groups of India with special reference to respective states; land capability classification and land irrigability classification; land evaluation and land use type (LUT)–concept and application; approaches for managing soils and landscapes in the framework of agro-ecosystem. Concept and techniques of land use planning; factors governing present land use; Land evaluation method sand soil-site suitability evaluation for different crops; land capability classification and constraints in application. Agro-ecological regions/sub-regions of India and their characteristics in relation to crop production. Status of LUP in India.

Practical: Aerial photo and satellite data interpretation for soil and land use; Cartographic techniques for preparation of base maps and thematic maps, processing of field sheets, compilation and obstruction of maps in different scales; Land use planning exercises using conventional and RS tools.

1. Introduction to Nanotechnology

Content: General introduction: Basics of quantum mechanics, harmonic oscillator, magnetic phenomena, band structure in solids, Mössbauer effect and spectroscopy, optical phenomena, bond in solids, an isotropy. Nanostructures: growth of compound semiconductors, super lattices, self-assembled quantum dots, nano-particles, nano tubes and nanowires, fullerenes (buckballs, graphene). Nanofabrication and nano-patterning: Optical, X-ray, and electron beam lithography, self-assembled organic layers, process of synthesis of nanopowders, electrode position, important nano materials. Mechanical properties, magnetic properties, electrical properties, electronic conduction with nanoparticles, investigating and manipulating materials in the nanoscale: Electron microscopy Nano-biology: Interaction between biomolecules and nano-particle surface, different types of in organic materials used for the synthesis of hybrid nano-bioassemblies, application of nano-inagriculture, current status of nano-biotechnology, future perspectives of nano-biology, nano-sensors.

Practical: Sources of nanoparticles and its preparation by different approaches; Electrospinning and its use in agriculture and allied sector; Equipments used in Nanotechnology: its principle and uses; Acquaintances with different equipments used in nanotechnology; Synthesis and characterization of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles; Mode of action of ZnO nanoparticles against soil borne diseases; Study on efficacy of ZnO nanoparticles as seed treating agent on plant growth parameters.

Agricultural Physics

1. Basic Concepts of Agricultural Physics

Content: Relevance of Linear, circular, relative motions, conservation of mass, energy and momentum, forces in nature, range of their operation, action at a distance, gravitational field, potential, in agriculture. Concepts of Elasticity, stress-strain relations – moduli of elasticity, Hooke’s law, molecular and structural basis of strengths of materials, hydrostatic pressure; surface tension, capillary rise, contact angle, hydrodynamics – laminar and streamline flow, Poiseuille’s equation, Stoke’s law and their application in agriculture. Principles of Thermometry, measurement of heat, specific heat, transfer of heat - conduction, convection and radiation, Change of phase, equation of state, vapour pressure and relative humidity, laws of thermodynamics, free energy, chemical potential along with their importance in agriculture. Concepts of Kinetic theory of gases, Brownian motion, mean free path, simple harmonic motion, concepts of phase, phase difference, interference and reflection of sound waves, ultrasonic, along with their relevance in agriculture. Agricultural significance of Wave theory of light, Huygen’s principle, reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarization, interference and scattering of light waves; electromagnetic theory of light, geometrical optics, aberrations, resolving power, principles of optical instruments, illuminated and luminous objects and light sources; luminescence, incandescence, fluorescence, auto-fluorescence, phosphorescence, bioluminescence, qualitative and quantitative measurement of light, colour, optical spectrometry. Principles of Electric charges, potential, field, intensity and strength of electric field, current, Coulomb’s law, dielectrics, capacitance, electrostatic units, resistance, resistivity, Ohm’s law, steady currents in conductors, insulators and semi-conductors magnetic materials, induced magnetism, electromagnetism, measurement of magnetic field, geomagnetism, effects of the earth’s magnetic field on life, electromagnetic inductions and applications in agriculture.

 Practical: Use of the instruments in agriculture: Vernier/ Screw Gauge/ Spherometer, Sextant, Surface Tension, Viscosity, Interference Phenomenon, Optical Instruments (diffraction grating), Resistivity measurement (Potentiometer/ Wheatstone bridge), Young’s Modulus.

1. Basic Concepts of Agricultural Physics

Content: Agricultural relevance of Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism, Atomic structure, Avogadro hypothesis and molecules, Atomic and molecular weights, atomic sizes, Quantum mechanics: uncertainty principle, De-Broglie hypothesis, Wave function, Eigen state, Schrodinger equation. Principles of Spectroscopy: atomic and molecular spectra, Spectroscopy: atomic and molecular spectra, Cathode rays; positive rays; Radio activity; alpha-, beta-, and gamma-rays; Rutherford’s theory of the scattering of alpha particles; X-rays, nature and properties; scattering of X-rays by atoms; Diffraction of X-rays and Bragg’s law; characteristic X-ray spectra. Principles of Quantum theory in agriculture: Planck’s quantum theory of thermal radiation; Quantum theory and Photo-electric effect; Elements of special theory of relativity, Atomic Nucleus and its constitution, Angular momentum of the nucleus; Nuclear transmutation of elements; proton-neutron hypothesis; Cosmic rays; elementary particles. Radioactivity in agriculture: Natural radioactivity, types of radiations Interaction of radiation with matter and decay; Isotopes; isotopic masses and abundances; mass spectrograph; Stable isotopes; atomic masses, packing fractions & binding energy, Theory of radioactive disintegration; half-life and mean life; Mass spectrometers Application of radioactivity in agriculture: Nuclear fission, fusion, Nuclear reactions, neutron moderation, Nuclear energy, atomic power; Production of artificial isotope. Physical principles of Radiation detection; Types of radiation detectors; efficiency of detectors; Uses of radiation detectors, Elements of radioactive sources, handling, Radiation protection and cardinal principles of radiation safety

1. Fundamentals of Soil Physics

Content: Soil as a disperse polyphase system; mass-volume relationships of soil constituents; sample problems. Soil texture; nature and behaviour of soil particles; textural classes; particle-size analysis. Soil structure- genesis, classification and evaluation; soil aggregation and dispersion; soil conditioners; soil tilth. Consistency; consistency limits; soil strength and its measurement; swelling and shrinkage; soil compaction; soil crusting; phenomenon and implications. Soil water retention; soil water constants; energy concept of soil water; different components of soil water potential; measurement of soil water content and potential; soil moisture characteristics; hysteresis. Flow of water in soils; saturated and unsaturated flow; hydraulic conductivity of soils; soil-water diffusivity; measurement of saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Infiltration, redistribution and evaporation of water; soil water balance; permeability; drainage. Soil aeration and its characterization; measurement of soil aeration; gaseous diffusion; factors affecting. Soil temperature and significance; thermal properties of soils; energy balance and mode of heat transfer in soils; factors affecting soil temperature; measurement of soil temperature; management of extreme soil temperatures.

