Agrobiology is the branch of biology that deals with agricultural plant growth in relation to soil conditions. In doing so, agrobiology investigates a variety of factors that relate to the growing conditions of plants, such as plant nutrition, plant stress, and soil composition.[1] Agrobiology is used to study ways to increase the yields of various agricultural crops, particularly the yields of cash crops,[2] as they serve economic and nutritional importance to the human population.
History of Agrobiology edit
Agrobiology was first coined as an independent scientific field in Oswin William Willcox's 1930 journal publication Principles of agrobiology.[3] However, the concept of maximizing the yields of crops has been around since the development of agriculture itself, Willcox simply put a name to it and allowed the field to be expanded on a scientific level.
As the human population began to exponentially increase after the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the requirement for a greater supply of sustainable food dramatically increased as well. Therefore, the concept of agrobiology and research in to the field was quickly adopted throughout the agricultural industry by farmers and scientists alike.
Today, agrobiology studies have advanced to the point of examining a wide variety of topics, such as the levels of microorganisms in soil and their effect on plant growth,[4] as well as the genetic basis behind plant survival.[5]
Health and Welfare of Livestock edit
Agrobiology is also extremely important in investigating the various factors which contribute to the health and welfare of livestock. By properly studying and maximizing the efficiency and production of crop yields, appropriate subsistence crops may be grown and sustained to support healthy livestock populations. This animal population is then used to maintain the developed agriculture, as well as enter the market as a variety of products to generate an economic return.[6]
Agricultural Advances edit
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By increasing research and knowledge in the field of agrobiology, improvements throughout all of agriculture may be made.[7] For example, by searching for ways to better sustain the health of soils and ecosystems through better management of our agricultural inputs, methods such as crop rotation and companion planting have been developed. These principles have existed for many years, demonstrating that agrobiology is historically important, and may be employed for future advancements.
Organic farming is an alternative agricultural practice that emerged in the early 20th century.[8] The concept of the practice is to solely utilize organic fertilizers and techniques, while prohibiting the use of synthetic materials. Agrobiology has played a major role in the recent development and re-emergence of organic farming, as studies have allowed farmers to better understand how to maximize their crops and ultimate returns.[9]
Agrobiology in Education edit
The importance of agrobiology is establishing itself in secondary education, as some universities are beginning to offer programs which specialize in agrobiology. One such university is Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark which offers an MSc in Agrobiology. This program at Aarhus University allows students to specialize in one of domestic animals, plants, the environment, or food.[10] Agrobiology is also offered as a Bachelor's degree in the Czech Republic at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague,[11] as well as the Kazakh National Agrarian University, in Almaty, Kazakhstan.[12]
Agrobiology is also establishing itself in the world of peer-reviewed studies, as there is a Journal of Agrobiology which has been published in the Czech Republic, with 2 issues a year since the year 2008.[13]
References edit
- ^ Maheshwari, Dinesh K; Saraf, Meenu; Aeron, Abhinav, eds. (2013). Bacteria in Agrobiology: Crop Productivity - Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-37241-4. ISBN 978-3-642-37240-7. S2CID 8377514.
- ^ Maheshwari, Dinesh K, ed. (2011). Bacteria in Agrobiology: Crop Ecosystems - Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-18357-7. ISBN 978-3-642-18356-0.
- ^ Willcox, Oswin William (1930). "Principles of agrobiology". Palmer Publishing Company.
- ^ Maheshwari, Dinesh K, ed. (2011). Bacteria in Agrobiology: Crop Ecosystems - Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-18357-7. ISBN 978-3-642-18356-0.
- ^ Jordi, W.; Schapendonk, A.; Davelaar, E.; Stoopen, G. M.; Pot, C. S.; De Visser, R.; Rhijn, J. A. Van; Gan, S.; Amasino, R. M. (2000-03-01). "Increased cytokinin levels in transgenic PSAG12–IPT tobacco plants have large direct and indirect effects on leaf senescence, photosynthesis and N partitioning". Plant, Cell & Environment. 23 (3): 279–289. doi:10.1046/j.1365-3040.2000.00544.x. ISSN 1365-3040.
- ^ Chibnik, Michael (1978-01-01). "The Value of Subsistence Production". Journal of Anthropological Research. 34 (4): 561–576. doi:10.1086/jar.34.4.3629650. JSTOR 3629650. S2CID 150769689.
- ^ McMichael, Philip (2009). "Feeding the world: agriculture, development and ecology". Socialist Register. 43: 170–194.
- ^ "Organic farming". Wikipedia. 2017-04-04.
- ^ Marinari, Sara; Mancinelli, Roberto; Campiglia, Enio; Grego, Stefano (2006-11-01). "Chemical and biological indicators of soil quality in organic and conventional farming systems in Central Italy". Ecological Indicators. 6 (4): 701–711. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2005.08.029.
- ^ 172577@au.dk (2017-03-21). "Agrobiology". bachelor.au.dk. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Study Agrobiology the Czech Republic — EuroEducation" (in Russian). Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ "Faculties: Agrobiology". www.kaznau.kz. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ "Journal of Agrobiology". Retrieved 2017-04-06.
External links edit
- "Journal of Agrobiology". University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. ISSN 1804-2686.
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