Agronomy
NC state university
Agronomy Definition
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, fiber, and land reclamation.
Careers for people who got a degree in agronomy include:
- field researcher
- lab researcher
- sales (seeds, fertilizer or chemical)
- technical representative
- farm manager
Chemical VS. Mechanical
Chemical
The erosion or disintegration of rocks
Caused by chemical reactions
Carbonation is a type of chemical weathering
- Carbonation is the mixing of water with carbon dioxide to make carbonic acid
Mechanical
The process of breaking big rocks into little pieces
Process usually happens near the surface of the planet
- The cool nights and hot days always cause things to expand and contract (that movement can cause rocks to crack and break apart)
Soil Facts
Soil Composition
- complex mixture of different materials.
- soil is a mixture of broken rocks and minerals, living organisms, decaying organic matter (humus), air and water
- 45% of soil is made up of mineral particles
- 25% is made up of air
- 25% is made up of water
- The last 5% of soil is made up of organic matter
*We have 1/2 of the amount of soil that we used to have about 1,000 years ago*
Soil Texture
- clay=soft
- silt=soft
- sand=grainy
- gravel=bumpy/rough
Soil Horizons
The main 4 layers are:
- Topsoil (the layer on the top)
- Subsoil (the second layer under the topsoil)
- Humus (the third layer under the subsoil)
- Bedrock (the layer on the bottom)
Rate of Soil Formation
- Soil formation requires weathering. The less weathering the soil is thinner. The more weathering the thicker the soil will be.
- Soil forms at a rate of about 1mm/year. However it can depend on the climate and the rock type.
- Soil forms quicker in hot and rainy areas. It forms slower in cold and dry areas.
Remote Sensing
Remote Sensing
Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information about objects or areas from aircraft or satellites.
Remote sensors collects data by detecting the energy that is reflected from Earth.
One remote sensing is LIDAR (Light Detective and Ranging). This satellite uses lasers and it is used by farmers to fertilize our crops which could help our soils.
Remote sensing is best way to measure climate change, which is very important.
Importance of soil
Soil is used for:
- Soils support roots and keep them upright for growth.
- Soils provide plants with essential minerals and nutrients.
- Soils protect plants from erosion and other destructive physical, biological, and chemical activity.
Common misuses of soil & The consequences
Soil stewardship & Advances In Agronomy
We hope this information makes you want to help out and become an agronomist at NC State and help save our soil/earth.