Practical: Particle-size analysis by hydrometer method and international pipette method; Determination of particle density and bulk density of soils; Soil water content determination; Measurement of soil water potential by using tensiometer; Soil-moisture characteristics; Aggregate analysis by wet and dry sieving methods; Measurement of Atterberg limits; Measurement of soil strength; Determination of saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity; Determination of infiltration rates.

1. Mathematics in Agriculture

Content: Vectors, matrices and determinants, inversion of matrices, Eigen values and Eigen vectors, Orthogonality, Grahm-Schmidt processes, least square problems. Trigonometric functions and relations. Differentiation, Integration, Integration, applications, linear equations, Non-linear equations, Polynomials, Partial differential equations. System of coordinates, Cartesian, cylindrical, spherical and polar coordinates, Threedimensional geometry, Relative motion of frame of reference. Probability, probability distributions and applications, Curve fitting, Regression, Correlation, Linear and non-linear. Geo-statistics, Averaging and scaling methods, Fourier analysis, Numerical approximation, Numerical analysis, finite element method, Monte carlo analysis, Stochastic methods, Iterative and optimal techniques.

1. Fundamentals of Meteorology

Content: Atmosphere and its constituents, weather and climate; meteorology- meaning and scope; historical development; meteorological elements, instruments for measurement of meteorological elements; different branches of meteorology. Meteorological observatory and its classes; theory and working principles of surface meteorological instruments; automatic weather station; meteorological organizations – IMD, NCMRWF, IITM, WMO. Unit III Sun and earth; solar radiation and Laws of radiations-Plancks law, Stefan-Boltzman Law, Wiens displacement law, Kirchoffs law, solar constant; radiation receipt on earth surface; atmospheric and astronomical factors affecting solar radiation; ozone hole; albedo and net radiation sensible and latent heat, direct and diffuse radiation; radiation balance of the earth and atmosphere. Thermal profile of the atmosphere; variation of pressure with height; hydrostatic equation and its application in atmosphere; geopotential, standard atmosphere, altimetry; concept of specific heat at constant volume and pressure; First and second law of thermodynamics, gas laws. Atmospheric moisture, vapour pressure, relative humidity, absolute humidity, specific humidity, mixing ratio, dew point temperature, vapour pressure deficit, psychromatric equations, T-phi diagram; lapse rates; Vertical stability of atmosphere, Virtual and potential temperature, moist and dry adiabatic process; tropical convection. Atmospheric motion; balancing forces- pressure gradient and Coriolis forces; isobar; pressure systems; geostrophic, cyclostrophic, thermal and gradient winds; trough, ridge and col; Divergence and vertical motion Rossby, Richardson, Reynolds and Froude numbers. Cyclonic and anticyclonic motions, tropical and extra-tropical cyclones and their structure, cyclone tracks over Indian regions; Air masses and fronts; Land and sea breeze; Mountain and valley winds. Clouds and their classification, theories of cloud formation, condensation nuclei, precipitation processes; artificial rain making, thunderstorms and dust storms; haze, mist, fog and dew, hail, hail suppression, fog and cloud – dissipation. Weather charts and its reading, weather forecasting – now-cast, short, medium and long-range forecasting, numerical weather prediction; synoptic charts and synoptic approach to weather forecasting. Meteorological satellites for weather forecasts; forecast of Indian monsoon rainfall.

Practical: Visit to meteorological observatory; meteorological instruments, Recording of weather parameters; Calculation of daily, weekly and monthly statistics; Exploration of meteorological websites – IMD, NCMRWF, IITM and WMO; Calculation of standard meteorological weeks and Julian days; Visual classification of clouds; Understanding synoptic weather charts; Climatic normal, climatic chart and identification of low and high pressure systems.

1. Principles of Biophysics

Content: Introduction and scope of biophysics, Weak and strong interactions in biological syst Experimental techniques used for separation and characterization of bio-molecules: sedimentation, ultra-centrifugation, diffusion, osmosis, viscosity, polarization and electrophoresis, chromatography, amino acid and nucleotide sequence analysis. Spectroscopic techniques for bio-molecular characterization: UV-Visible, IR, NMR, EPR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction & its application in biology. Physics of photosynthesis, transpiration, chlorophyll fluorescence, principles of thermal and fluorescence imaging and its application in agriculture. Principles of magnetic seed treatment and its application in agriculture, Transport phenomena in biological systems, active and passive transport; absorption and germination kinetics of seeds, tissue water status and its characterization by NMR, principles of NIR and its application in non-destructive characterization of grain quality. Fiber physics; strength, physical properties, micronaire, elastic properties, tensile strength, thermal resistance, water absorption, breaking, elongation, crystallinity. Bio-energetic- First and second laws of thermodynamics- Heat, work, entropy and free energy, Concept of negative entropy & its application in living systems; Information theory.

Practical: Spectroscopy-Verification of Beer-Lambert’s law; Spectroscopy-Absorption spectrum of chlorophyll a & b; Viscometer-Measurement of intrinsic viscosity and molecular mass; Polarimeter-Measurement of molar rotation;  Measurement of leaf water potential; Measurement of Osmotic potential of seed; NMR spectroscopy- Relaxation time measurements, NMR Spectroscopy oil content measurement; Leaf Photosynthesis, Measurement of LAI.

1. Principles of Remote Sensing

Content: Introduction, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic spectrum, physics of remote sensing, radiation interactions with the atmosphere and target, radiometric quantities, BRDF/BRF, remote sensing systems, characteristics of images. Platforms, orbits, classification of sensors, satellite characteristics, pixel size, and scale, spectral, radiometric and temporal resolution. Spectral signatures of natural targets in optical and thermal regions, physical basis of signatures, spectral indices. Imaging and nonimaging systems, multispectral imaging, hyperspectral imaging, thermal imaging, microwave and LIDAR, Fluorescence imaging, aerial remote sensing. Weather, land, ocean and other observation satellites, Indian remote sensing satellites, data reception, data products. Thermal remote sensing: Principles, signature, measurements, IR detection and imaging technology. Microwave remote sensing: principles, signatures, interferometry, radar basics, viewing geometry and spatial resolution, image distortion, target interaction, image properties. Image analysis: Visual interpretation, digital image processing, pre-processing, enhancement, transformations, classification, accuracy, integration, processing of multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal and microwave images. Overview of remote sensing applications in earth resource management: agriculture, meteorology, forestry, land cover/land use, water resources.

Practical: Use of Spectroradiometer, Use of FTIR, Spectral signatures of different materials; Derivation and analysis of vegetation indices; Analysis of emissivity spectra; Familiarization with satellite imagery (FCC) Visual Image Interpretation; Satellite data acquisition and satellite Data Receiving Station; Digital Image processing – Introduction to software, GPS and Ground truth Collection; Digital image processing: Pre-processing, Enhancement and training site collection, classification and Post Classification Accuracy Assessment.

1. Physics of Soil and Water Conservation

Content: History of soil erosion; geological and accelerated erosion; agents of soil erosion; acceptable limits of soil erosion. Physics of soil erosion by water; types of water erosion - sheet erosion, splash erosion, rill erosion, gully erosion; specialized forms of soil erosion- pedestal erosion, pinnacle erosion, piping, slumping. Soil erodibility; factors affecting soil erodibility - soil physical characteristics, land management, crop management; soil erodibility indices; empirical constants. Rainfall erosivity; estimation of rainfall erosivity - EI30index and kinetic energy, and their calculations; erosivity indices. Runoff measurements – current meters, flumes, weirs and orifice, stage level recorder, hydrographs; runoff estimation - quantities and rates of runoff, Rational formula, Cook’s method. Sediment measurement - multiplot divisor, Coshocton wheel sampler, point and depth integrated sediment samplers; universal soil loss equation; estimation of soil loss and its prediction. Physics of wind erosion - wind velocity, initiation and movement of soil particles; saltation, suspension and surface creep; soil physical properties affecting wind erosion. Overview of soil and water conservation in India; soil and water conservation research; techniques for soil and water conservation for agricultural and nonagricultural land - use of mechanical structures and biological methods; wind erosion control. Concept of watershed development and management - size and shape of watershed; characterization and management of watersheds using remote sensing and GIS; understanding concept of integrated watershed management through case studies.

Practical: Determination of soil erodibility indices - suspension percentage, dispersion ratio, erosion ratio, clay ratio, clay/moisture equivalent ratio, percolation ratio, raindrop erodibility index; computation of kinetic energy of falling rain drops; Measurement of land slope using Abney’s level; Computation of rainfall erosivity index (EI30) using rain gauge data; Estimation of surface runoff/water flow using different techniques; Estimation of soil loss.

1. General Climatology

Content: Sun and earth, solar system, solar constant; latitudes and longitudes of the earth, seasons, rotation and revolution, solstices and equinoxes, radiation receipt on earth surface, radiation balance of the earth and atmosphere. Earth’s environment- atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere: Atmospheric constituents: Weather and climate- weather and climatic elements. Climatic controls, latitudinal and seasonal variation of insolation, temperature, pressure belts & wind system, precipitation. Climatic classification: Koppen and Thornthwaite systems, Hargreaves, Troll, Trewartha and Papadakis systems. Climatic types- continental, maritime and monsoon climate; climatic indices, climatic zones. Climatology of India; monsoons -origin, branches onset, progress and withdrawal of south-west monsoon monsoon breaks, rainfall variability; El Nino, La Nina, QBO (quasi-biennial oscillation) and ENSO and their impacts on Indian economy. North-east monsoon. North- western disturbances and nor ’wester shower. Climate change and global warming, disastrous weather and climatic events in different regions and their frequencies. Heat & cold wave, frost, dust storm, lightning & thunderstorm, cyclone, cloud burst, drought and flood - their impacts on public life and agriculture. Drought climatology- Concept, definition, types of drought and their causes; rainfall and its variability, intensity, duration, beginning and end of drought and wet spells; moisture availability indices; Monitoring of drought; drought indices, crop water stress index, crop stress detection;

Practical: Calculations of climatic normal; Determination of climate type of particular station using different climate classification systems; Rainfall probability analysis; Computation of drought indices; Indices for extreme weather events; Climatic water balance for climate classification.

1. Soil Physical Environment and Plant Growth

Content: Introduction: Effect of soil physical properties on plant growth - soil water, soil air, soil temperature, mechanical impedance and tillage practices. Soil water: Soil moisture – plant water relations, available water, newer concepts of water availability, least limiting water range, soil-plant-atmosphere system as a physical continuum, plant uptake of soil moisture, evaporation, transpiration and evapotranspiration, dynamics of water in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Root growth – germination and seedling emergence, hydraulic properties of roots, characterization of root growth parameters, water balance of the root zone, soil physical properties and root growth, flow of water to roots. Soil Temperature – effect of soil temperature on plant growth, soil temperature management, thermal regimes, mulching, radiation – heat budget and energy balance in the field, radiation use efficiency, radiation exchange in the field, exchange of heat and vapour to the atmosphere. Aeration – critical oxygen concentration and factors affecting. Field water balance – field water balance, irrigation and water use efficiency, consumptive use, plant uptake of soil moisture. Nutrient uptake and use by plants, managing soil physical condition for improved nutrient use efficiency, integrated nutrient management in relation to soil physical condition. Resource conservation technologies- bed planting & zero-tillage - types, suitability and effect on soil physical properties, other resource conservation technologies and the impact (short and long term) on soil health. Modelling: Interactions of soil, management and climatic factors on plant growth, development of sustainability indices.

Practical: Measurement of penetration resistance and LLWR, Plant water potential; Field saturated hydraulic conductivity, transpiration using Porometer; Root Length Density, Root Diameter, Root weight using Root Scanner, plant N content; Germination percentage as affected by temperature; Estimation of evapotranspiration losses, estimation of consumptive water use, production functions, field water balance components, water uptake by plants.

1. Simulation of Soil, Plant and Atmospheric Processes

Content: Fundamentals of dynamic simulation, systems, models and simulation. Descriptive and explanatory models, modelling techniques steps, states, rates and driving variables, feedbacks and relational diagrams. Numerical integration, introduction to FST language. Modelling crop environment and crop pest interactions, soil water, nitrogen and balance, introduction to a simple crop ecological model, applications of simulation modelling in environmental impact assessment and greenhouse gas emission. Data requirements and limitations of modelling; modelling crop-environment and pest interaction, soil, water, nitrogen and C balance; assessing crop growth, scheduling and management practices and water use planning through simulation tools.

Practical: Scheduling planting and harvesting of crops; Drawing relational diagrams; Applying numerical integration techniques; Fitting probability distribution functions; Hands on model validation through statistical indices; FST programming language; Hands on to InfoCrop model; Assessing crop growth through InfoCrop model; Hands on to USAR model, Crop rotation & water use planning through USAR model.

1. Principles and Applications of GIS and GPS

Content: Introduction; History of cartography and maps. Basic concepts and principles; hardware and software requirements; common terminologies of geographic information system (GIS). Geographical data structures; relational database management system; overview of MS Access. Maps and projections: principles of cartography; Basic geodesy: Geoid/ Datum/ Ellipsoid; cartographic projections, coordinate systems, types and scales; accuracy of maps. GIS data collection, linking spatial and non-spatial data; Errors and quality control, data output. Raster based GIS: spatial referencing, definition and representation, data structure, advantages and disadvantages; Vector based GIS: Definition, concept, data structure, capture and Vector and raster formats, vector to raster and raster to vector conversion, advantages and disadvantages. Principles of graph theory, topology and geometry; spatial analysis: statistical analysis, measurement, proximity (buffering), overlay analysis, classification, network analysis, multicriteria analysis, site suitability analysis, nearest neighbour analysis. Surface modelling: Thiessen polygon, interpolation, DEM; Geostatistical analyses, spatial and non-spatial query. Software and hardware requirements of GIS; Integrated image analysis and GIS; GIS for modelling. Web GIS/ Geoportal, 3D GIS, object-oriented GIS, mobile GIS, knowledge-based GIS; data warehousing, data mining; metadata, data interoperability, open GIS consortium, GIS customization, DSS and SDSS. Applications of GIS for water resources, agriculture, precision farming, disaster management, e-governance, Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS). Basic Concepts, segments, working principles; Measuring distance and timing, errors in GPS data and correction; Differential GPS; Integration of GPS data with GIS data, use of GPS in remote sensing analysis; Past, present and future status of GPS; Applications of GPS in agriculture and natural resource management.

Practical: Overview of current GIS software: ArcMap/ArcGIS/QGIS; Introduction to MS Access; Data input (spatial data); digitization and scanning; Data input: editing, Data input: non-spatial attributes and linking with spatial data; Database creation and map registration; Spatial analysis: Surface modelling, overlaying, buffering, neighbourhood analysis, Coordinate data collection through GPS and its integration with GIS.

1. Nanoscience and Technology for Agriculture

Content: Outline of the course; Nanostructure: growth of compound semiconductors, super lattices, self-assembled quantum dots, Nano-particles, nano tubes and Nano wires, fullerenes (buck balls, grapheme), Nanofabrication and nano-patterning; Optical, X-ray, and electron beam lithography, self-assembled organic layers, Process of synthesis of nano powders, Electro-deposition, Important nano materials. Mechanical properties, Magnetic properties, Electrical properties, Electronic conduction with nano particles, Investigating and manipulating materials in the nanoscale; Electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, optical microscopy for nano science and technology, X-ray diffraction, scanning tunnelling microscopy, atomic force microscopy. Nano-biology: Interaction between biomolecules and nano-particle surface, Different types of inorganic materials used for the synthesis of hybrid nano-bio assemblies. Applications of nano in agriculture, current status of nano biotechnology, Future perspectives of Nanobiology, Nano sensors. Types of nanomaterial hazard their identification, toxicity and exposure assessment, threshold limit, characterization, health risk assessment.

1. Remote Sensing in Agriculture

Content: Scope of remote sensing in agriculture, sensors platforms and data availability for agricultural remote sensing and recent developments. Remote Sensing of soil spectroscopy of soils, differentiation and identification of soils, soil parameters by hyperspectral remote sensing, soil survey and resource mapping, soil health. Crop identification and discrimination, crop acreage estimation, monitoring of crop growth and phenology, yield modelling and forecasting. Retrieval of crop biophysical parameters – empirical and radiative transfer approaches, assessing crop abiotic and biotic stresses, monitoring agricultural drought and early warning, crop loss assessment and insurance using remote sensing. Land use/ land cover mapping and change detection analysis, land use modelling, cropping system analysis land planning with reference to different agro eco-regions, land degradation process (Salinity, waterlogging, etc) and their evaluation by remote sensing. Role of remote sensing in water resource development and management, identification of ground water potential zones, generation of different thematic maps for integrated watershed management; Microwave remote sensing for crop and soil studies, soil moisture mapping, flood assessment and management by remote sensing. Precision farming principles - VRT, Modern techniques and machines. Remote sensing for plant phenotyping, post-harvest quality assessment.

Practical: Use of Infrared thermometry and spectral data for crop stress monitoring; Hyperspectral data for soil and crop characterization; Computation of Spectral Indices for Soil and Vegetation; BRDFs and Radiative transfer modelling, processing of microwave remote sensing data; Salinity mapping from remote sensing data; Pre-processing of time series satellite data; Crop discrimination and acreage estimation; Crop yield modelling from satellite data; Land use land cover classification and change detection; Drought and crop condition monitoring, processing of image data for plant phenotyping.

Organic Farming

1. Concepts and Principles of Organic Farming

Content: Concepts and principles of organic farming History and evolution of organic farming in the world and India. Scenario of organic farming in India and world, global market for organic products, IFOAM’s Guiding principles of organic farming, conversion to organic agriculture, advantages and limitations. Definitions and types of organic farming Definitions of organic farming, types of organic farming such as natural farming, zero chemical natural farming, bio dynamic farming, biological farming, compost farming, Natueco culture, integrated farming, homa farming, permaculture etc, traditional farming systems in India and evolving indigenous knowledge systems Conventional vs Organic farming Philosophy of two farming systems, fundamental differences, productivity issues, management protocols, food quality, nutritional differences and impact of conventional practices on soil fertility, natural resources, environment and overall social perception. Myths and realities about organic farming in addressing nutritional security and food safety need vis-à-vis national food security. Advocacy, Ethics, health and social issues in organic farming Advocacy for organic farming with sustainability, resource conservation and food safety issues. Advocacy through overall farm productivity under diversified cropping systems. Spirituality values and ethics in organic farming. Socio economic importance of organic farming: concept measurements and issues. Need for ethical practices and values across the organic agriculture value chain including trading and reaching to consumers. Organic farming for sustainability, resource conservation, climate change issues and safe and healthy food General concerns on sustainability, climate change issues threatening sustainability, potential of organic farming practices in addressing sustainability and climate change. Resource conservation through organic farming, rainwater conservation and preservation of native seeds and germplasm an essential component of organic farming, Consumers concerns on food quality and safety, organic farming for safe and healthy food, ITKs potential and role in sustainability of modern organic farming practice.

1. Soil Fertility, Crop Nutrition and Nutrient Inputs

Content:  Soil – Source of Infinite Life Soil as source of life, fundamentals of soil structure and quality, soil fertility, physico-chemical parameters and soil as living entity in organic farming. Soil fertility and productivity History of soil fertility and plant nutrition. Factors affecting; features of good management; problems of supply and availability of nutrients; relation between nutrient supply and crop growth; Criteria of essentiality of nutrients; Essential plant nutrients – their functions, nutrient deficiency symptoms; transformation and dynamics of major plant nutrients. Soil fertility evaluation Physico-chemical soil testing, biological methods for soil health evaluation, plant and tissue tests; soil quality in relation to sustainable agriculture. Nutrient requirement modeling based on soil health and resources availability. Soil Conservation and Soil Water Management Principles of soil and water conservation, general practices for soil and water conservation, soil carbon buildup and biomass recycling. Soil biology and role of microorganisms in soil fertility management Soil as a habitat for microorganisms, Soil microorganisms, Soil microbial ecology, Soil microbial biomass, Soil enzymes – origin, activity and importance. Microbial management of agricultural, domestic and industrial wastes for potential application in organic farming. Microbiology of composting and bio-methanation. Biodegradation of xenobiotics. Bioremediation – principles and application. Nutrient recycling Nitrogen, phosphorus and potash cycles, management for nutrient recycling, methods for recycling and reducing nutrient losses. Management practices Management practices in organic agriculture (mulching, fallowing, intercropping, manuring, crop rotation, agro-forestry, mixed farming). Organic fertilizers and composting technology Compositing principles and factors affecting composting, dynamics of compositing, methods of composting, different forms of composts with nutrient profiles, Rapid methods of composting, liquid manures, compost enrichment through concentrates, minerals and micronutrients. Field application of compost and their response to crops. Vermicomposting technology Earthworm biology, principles of vermicomposting, methods for vermicompost production, nutrient profiling, field application and its response to crop yields. Biofertilizers Different types of biofertilizers, their contribution to soil fertility and nutrient pool, factors affecting their application and response, assessment of biofertilizers application to crop yields. Addressing nutrient deficiencies and mineral fortification of composts (P, K, S and micro nutrients) Identification of deficiency, need assessment, identification of mineral resource, fortification of composts and impact assessment on application. Indigenous practices in soil fertility and nutrient management Indigenous inputs such as liquid manures, Jivamrit, Panchgavya, on-farm protein hydrolysates, plant extracts, dung-urine slurries etc, their production methods and effect of their application on soil fertility and crop productivity.

Practical: Introduction of analytical instruments and their principles, calibration and applications, Determination of soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, total and available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur and DTPA extractable micronutrients in soil and their interpretations. Biological health assessment through dehydrogenases, soil microbial carbon and soil respiration; Making of composts through aerobic and anaerobic methods; Making of vermicomost using earthworms; Analysis of manures and composts for NPK and heavy metals; Microbial profiling of Jivamrit/ panchgavy

1. Organic Crop Production systems

Content: Fundamentals of organic farm management and conversion Salient features of organic farm management, strategies for conversion to organic, step-by-step planning, integration of contamination control measures, planning for on-farm input production and supplementary off-farm inputs, planning for rain water harvesting and water conservation approaches including efficient irrigation systems and moisture preservation techniques, visit to organic farms and study on farmer’s best practices for conversion. Management of diversity and cropping systems Importance of diversity, installation of diversity through plantation of utility trees, nitrogen fixing tree hedges, habitat management for friendly insects and birds and nitrogen fixing crops as intercrops. Importance of cropping systems management with long term planning, crop rotations, intercropping, multi cropping, relay cropping, multi-layered cropping. Nutrient management Components of nutrient management in organic crop production, assessment of crop nutrient requirements, calculation of nutrient credits from on-farm practices and resources such as intercrops, cover crops, biomass mulching, calculating additional input requirements. Managing nutrient needs through use of organic manures, viz. FYM, compost, Vermicompost, oil cakes, in-situ and ex-situ green manuring, crop residue management, use of restricted organic nutrient sources, liquid organic manures and dung urine slurries, methods of manuring and biomass application, split application of manures, foliar feeding as replacement of top dressing, ITKs and farmers innovations in nutrient management Integration of microbial and mineral inputs Importance of bio fertilizers, types of biofertilizers, nutrient potential, methods of application, enriching manures/ composts with biofertilizers, identifying the need for use of supplementary mineral sources and their integration in nutrient management package. Weed management Prevention of weeds through cropping systems management, crop geometry, stale seedbed technique, summer ploughing, soil solarisation, cover crops, mulching, flooding, biological weed management, selection of suitable physical and mechanical approaches and biological and plastic mulches. Water and Irrigation Management Soil-water relation, theories of water availability, water use efficiency management, methods of irrigation and automation in irrigation systems, irrigation scheduling in different crops. Modeling of agronomic practices and nutrient management protocols for some important agricultural and horticultural crops Identification of compatible associate and intercrops/ companion crops, placing trap crops and insectary plants in cropping geometry, making provisions for nutrient credits from biomass mulching, intercrops and green manures, making provisions for nutrient credits from microbial enrichment with microbial/ liquid manure inputs, balance nutrient requirement modeling and identification of inputs and planning for quantity and time of application. Crop growth and yield analysis Crop growth expressions in plants, growth measurements, important growth indices and forms of growth analysis in field crops. Factors determining yield. Use of growth analysis technique to study variation in yield due to planting season, planting density, fertilizer treatment, other agronomic practices, light, temperature, water, growth substances, varietal differences. Crop response curves. Dynamics of crop growth and modeling. Success stories of effective crop management with optimum yields of practicing organic farmers (one in irrigated systems and one in rainfed systems) Field visit, documentation of farming system with inputs and outputs, identification of practices important for organic systems, nutrient management practices, pest management protocols, yields and economics. Salient features for success and for further replication in crop production modeling.

Practical: Visit to organic farms and study general nutrient management practices, documentation of farming system with inputs and outputs and crop growth analysis using crop growth analysis techniques • Getting acquainted with different tilling methods and rain water harvesting and water conservation techniques; Production of liquid manures and dung-urine slurries; Production of customized composts using FYM/ Compost, mineral nutrients and biofertilizers, assessment of nutrient profiles in enriched composts; Methods of application for biofertilizers; Weed management practices, tools and efficacy of different approaches; Modelling of agronomic practices for a given cropping system with use of available resources.

1. Plant Health Management

Content: Classification of pest organisms Classification of pests, viz. weeds, bacteria, nematodes, fungi, insects, viruses, vertebrates, etc, identification of pests and beneficial organisms. General principles of plant health management in organic farming Principles of pest management in organic crop production; Pest surveillance and pest population estimation; concept of economic injury levels (EILs) and economic threshold levels (ETLs), principles of Agro Eco-System Analysis (AESA) based pest management, estimation of Pest: Defender (P: D) ratio, understanding AESA methodology. Biology of pests and population dynamics Population dynamics in relation to environment, distribution, identification; Life cycle of key pests of cereals, pulses, vegetables, stored grains, fruit crops and protected cultivation. Ecological strategies for pest management Proper sanitation, appropriate fertilization, necessary pruning, timing of planting to escape infection, crop rotation, avoidance of endemic sites, space management for sunlight and air, plant quarantine, etc. Cultural and physical control strategies Importance and use of traps, coloured plates, pheromones, use of insectary plants, trap crops and planning for diversity plant integration as border crops, hedge rows, intercrops, etc. Biological control Conservation of natural enemies, classical biological control systems, important beneficial insects and their integration and use in different cropping systems. Biopesticides Biopesticides, types, mode of action, production, methods of application and impact assessment on crops and pest load. Botanical pest management Using different plants for management of different pests, methods for using such plants and active ingredient extraction methodologies, formulation of usable solutionsand methodologies for application. Integrated strategies, development of crop specific integrated management modules, importance and need for chemical alternatives permitted in organic farming, methods for use and application. Indigenous practices and their importance in plant protection Indigenous practices of avoiding pests, managing pests, important plants being used since ages and innovative botanical and fermentation inputs developed by farmers for pest management. Pest control of produce in storage Physical, mechanical and biological approaches, modified environment, management of hygiene and phyto-sanitary approaches, use of organically acceptable fumigants such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Practical: Collection and Identification of major/ key pests and plant diseases; Estimation of pest population, nature of damage, assessment of crop losses; Familiarization with important crop pests & diseases and their biological control agents; Demonstration/ familiarization with various tools of insect-pest & disease management; Mass rearing techniques of important biological control agents; Preparation of organic/ natural formulations for insect-pest & disease management; Evaluation of organic formulations for determining their pesticidal properties and field efficacy; Preparation and validation of traditional formulations.

1. Post Harvest-handling of Organic Produce

Content: Pre/Postharvest Factors for Post-harvest Losses of Organic Produce Pre and post-harvest factors responsible for causing organic produce losses. Principles and practices responsible for losses of organic agricultural produce. Qualitative, quantitative, nutritional and socioeconomic losses. Loss assessment and estimation techniques and their limitations and methods for reducing postharvest losses. Introduction to Value Chain and Handling of Fresh Organic Products for Processing Management of hygiene and phyto-sanitary measures, measures to reduce field heat, cleaning and washing, control of enzymatic and non-enzymatic changes, transportation, sorting, grading, peeling, sampling and size reduction, packaging, labelling; handling methods for fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Organic Food Processing and Preservation Fundamental principles for food processing in organic farming, acceptable processing techniques, use of preservatives, processing aids, flavouring agents and nutrient supplement in organic food and feed processing. Food Standards and Residue Analysis/ Toxicology Fundamental principles of food standards, HACCP system, US and European Export/ Import standards for different crops, MRLs, sources of contamination, assessment and management of residues and toxins in food, critical control points, heavy metals and pesticide residue analysis, analytical methods and tools. Interpretation of residue analysis reports, analysis protocols and GMO report analysis. Principles of Packaging Characteristics of packaging materials for organic food, packaging requirements for fresh and processed organic food for local and international markets, labelling requirements for fresh and processed organic food for local and international markets, labelling requirements and management integrity.

Practicals: Study of maturity indices for harvest of organic fruits, vegetables, spices and plantation crops; Determination of physiological loss in weight and respiration rate in fruits and vegetables; Determination of chemical constituents like sugar, starch, pigments, vitamin C, carotenes, acidity during maturation and ripening in fruits/ vegetables; Protective skin coating with organic wax emulsion to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables; Study of effect of precooling on shelf-life and quality of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers; Study of packages-bulk and consumer packs for different fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices; Study of construction and working of zero energy cool chamber. Study of storage behaviour of different fruits and vegetables in zero energy cool chamber; Preparation and preservation of fruit-based beverages and blended products from fruits and vegetables; HACCP analysis, residue analysis in organic products. Visit to packaging centres, local markets, cooperative organisations, super markets dealing with marketing of organic perishables.

1. Farming Systems Concepts and Practices for Organic Farming

Content: Introduction Farming systems: Definition, importance, classification and scope, Classification of farming systems according to type of rotation, intensity of rotation, degree of commercialization, water supply, enterprises, Concept of sustainability in farming systems, role of integrated farming systems in agriculture, approaches. Agro-ecology Concepts and practices, Agro-ecology and the design of Sustainable Agro-ecosystems, Ecological processes to optimize in agro-ecosystems, Sustainable Agriculture: Basic Definitions and Concepts, Alternative Sustainable Farming Systems, Low external input sustainable agriculture. Enterprises selection and Integration Natural Farming Systems, Intentional Integrated Farming Systems, Pre-dominant farming systems in various regions, Eco-physiological approaches component selection and integration, Complementary and competitive interaction, Primary, Secondary, Complimentary and Supplementary enterprises for organic farming, livestock based systems, vertical farming, Principles and Practices of organic livestock production, Principles of organic aquaculture, Organic fruit and vegetable production practices, Models of integrated farming systems for irrigated ecosystems and rainfed ecosystems. Modeling of farming systems Simulation models for intercropping, farming system design using farm design for various resource conditions, Linear programming, Multi-objective criteria decision making, Fuzzy logic analysis, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based modeling, DSSAT, Infocrop, Cropsyst, Livesim. Integrated Organic Farming Systems Concepts, Principles, Strategies, Diversity plantations, Diversified cropping systems, crop rotations, soil fertility management, Selection of seeds, varieties and planting material, nutrient management, weed and pest management, integration of livestock, breeds and allied activities, In-situ recycling of Organic Wastes, Products and processes of composting, Component optimization, Market input chain, family employment generation, case studies, supplementary, Complimentary and substitution effects under dry-land, irrigated, wetland and hill-zone eco systems. Soil-crop-livestock-human chain Bio-nutrition concepts, design of farming systems for nutrition, Household level production of food, feed, fodder, fertilizer, fuel and fibre from farming systems.  Secondary Agriculture Product diversification, Process diversification, processing of marketable surplus produces, packaging, branding and marketing. Contract Farming Farming system based cluster formation, production, processing and marketing, legal aspects of contract farming. Specialized farming systems Protected cultivation, high value crops based systems, water based farming systems, region specific integrated farming systems, medicinal herb based systems. Farming System diversification Existing scenario of farming systems, need for diversification, methods of diversification, horizontal and vertical diversification. Four P Model of organic farming system 4P (Planning, Production, Processing and Promotion) model of organic farming systems. Ecological Engineering Principles and Practices, Ecological engineering approach of soil fertility and pest management, examples of ecological engineering in traditional farming systems, case studies.

Practical: Agro-ecosystem analysis: Field study of farming systems in the context of production flows, energy flows and pest dynamics using quantitative tools; Farming System typology analysis and clustering of group of farmers; Synthesis of organic farming system model for a given region using primary and secondary data; Estimation of ecological, economic, social and sustainable livelihood indicators for a given farming system • Design of alternative farming systems using Farm Design and other available modelling tools; Experiential learning on different enterprises; Documentation of farming system case studies.

1. Organic Certification, Standards and Regulations

Content: National and international regulations on quality assurance and certification National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), National Standards for Organic Production (NSOP), USDA NOP Programme and standards, EU Organic standards, Codex Alimentarius, Canada Organic regulation and important differences between NPOP and international standards. FSS Act 2006 for organic food, basic requirements, enforcement, standard operating procedures and verification in value chain. ISO systems for quality assurance (ISO 17065, ISO 17011, ISO 19011 etc) and accreditation processes What is ISO, salient features and functions of ISO, ISO systems for auditing, ISO 17065 for auditing and certification agencies, ISO 19011 Inspection protocols, ISO17011 Accreditation requirements, ISO 17025 Accreditation of quality analysis laboratories. Accreditation procedure and policies under NPOP, Essential requirements and competence for making an organic certification body, Conflict of interest management. Types of certification systems (NPOP and PGS), standards and procedures NPOP - A third party certification systems, Certification bodies operational policies and functions, National standards for crop production, livestock, Aquaculture, Processing and handling and other miscellaneous systems. Tracenet the online data management tool and traceability management PGS – Participatory Guarantee Systems – Evolution of PGS Systems, Guiding principles, PGS Standards, International scenario on PGS development Procedure for organic guarantee under PGS systems, PGS-India programme, operation of PGS-India programme, institutional structure, PGS-India Data management platform, management of traceability. On-field management of standard compliance and documentation Issues for implementation of standards on field such as conversion period, contamination control, fertility management, living condition requirement for livestock, management of integrity in processing and handling, Fundamental policy for inspections, step-by-step inspection protocols, Development of inspection formats and inspection checklists. Documentation requirements such as organic system plan, field operation register, input and cultural practices record, processing record, purchase and sales records and product flow in processin. Individual and grower group certification management Basic requirements for certification management by (a) Individual producer and (b) Grower/ producer groups. Applicability and types of systems covered. Inspection (under NPOP) and peer review (under PGS) systems Fundamental principles of inspection, checklists and inspection parameters, general policy frame work NPOP – Third party inspection procedure, risk assessment, documentation and record keeping review, physical verification of facilities, fields and stables, production facilities, estimated yield/production assessment, tracking the product flow throughout the process, chain of custody. Review of inspection forms and checklists and certification decisions. PGS-India – Peer review principles, making of peer review committees and peer review checklists, analysis of peer review checklists and certification decisions. Submission of summary sheets to Regional councils and assessment and endorsement of certification decisions. Certification of crop, livestock, aquaculture and other systems Standards, their implementation in production systems, measures for contamination control, integrity management, sanitation and hygiene, input evaluation procedures, development of process tracking checklists. Certification of processing, handling, trading and management of traceability Standards, their implementation in production/ processing and handling systems, measures for contamination control, integrity management, sanitation and hygiene, packaging and labelling, development of process tracking checklists. Internal control system management in large farmer groups under NPOP Large farmer groups, essential requirements, internal control systems, development of ICS operating manual, management of ICS, internal inspections, risk assessment, assessment of internal inspections and certification decisions, additional documentation for groups, produce/ output management and sale record management. PGS Group development and PGS certification management Essential requirements for local groups, development of local group operating manuals, requirements of group meetings and trainings, decision making by farmers, operational policies for Regional Councils, developing operating manual for Regional councils, assessment of summary sheets and decisions of local groups, procedure for decision endorsement and certification granting.

Practical: Documentation of certification procedures, acquaintance with record keeping, handling, labeling and preparation of farmers IDs for developing ICS; Visit to certification bodies, certified farms, certified processing and handling operations; Development of organic system plan for specific production system; Development of inspection format and checklists for specific production system; Development of operating procedures on specific aspects; Risk assessment on organic farms and possible mitigating measures; Running of audit trails in certified operations; Mock inspections of different production systems; Exercise on inspection report/ peer evaluation checklist review and certification decision; Exercise on methods of yield assessment.

1. Value Chain Management

Content: Introduction What is value chain? Defining value chain and its finance (Internal value chain finance, External value chain finance, Interest around value chain finance in agriculture, interest in value chain finance in agriculture); Overview of value chain management. Understanding agricultural value chain finance Context, the concept of agricultural value chain finance, Agricultural value chain finance as an approach, Enabling environment (standards and certification, regulation and enforcement, macro-economic and social context), and Value chains and diversified livelihoods. Value chain business models Producer-driven value chain models, Buyer-driven value chain models, Facilitated value chain models, and Integrated value chain models. Case Study 1. On commercial village approach. Agricultural value chain finance instruments Product overview, Product financing (trader credit, input supplier credit, marketing company credit, lead firm financing), Receivables financing (Trade receivables finance, factoring and forfeiting), Physical asset collateralization (warehouse receipts, repurchase agreements, financial lease), Risk mitigation products (crop/ weather insurance, forward contracting, futures), Financial enhancements (securitization, loan guarantees, joint ventures). Case Study 2. Producer-driven financing of farm inputs: informal inventory credit; Case Study 3. Integrated financial instruments and value chain services. Innovations Value chain innovations, Financial innovations, Technological innovations (management systems, networks and exchanges, mobile phones and mobile banking), Infrastructural innovations, Policy and public sector innovations. Case Study 4. Technological innovations; Case Study 5. Avenues for sustainable agricultural development. Leadership Approaches for Successful Food Value Chains Values-Based Leadership, Values-Based Leadership in Practice, Leadership in succession. Organic food value chain management.

Practical: Collection, aggregation and value addition; Maintain quality and integrity of the product - practices and procedures, monitoring practices and procedures followed, record keeping systems, management practices and separation measures, handling and processing of organic products; Pest control - Treatments with pest regulating agents – permitted [physical barriers, sound, ultra-sound, light and UV-light, traps (incl. pheromone traps and static bait traps), temperature control, controlled atmosphere and diatomaceous earth] and prohibited; Ingredients - approved and prohibited ingredients (microorganisms, minerals, gases); Processing methods - permitted and prohibited mechanical, physical and biological’ Packaging - permissible biodegradable, recyclable, reusable systems and ecofriendly packaging; Labeling - labeling requirements for agricultural commodities and processed food; Storage and Transport - permitted conditions of storage to maintain product integrity; Food additives including carriers for use in production of processed organic food; Processing aids and other products for use for processing of ingredients of agricultural origin from organic production flavouring agents, Preparations of Micro-organisms, Ingredients; Approved products for packaging of organic foodstuffs incl. Permissible packaging material for aquaculture.

1. Marketing

Content: What is Marketing? Facets of marketing, Facilitating functions of a market, What’s special about agricultural markets? Pricing policy and Role of prices. Basics of Supply and Demand– Demand, Aggregate demand, Supply and Aggregate supply. Food Marketing Channel– Understanding the food marketing channel, Scenario Analysis. Market intelligence– Marketresearch, Production cost assessment, Projecting Revenues, Accounting, Market Selection. Organic production and domestic market size, Institutional context and regulations (such as NPOP, NSOP, APGMC Act, PGS, FSSAI, Jaivik Bharat). Organic Food Distribution System– Domestic market structures, and classification framework, urban organic retail models, Organic specialty stores, markets and health food stores. Direct marketing and Community Supported Agriculture. Market Potential for Organic Foods– Consumer preferences and perceptions (organic sensitivity, building awareness on organic foods and consumer needs, shopping Behavior, factors influencing purchases of new foods), general trade and organized retail. e-Marketing and e-Consumer Perceptions and Behaviour– Why organic food, source and perception of organic foods, uses of organic food, resistance to use organic products, source of awareness, organic food-is it a fad?, On-line retail and home delivery services, role of advertising and choice of media, understanding the role of quality in marketing, perception of health benefits and assurance/certification. Accessibility of organic foods, premiums and willingness to pay premiums, role of retailer. Efficient supply chains and retail channels, sustainability of supply chain. Consumer purchase Behavior and habits– Shopping Behavior, role of influencer in decision making, concern over adulteration, chemicals, loss of nutrients and vitamins during processing and manufacturing and its impact on marketing and sale. Challenges and success stories– Success stories in organic marketing, organizational models, their advantages, challenges, limitations and legal context.

1. Research Methodology and Biostatistics

Content: Experimental techniques: Research design, sampling, data collection, On-station experimentation, On-Farm experimentation, tabulation, Statistical tools and analysis techniques for interpretation of data. Geo-referenced characterization: Questionnaire design principles, Questionnaire design for consumers of organic products, Questionnaire design for farmers and producers of organic products, Questionnaire design for processors/ traders/ exporters, Geo-spatial analysis and mapping of organic farms/ producers/ traders/ consumers. Meta data analysis: Concepts, statistical methods, clustering research results, Holism, Positivism, Objectivism, Reductionism, Constructivism, Subjectivism, data source, Variable coding and analysis, interpretation. Niche area and crops for organic farming: Parameters for niche area and crop, Different scales of niche area, Tools and steps in Niche area and crop identification, Parameterization and classification based on macro, regional and micro level. Climate resilience of organic farming: Methodology for identification of climate resilient production systems, GHG’s estimation using IPCC, GHG’s measurement using instrumentation, Global Warming Potential, Energy & Carbon budgeting. Breeding for organic production system: Conventional breeding strategies for organic production, participatory plant breeding, Marker aided selection, Stability analysis, Molecular characterization of indigenous organic inputs, Bio-chemical and molecular signature of organic produces. Commercial Project Formulation on Organic Farming: Internal rate of return, Pay Back period, B: C ratio, Net Present Value, Model project formulation for organic farming, Impact analysis tools and methods. Farming System model development: Synthesis of IFS models using primary and secondary data, classification, validation of farming systems. Notations in statistics: Basics of statistical notation, Algebric rules, designing a variable, standard notation for statistics. Descriptive statistics: Measures of central tendency, measures of variability, relative scores, measures of relationship, skewness, kurtosis. Introduction to statistical inference and testing of hypothesis: Statistical model, point estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, t-test, nonparametric alternative sign test.

Practical: Synthesis of farming system model; Estimation of GHG emission from IPCC tool; Meta data analysis using published papers; Identification and niche area and crops for a district or block; Identification of Climate resilient production system using long term meteorological data; Commercial project formulation; Geo-spatial analysis using GIS platform; Carbon and energy budgeting of an organic farm.

1. Organic Input Management and Production Technologies

Content: Introduction Need for on-farm and off-farm (external) organic inputs, types of organic inputs allowed under organic farming, regulatory scenarios and standards. Status of organic and biological input industry in the country. On-farm inputs soil fertility and nutrient management Types of on-farm inputs for soil fertility and nutrient management, their need assessment under specific cropping systems vis-à-vis soil test reports, methodologies for recycling of on-farm biomass and crop residue, innovative traditional inputs such as jivamrit, beejamrit, panchgavya etc. their microbial profiling and nutrient mobilization potential and standardized production methods, Oil cakes and their applications. On-farm inputs, plant health management and pest control Types of plant protection inputs and intervention approaches, use of biological and ecological approaches, preventive practices, Types of plants used in plant protection and their biological characterization for pest control, basic methodologies for active ingredient extraction and on-farm formulations. Composts and their value added products Types of composts, their characters, nutrient potential, composting methodologies (aerobic, anaerobic, NADEP, etc), value added composts, quality control parameters, commercial production methodologies for city waste compost, Phosphate Rich Organic manure (PROM), bio-organic manure, technologies for product formulations such as enrichment and granulations, etc. Biofertilizers Types of biofertilizers, standards for commercial products, testing methodologies, characterization and efficiency parameters, management of microorganisms in laboratory, production methodologies such as mother culture development, mass production through fermentation and fermentation parameters, mass scale culture techniques, product formulations, carrier-based inoculants, liquid inoculants and lyophilized inoculants. Microbial Biopesticides Types of biopesticides, standards for commercial products, testing methodologies, characterization and efficiency parameters, management of microorganisms in laboratory, production methodologies such as mother culture development, mass production through fermentation and fermentation parameters, mass scale culture techniques, product formulations, carrier based inoculants, liquid inoculants and lyophilized inoculants. Types of polyhedrosis and granulosis viruses and their production methodologies. Mass rearing of beneficial insects Introduction to beneficial insects such as pest predators and parasites, classification and identification, mass rearing technologies including rearing of host insects, Production of egg cards of beneficial insects and their release in the field. Botanical pesticides and other non-chemical pest protectants Type of non-chemical plant protection options, importance of soaps and oils important plants having pesticidal properties, plant parts having pesticidal active ingredient and their extraction methodologies, product formulation and stabilization for increased shelf life, field assessment of efficacy. Regulatory scenario and quality parameters.

Practical: Getting familiarized with on-farm soil fertility management inputs (such as beejamrit, jivamrit, panchgavyaetc), ingredients needed and production methodology. Preparation and quality assessment; Application of such inputs in small plots on selected crops and observation on growth; Production of different composts including vermicompost; Quality analysis of composts for nutrients and heavy metals; Biofertilizer organisms, their laboratory characterization, sub-culturing and mother culture development; Fermentation technology demonstration, production of bacterial broth in pilot scale fermenters; Biofertilizer product formulations and quality analysis methods; Study biopesticide organisms, laboratory culturing, mass cultivation using solid state fermentation, liquid fermentation and spore harvesting methods and product formulations; Visit to beneficial insect rearing laboratory and handling of insects including demonstration on tricho-cards production; Extraction of neem seed kernel extracts and neem oil. Production of botanical extracts and product formulation using emulsifiers; Study effect of various botanical extracts on insect pests; Preparation of Bordeaux mixtures and copper fungicide.